Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Loverick Bueno, Founder of The Fox Tail Boutique, located in Toronto, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I make handmade pet accessories for cats and dogs (bow ties and bandanas). We also make catnip toys for cats. Our customers are pet parents or people who are looking for gifts if they don't have pets of their own.
Tell us about yourself
I first started working at a pet store when I took a year off from university. My degree and hobbies always revolved around animals, and I wanted to study veterinary medicine. But during the years, my interest changed. During my gap year in 2013-2014, I wanted to find a new hobby since it was boring just going to work and coming home. I knew I liked working with my hands, and I started embroidery. When I was looking for more threads in my grandmother's sewing kits, I saw her sewing machine. I wanted to test it out and see if I could try to sew; it took me about a month to get a handle on the machine, and from there, it was a breeze. 6-7 years ago, I noticed when working at the pet store (I still currently work at) that there weren't any Canadian-made or handmade accessories for pets, so I asked the store owner if I could try to make bandanas to sell in the store. It was a hit; from there, I experimented with making catnip toys and then practiced making bow ties. To this day, where I still work, my products are there, and customers love the different patterns each year, especially during the Holidays. What motivates me in making pet accessories is the excitement of shopping for different fabric designs. Just stepping into a fabric store is so relaxing. The other thing that motivates me is the look on people's faces when they see their dog or cat with their products. Accessories can bring out a pet's personality just how we humans look in different outfits.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment is the learning aspect of my work, learning a completely different hobby than what I know in such a short amount of time.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The hardest part of being a business owner is getting your products out there and looking for what people want. Since there are a lot of fabric designs out there, not everyone will like what you made.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Learn new things because you'll find that one thing that you're really passionate about.
- Get yourself out there, go to events related to your business, meet new people and show them what you have to offer. Like me, it might take a while, but it'll pay off with perseverance.
- Don't stop looking for new ideas that might improve your business, and always keep an open mind to new things.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.foxtailboutique.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefoxtailboutique/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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