So as you all know I love to support local and started a #girlboss segment where we could share, learn and inspire! During lock down, we are going to do a whole lot of these to highlight these businesses – many of which are taking HUGE strain during this time – and shed some awareness and love to all.
So I would like to introduce to you the most beautiful hand made, proudly South African doggie inspired products! I have followed Samantha for years on Instagram because I also have a Scottie and us Scottie lovers stick together! She has started to make the most beautiful items and I had to share with you.
Let’s see what Samantha, the Founder of The Pup Tart had to say!
You started your own business – How did you go about this?
It was actually not planned at all. Last year in March, I was driving to work one morning and thinking about how all the Scottie-obsessed Scottie owners rush out to buy anything with a Scottie on it (myself included!).
I realised with my background in graphic & fashion design that I could design better quality, less commercial, doggie-inspired merchandise.
Over the course of the next few days I came up with a few names, chose one and designed the logo. About 6 weeks later my little Cinnamon fell ill and within a week I lost her. I hit a brick wall and couldn’t look at anything I had started for a while. I then realised I needed to carry on to honour her life, and finished making up the samples I had started.
What are the top 3 learnings you have had to find out the hard way since starting your own business?
Starting up a business, especially one making time-consuming items is very tricky when you work full-time. I have never really had the time to dedicate as much to this as I need to.
Your idea may not take off as well as it did in your mind, but you must have faith, and persevere as nothing great ever happens overnight.
Launching a retail business in the current economic climate was also possibly not the best timing, but I will ride it out and see what the future holds 🙂
Where do you see your business heading in the next few years? Once we have gotten over the effects of the lock down.
I’m hoping to start going to markets. I think once people actually hold and feel the products and see how well mad, and what great quality they are and they are, they will see better value in purchasing them.
What is your advice to women out there wanting to start their own businesses but are too scared?
Be brave, be fierce. Women are much stronger than men, if they can do it, we can do it better!
Tell us 2 things that are the BEST part about owning your own business and make it all worth while?
I love being able to earn a bit of income while doing all the things I love most – sewing, painting, creating in general.
Part of the vision of my little business was to raise funds to assist animal rescue organisations. A portion from each and every sale gets donated, for example, R15 from every Scottie dog item purchased goes to Scottish Terrier Rescue South Africa. I really hope I can grow the business, so that I can help them out more
——->(MAUGHIN) – So Mac our Scottie was re-homed with us through the Scottish Terrier Rescue Society. They do the most incredible work, re-homing Scotties and every donation goes a very long way!
Are you looking at moving towards an online store?
Definitely, I am looking into adding my range to an online store!
——————-<3
Check out the Pup Tart on Instagram and Facebook! Share the love, follow and place orders directly with Samantha.
She is also running a competition currently! WIN a scatter cushion, a tote bag and a hand painted pin board in your choice of dog breed! a matching hamper will go to an animal shelter to auction off for much needed funds. So find The Pup Tart on Facebook, like and share the post, tag your doggie friends and tag an animal shelter who you would like to benefit from this competition. EASY PEASY!
Comments are closed.