Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Arnett.
Lauren, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was living on my own in a big city far from my family. Needless to say, I got lonely at times and needed a companion. That’s when Asher my maltipoo came into my life, and the timing was perfect. He was this little bouncy three-pound ball of fur! After the first time he licked my face, I knew that he would forever be one of the most important things in my life!
Several months later, my boyfriend and I made a trip to Petsmart for puppy food, and that’s where we met Gray! He was up for adoption, and after playing with him for a while, we knew he was meant to be a part of our family.
I had always been inspired by small businesses and dreamed of having my own. I remember sitting at a coffee shop at the end of 2015. I was with my family on my birthday, and this strong sense of urgency came over me. I declared to them that this was my year to get out of my comfort zone and create something for myself. At the time I had no idea what that would be.
In the spring of 2016 after a couple of months researching all types of ideas and inspiration, the idea of creating pet bandanas came to mind. I owe a lot of that inspiration to Asher and Gray. I had a little bit of sewing knowledge, thanks to my grandmother for having the patience to teach me! There was a lot of trial and error at the beginning, but the more I made, the better I got! Since then I have expanded to bow ties, collars, hair bows, t-shirts, totes, and much more.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. When I started out, I had absolutely no clue what I was doing. There is definitely a lot to learn when it comes to running your own business, and a lot of speed bumps along the way. One of the struggles I faced with Asher and Gray Designs is navigating the online market space. I started out on Etsy which was great for me in the beginning. However, with each major change to the platform, it felt like traffic flow wasn’t predictable enough. This lead me to learn to build a website that I had more control over. There is a tradeoff though, while you end up with more control you are also responsible for bringing in the traffic. That was and still is an ongoing learning curve itself, but I really believe it is worth the effort.
Asher and Gray Designs – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Asher and Gray Designs is a handmade online business that specializes in trendy accessories for pets and their people. We are known for our adorable customizable bandanas, collars, bow ties, t-shirts, totes, and koozies.
I think what sets Asher and Gray Designs apart is that we were founded out of pure passion. First, it was about the love for my pets, and the joy they bring. Along with that, I noticed a steady shift in culture. People were starting to include their pets in more activities, they were starting to become more like their children. That sort of, “pets are family lifestyle” is at the heart of our brand. Lastly, I fell in love with the craft of handmade. Experiencing different pop-ups and seeing the attention and care people poured into their products really inspired me. So at every level really this whole concept was sparked from passion.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I think being able to live according to your own vision is how I would define success. One of the first steps to that is having the courage to step out of your comfort zone and pursue the things you dream about.
What I find important is not letting fear get in the way of something you really want to accomplish.
Pricing:
- Bandanas: $21.99
- Collars: $12 – $18
- Bow Ties: $9.99
- T-Shirts: $18.00
- Tote Bags: $12.00
- Youth T-Shirts: $12.00
- Koozies: $5.00
Contact Info:
- Website: www.asherandgraydesigns.com
- Email: asherandgraydesigns@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/asherandgraydesigns
- Facebook: http://facebook.com/asherandgraydesigns
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
