by Jessika Hepburn, Editor
Our Meeting the Makers theme is so fun! I am loving the chance to meet so many makers and find out a bit more about the people behind the business. Today we have a treat for dog lovers-we’re meeting Leslie of Chloe’s Collars and the puppies who inspire her creations + offering a fun giveaway for your fuzzy friend. Chloe’s Collars is a great example of a niche business that began when Leslie she couldn’t find what she wanted on the market-now a growing demand for her lovely leashes and collars has her thinking of quitting her day job and running her biz full time. The twists and turns of creative life are so interesting!
I caught up with Leslie by email to ask her some questions about Chloe’s Collars and her life as a maker…
Hi Leslie! Thanks for visiting us and sharing your super cute business, Chloe’s Collars with us. Tell us a bit about your story & how you came to start your business.
I am a huge animal lover and big on crafts. I have always found it hard to find stylish and unique dog collars in my local pet stores, so I started making my own collars for my two adorable dogs, Chloe (Standard Poodle) and Izzy (Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier). Over the years I have gotten many compliments for my distinctive and one of a kind designs from everyone who saw them. I got the idea to start Chloe’s Collars after several friends and family asked me to make them collars for their pets. I find great pleasure in sharing my love of dogs and stylish products with others. I put love and care into each collar that I make, in hopes that my customers get as much joy from them as I do.
You obviously must love animals~introduce us to your furry friends and how they have helped pick the path you are on now.
{Izzy, Chloe and Riley (bottom right)}
I grew up around dogs my whole life. My first family dog was a Chesapeake Bay Retriever named Riley. He was the best dog; loyal, well behaved, had great tricks (like fetching rocks out of the lake), and just an overall great best friend! He started my love affair with dogs.
When I turned 18 I decided I wanted a dog of my own, and along came Izzy. He is a very mellow mannered dog and just so stinkin cute! After having him for about 3 years, I decided I wanted to get another dog. My husband who grew up around Standard Poodles introduced me to the breed. That is when I found Chloe! She is more of an inspiration for my designs than Izzy, because let’s face it, girls just have to look fashionable ALL the time! Her personality is very high energy, loyal, cuddly, and regal! She demands to get petted and thinks she is queen! They are a great match together and will both always hold a special place in my heart.
This month is our Meeting the Makers theme on Oh My! Handmade. We would love to get to know more about you-take us on a tour of your studio, show off your home, tell us about a day in the life etc…
My name is Leslie Presley. I grew up and currently live in Fort Wayne, Indiana. I work full time as a floral designer in a local family owned flower shop, and someday hope to make Chloe’s Collars my full time job. Summertime is very busy at the flower shop with weddings, which is my favorite part of being a floral designer. I love the detailed work of putting together corsages and boutonnieres that people wear. When I am done with my day job, I come home to work on Chloe’s Collars. In-between the stress of life’s daily chores, I manage to get done all orders and work on making more products for upcoming craft shows or local farmers markets.
My husband and I got married 2 years ago and have been steadily growing our life together. We purchased a wonderful home a year ago and that is where I make the magic of Chloe’s Collars happen. I currently use my small spare bedroom as my studio. It also functions as an office and my husband’s storage for his guitars (which you can see in the pictures). My work area is small, but functional and it works great for right now.
What have been the biggest struggles & successes of running a small business so far?
The biggest struggle I have come along is managing my time. I also go to college part-time and will graduate in the fall with an associate in business management. Working, school work, and trying to get all collar orders out has keep me very busy. While I like being busy, I also would like to have more time to spend doing activities that doesn’t involve any of the above mentioned.
We all have hopes and dreams for our businesses-what are yours? Do you have any exciting news or plans to share with us?
My main goal for Chloe’s Collars is to grow. In the future I would like to have more wholesale accounts and get my products in pet boutiques around the world. I love the arts and crafts community and being a part of it. Craft shows and Art Fairs are something I would love to be more involved in. I think it is a great way to get your name out there locally and also for networking. Someday I hope that Chloe’s Collars can be a full time job for me.
Now for the giveaway! Leslie is offering one winner a chance to get both a leash & collar of your choice valued at $54USD. This includes any style or size in her shop & is open internationally!
Enter to win by:
Visiting Chloe’s Collars on Etsy & letting us know your favorite item(s)
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Get extra entries by leaving a separate comment (1 comment=1 entry) for:
- Adding Chloe’s Collars to your Etsy favorites
- Liking Chloe’s Collars on Facebook
- Following @ChloesCollars on Twitter
- Tweeting about this giveaway (please mention @ohmyhandmade)
- Posting this giveaway to your Facebook wall or page (please tag @oh my handmade goodness-you have to like us first!)
- Blogging about this giveaway with a link back to this post
EXTRA!!! Leslie is offering Oh My! Handmade readers a 15% discount on anything in her shop by using coupon code: OHMYHANDMADE at checkout!!!
This giveaway closes next Monday, July 4th at midnight EST with the winner chosen randomly and announced Tuesday, July 5th at the bottom of this post.
by entering this giveaway you are agreeing to the oh my! handmade goodness giveaway policies
