This business idea is for you if have some skills in designing and sewing clothes.
Or are you crafty and enjoy making jewelry and other accessories? Or do you work with wood or stone or clay?.
Well instead of creating fashion for humans, how about designing and creating clothes and accessories for pets?
There are people who are running hugely profitable small businesses doing this, especially considering the fact that Americans spend several billion dollars annually on their furry friends.
This would be a fun income opportunity and a business idea that could also satisfy your creative passions.
You can design, make (or have made) and sell various clothing items and accessories for pets. Your products can include sweaters, jackets, hats, scarves, goggles, booties, neckties etc.
You can also design unique, fun collars and pet jewelry too.
Alexis Creations
is an example of one dog designer's fashion ideas.
Another area to venture into if you are more of the artisan type is designing pet lifestyle products.
There is actually a
Pet Fashion Week
every year where new pet fashion and lifestyle products are unveiled.
If you like working with wood, clay or stone and would like another outlet you might want to design state of the art pet feeding bowls, or innovative ideas for kennels.
There is a world of inspiration out there for this business idea.
Just think about all the possibilities for pet jewelry. Jewelry is not just for us anymore, pet owners love to spruce up the little ‘Lady’ or ‘Fido’, with jewelry too!
Big Paws Designs
is a great example of a website catering to the demand for pet jewelry, and the creation and manufacture of pet jewelry is starting to become a lucrative business.
In fact, pet owners love to spruce up their pets, and themselves, in pet jewelry. Instead of buying jewelry only for their pets, or for themselves, they now venture into buying matching jewelry for both of them.
Some people really love their pets!
You can create any form of jewelry; made of sterling silver, pewter, or gemstones. Be as creative as possible to create jewelry designs that will entice both the pet and pet owner!
Any type of personalized accessories are always in demand too.
You could embroider collars, sweaters, etc. and make name or initial jewelry for pets. Check out business idea #2 –
Embroidered Pet Collars
for an alternative twist on this idea.
And if you happen to work with precious metal clay (or would like to) you could actually design and make luxury personalized pet tags from high quality sterling silver.
And people love to make a splash and attract attention.
Design pet clothing that resembles a dress that was worn by a famous celebrity in his/her wedding or at some important occasion or in a hit film.
Issue a press release for such a dress - (and if it catches media's attention, you might be flooded with requests for many of these dresses). Do not forget to give an interesting name to the dress.
You could also use this for costume ideas. And don’t forget ideas for holidays. If people want to dress up their pets, they would probably love to have pet costumes too!
Take a look at some of the websites listed in this article to see how other people are using this small business idea. And visit pet shop retailers to get an idea of what is currently popular in the markets.
You can either create similar designs or you can take a contrary approach and come up with absolutely different designs (e.g. use different color combination's, textures, etc).
This is one of those small business ideas that you can start at home.
You could start with designing, making and selling just 2-3 types of pet clothing or accessories (e.g. sweaters, jackets and hats for dogs and cats) and introduce more as business picks up pace.
Display your fabulous pet wear through a simple website.
Building a website
will give you much more exposure and a wider area to market your designs to.
Create a concise catalog (maybe just 4-5 pages) of your products so that your potential customers can easily see what you offer and place orders. Get a few copies of catalogs printed on good quality paper and get them laminated.
And also arrange to sell your products through pet shop retailers and/or directly to pet owners. Offer a good sales commission to pet shop retailers in order to encourage them to promote your product to their customers.
Besides selling through retailers, you should also exhibit and sell your fabulous products at pet shows, pet fairs, and other pet events.
You can even setup a small pet boutique at your home (just a small room with various clothing/accessories on display).
Also, advertise with local newspapers and pet magazines/websites. Put up flyers on bulletin boards at local grocery shops, restaurants, and veterinary clinics.
A pet fashion show would be a great way to show off your designs,> and you could offer to put one on as part of a local event or fund raiser, especially any animal related ones.
You could join together with other pet business owners in your area and plan a fund raiser event for a great cause like the local Humane Society. That would be a great way to get lots of exposure and publicity and you would also be giving back to your community too.
You could also try selling your wares on eBay, you never know what might sell there so it’s always worth a try.
I have included some of the current listings below for handmade dog sweaters.
And be sure to dress up your pet and your friends pets and take them out for walks in public places.
Nothing builds a business more than attracting attention and spreading interest through word of mouth. Be sure to have your business cards with you!
