Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Koss.
Melissa, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I never knew what my life was missing until the day I got my first puppy, Link. He became my best friend and closest confidant. I was *and still, am* spoiling him rotten. I was buying him toys he did not need because empty water bottles fulfilled his happiness just fine. I was purchasing too many treats for just one dog to have and also I was showering him with bandanas and accessories he reluctantly let me put him in. One day my husband purchased a sewing machine (yes, just randomly purchased a sewing machine) and as he put it off to the side, (because let’s face it, he and I both knew he was not going to be the one to use it) he let out a little chuckle and said “maybe you should make dog bandanas.” So that night I watched a few YouTube tutorials and made my first dog bandana. It was way too small to fit Link, and the stitching was all over the place. With a few different trial and errors, I made a bandana that Link and I both approved of. After posting to social media the masterpiece of a bandana that I made, friends and family wanted one as well, and from there Link & Co. By Melissa began.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Thanks to social media, running my Etsy business has gone smoother for me than I deserve. I do have weeks where it is hard to stir up people to order, but all in all, I can’t complain. I have met some amazing dog parents along the way and I got to be apart of a pop-up event at Art Space 111 in Fort Worth. I am also a full-time college student at Midwestern State University and photographer so the only downfall or challenge I would say is trying to juggle everything at once.
Please tell us about Link & Co. By Melissa.
Link & Co. By Melissa is primarily a dog bandana and bowtie business on Etsy. I occasionally make resin and ink art for the dog parents to enjoy, such as bookmarks, key chains, and coasters. But I would say Link & Co. is most known for our Bohemian Bandana Collection and twine centered bowties.
There are a lot of things about my little company that makes me proud but number one is the customers that I have. I have such down to earth, amazing people who purchase from me and who help represent my shop. Following along with Link & Co. By Melissa on Instagram, you will see our band of models and without them, it would be hard to be where I am at today!
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Technique! The style my bandanas are in now are completely different from when I started. The transition from style and technique has helped financially, so I am not wasting as much fabric anymore, which is nice!
Pricing:
- Bohemian Bandanas – $15
- Regular Bandanas – $10 – $13
- Bowties and Sailor Bowties – $5 – $7
- Resin Bookmarks – $8
Contact Info:
- Website: etsy.com/shop/linkandcobymelissa
- Instagram: linkandcobymelissa
- Facebook: linkandcobymelissa
Image Credit:
Product photos taken by Link & Co. By Melissa; Dog Models on Instagram: @ohboyotis, @maggieb3ar, @rescuingbentley, @alohakiki808, @adventuresofrockythegreat
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.
Flooring Guy
April 20, 2019 at 5:28 am
Kudos to the internet! I set out looking for some info about labs and ended up here on the dog bandana page. That grey dog is so beautiful. Too big for my place, but wow, what a great looking dog. I do like the bandanas too!