Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in pet care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Amanda Stayton, owner of Cheerful Hound, located in Gahanna, OH, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

At Cheerful Hound, we make photo-worthy dog accessories that help dogs "Be the Talk of the Dog Park." We serve dogs and their pup parents who love to lavish their dogs with love and confidence. We specialize in unique styles to help dogs express themselves and turn heads wherever they go and currently offer dog collars, leashes, bandanas, bow ties, and collar flowers. We're dedicated to giving back to local dog rescues, and each month we feature a different dog rescue, donating a portion of that month's sales.

Tell us about yourself

I've always had a love for dogs, and I started in the pet industry working as a Pet Photographer. I loved serving the dog community and noticed how the right dog accessories could add a fun element to pet portraits. They seemed to help boost a dog's confidence and how people would have such positive reactions to seeing a dog wearing fun designs.

I had started to make my own dog, Toby collars, and dreamed of creating a small business where Toby could work by my side. My dog Toby is the inspiration behind Cheerful Hound and the smiling face you see in our logo.

Cheerful Hound was started in late 2018 out of a desire to spread happiness to dogs and their owners everywhere through our bright and cheerful designs, carefully crafted for your best friend. It is our hope that our designs help your dog to "Be the Talk of the Dog Park" and brighten your day and the day of everyone who sees your dog. Our styles are also great options to help your dog look their best for photos, whether they be casual, candid photos on your phone, or furry family formals by a professional.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Thanks to pup-stomer support, our small business has grown from operating out of our spare bedroom, and we now have three local women who help us to create quality accessories for dogs and their people to enjoy. Cheerful Hound accessories are now worn proudly by dogs coast to coast in the USA. As a result of the growth, we've been able to give back to Dog Rescues in the USA through our Rescue of the Month Program.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

One of the biggest challenges in small businesses is uncertainty and taking risks. But I find that the uncertainty can be exciting and push you to learn, make decisions, and create new opportunities in business. Someone once told me that, 'in life, there are no right answers, only best solutions. It's a motto I try to live by each day. Don't pursue perfection, but go with the best solution based on the information you have.

But most importantly - keep moving forward! Don't allow yourself to be frozen by uncertainty or fear; take action. Even if things you try are not successful, use it as a learning experience and use what you've learned to make future decisions.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Be patient - Everything always takes longer than you think, and sometimes it can take a few tries to figure things out. Make sure you have enough capital and reserves to get going and test things for the first couple of years.
  2. Done is better than perfect. It's better to do something 90% good and get it done so you can move on to the next thing than to get stuck striving for perfection and never making progress towards your goals. Implementation is always key.
  3. Always be learning! Find some great mentors and teachers that you can learn from. There are so many different skills needed in small business, and fortunately, we live in a time where there are lots of great resources to expand your knowledge; you just have to know where to look and not be afraid to ask for help. I've found some of the best teachers are other small business owners who have started where you are and have grown their businesses.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

As your business grows, don't be afraid to add team members to come on the journey! With the right people on your team, your business can grow faster, and you'll have a lot of fun working with them too.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://cheerfulhound.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CheerfulHound/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheerfulhound/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.