When we first set out to create our own collection of enriching dog toys and supplies, we had one major obstacle staring us in the face: we had absolutely zero experience in creating products from scratch.
What we did have, though, was a deep love for dogs, a desire to make their lives richer, and a designer’s instinct for how thoughtful products should function and feel. Those early motivations became the foundation of everything that followed.
Starting with what we knew
Although we were new to the world of product development, we were not strangers to design. As designers ourselves, we understood the creative process, the importance of research, iteration, prototyping, and refining until something feels just right. That familiarity gave us a solid starting point, even if the world of materials, manufacturing, and safety testing was brand new territory.
We began the way many great projects do: by looking at our own experiences with our dogs. What did they love? What did they need? What frustrations did we run into as dog owners when searching for toys that were both engaging and well made? Those everyday moments inspired the first sketches.
Learning as we went
Every step after that was equal parts exciting and daunting. We dove into material studies, consulted with industry experts, tested prototypes with our own dogs (who were more than happy to help), and learned to balance durability, enrichment value, and aesthetic design.
There were mistakes, of course, samples that did not hold up and ideas that looked better on paper than in reality, but each one pushed us closer to a collection we were proud of.
Designing with purpose
What guided us through the challenges was a clear mission: to create enriching dog products that are thoughtfully designed, safe, and genuinely enjoyable. Not just cute. Not just durable. But truly meaningful for both dogs and their humans.
Our background in design helped us consider every detail, from the feel of the materials to the shape that encourages natural play behaviors. It allowed us to blend function with form in a way that felt authentic to our values.
The beginning of something bigger?
Looking back, starting with zero product creation experience was not a setback. It was an opportunity. It forced us to stay curious, ask questions, and approach every decision with fresh eyes.
What began as a personal project born from our own experiences has grown into something so much more, a collection created with intention, informed by design, and inspired by the dogs who bring so much joy into our lives.
And this is only the beginning.
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