Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Jolly.
Hi Megan, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
In 2016 I adopted my first 2 dogs, Grizzly and Kona. I was working part-time then, only 20 years old, and just recently married with little to my name. Because I was so obsessed with my new dogs, I created an Instagram account just for their daily adventures. They needed to accessorize to look their very best online. To my surprise, I accidentally spent around $200 and some change on bandanas and bowties for my dogs in just one week, which shocked my husband.
From that week on, my husband made me promise not to spend another dime on accessories again. Because of my newest predicament, I decided to take it into my crafty hands. I thought, “If I couldn’t shop around, I would just make them myself.” Because these dogs still need to look good for their fans. Since I grew up sewing with my grandmother and great aunt, who were both seamstresses, crafting and sewing came naturally. They let me borrow one of their old sewing machines and helped me create my first pet bandana. To my surprise, I enjoyed everything that came with crafting. Sewing all day, hot gluing pieces together & ironing fabrics while listening to a podcast or playlist. I started creating accessories not only for my dogs but for my friends and families’ pets too. A few weeks later, I was encouraged to set up a booth at my local farmers market. I went with little expectation, but surprisingly, people loved my bandanas and bowties! Back then, the pet accessory world was pretty saturated, and many never considered accessorizing their fur babies.
I wanted to create Items that every kind of personality would enjoy, so fabric shopping was addicting and so much fun! As time passed, I dedicated myself to making the best products for my customers. I tried to fix Problems I found in other accessories I purchased. Saggy bowties? Through trial and error, I fixed that problem. Are Bandanas too thin to wear for over a year? I double-stitched to create sturdy bandanas that last. Because of the support from locals, friends, and family, I am where I am today.
It wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Some of the hardest things I had to overcome were comparing myself to others, having people tell me that my products aren’t worth the price (that my items are too expensive), or that what I do looks so easy, they can easily do what I do. For comparing myself to others: My goal wasn’t to create a million-dollar company, have hundreds and thousands of followers, and have multiple employees. My husband and I have always had a simple mindset to “keep doing WSWco if it makes you and others happy and if it pays for your bills. That’s even better.” I would see others set up shop and hit 10K in just a few months of opening, and id slowly climb up years later with the same follower count, hitting the same amount of sales, and sometimes I would feel that maybe there are better people out there doing what I do. But I know it isn’t true, and comparing leads to nowhere.
For the people telling me my products are too expensive: Those people don’t understand the hours, time, and work I put into creating items for markets and events, even for advertising, product photography, and setting up an online shop. I know it comes from ignorance, but If I could show them all the late nights and hours I put into creating my accessories, they wouldn’t say that to my face. My loyal customers also know my worth, so I’ll focus on those who appreciate my work.
For the people who tell me they can do what I do: In my 6 years of WSWco, I’ve experienced a handful of people walk into my booth and say that I make “easy money” and that they could easily do what I do and get up and set up at the same events I attend. Then they realize it’s farther from the truth. I’ve had 10+ pet accessory shops pop up in my area or online and decided to close down a year or two later. Farmers’ markets are challenging too. You must be the best salesman/woman to showcase your items and prove to your potential customers that it’s worth it. Some need the drive to do something like that. I love getting to know my customers; some have become my friends. When they pick an accessory, I want to make sure it matches their personality or their pets.
So throughout the years, I’ve learned to pay attention to myself and my small business WSWco. To focus on myself rather than others around me and to keep being me at markets- friendly, pleasant, and knowledgeable about my products. So even though these struggles pop up, It’s allowed me to stay in business for this long, so I know it’s working. COVID also took a huge impact because I couldn’t do markets. And half of my sales were from events. I was worried about how the business would do. I kept on going and saw a need to help make facemasks. Locals, my followers, and my customers all went online to support me, and it allowed me to make up for the loss of market sales and double my online sales to help keep me afloat.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I craft and create pet accessories for a living. Not only do I make pet bandanas and bowties: dog collars and leashes. I also make t-shirts, hats, and stickers. I’ve also expanded into the wedding world by creating floral collars and tuxedos that match the brides, grooms, or wedding colors for their special day. My online presence allows me to share organizational tips and tricks with fellow crafters. I can create content for those who enjoy seeing adorable animals in accessories being spoiled and loved. For weddings, the idea came through a suggestion from a client who wanted me to create something I didn’t offer, not thinking it would take off. I was surprised at how popular my Item has become. Since 2018, WSWco has been a part of 283+ weddings, and because of that, I can allow my brides/grooms to celebrate such a special occasion with their pets, which normally wouldn’t happen. And seeing those photos brings me so much joy because I am also an influencer in the pet world; I showcase & review Items through my pets page @fourjollypets. Sharing pet-friendly locations throughout Florida and quality dog/cat items, treats, and products that benefit our furbabies. I am so proud of how far I’ve come. 6 years later, I’m still doing something that I love. It also allows me to work from home and create my schedule, meet new dogs and cat-loving people, and travel around Florida working at so many cool events and local markets. It has supported my lifestyle, and it truly makes me happy. Only a few people get to have my lifestyle, and because of that, I am so grateful and proud of the things I create.
What’s next?
I want to jump from Etsy and create my online website, which will be a platform to purchase pet accessories, share tips for dog and cat parents, and showcase local pet businesses I recommend. For the future, I would love to have an employee to help shoulder some of the work because I’ve hit a fork in the road to where I can do as much as I can with where I am If I want to take it to the next level I know another extra pair of hands would do the trick. And who knows! Maybe my storefront!
Pricing:
- $15+ for Pet Bandanas
- $10+ for Bowties
- $35 for Collars
- $40 for Leashes
- $55+ For wedding Flower Collars
Contact Info:
- Website: www.woofsniffwagandco.etsy.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/woofsniffwag.co
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/woofsniffwag.co
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@woofsniffwag.co?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
Image Credits
Image 1 of 3 goldens at wedding- @kay.olszewski and @sarahnelsonphoto, Image 3 of Aussie “welcome to orlando” backdrop- @earth.to.mochi, Image 5 2 cats- @fourjollypets, Image 6 2 goldens with 2 people- @thegoldengrants, Image 7 1 woman 1 aussie blue bowtie- @the.lone.aussie_ranger and Ashlee Image of 2 corgis- @baronandleiacorgi, Image of bride with flower collar- @lucy_gooseygirl and Porter Kat Photography
