Pooch & Poodle

Pooch & Poodle was born with the aim of breaking the mold for dog-themed apparel, but its beginnings were anything but revolutionary. Just a few friends routinely throwing ideas for their planned venture on the table.

Between them they had design, marketing, and business skills – perfect for almost any kind of business. What they lacked was a common passion. Little did they know the idea they were looking for was actually under the table, in the form of Jarvis the Cocker Spaniel. Each of them had had dogs for as long as they could remember. None of them had thought of them as the focus for a possible venture.

“Once we started taking the idea seriously, we took a hard look at the market and quickly realized that it was overrun with endless variations of the same ‘tacky’ t-shirts, hoodies and mugs. It was as if someone had decided that dog lovers were a group of unsophisticated ‘stay-at-homers’ who liked to lounge around in ‘take-away’ t-shirts.”

The team didn’t buy it. They were dog lovers themselves and knew there must be others like them. Others who wanted to be able to express their love of dogs in any setting, and with style. Undeterred, the team decided they would ‘make the market’. Leveraging their design and marketing skills.

So, they began to create apparel with stylish, low-key, minimalist designs that could be worn equally at the dog park, trendy café’s, garden parties or while lounging around at home … you name it. So far, it looks as if the market agrees.

“Sales are now steady and growing, but at first you could hear a pin drop. For the initial launch we went with a big-bang approach – a flurry of social media and paid advertising campaigns that turned out to be seriously underwhelming. Luckily, we realized that because we were creating the market it made sense that a grass roots, organic approach was needed to grow the brand. In any case, it’s finally paying dividends”.

But it’s not just about the aesthetic. Quality and sustainability are also integral to the brand. Pooch & Poodle’s unisex tees, for example, are made in low waste, low-emission manufacturing facilities and from the highest quality cotton. Making them among the most sustainably produced, soft, and durable t-shirts available on the market.

Now that the human apparel and accessories side of the business is on an even keel, the team have introduced a carefully sourced and curated range of products for pooches, too. Stylish dog accessories that include leashes, harnesses, feeding bowls and, of course, clothing.

And that’s not the end of the story. The next chapter is already being written:
“We’re finalizing discussions with a well know rescue centre to donate a percentage of profits on EVERY sale. The partnership will be central to our business, as well as the way we do business.”

The Pooch & Poodle article on ‘Five Little Known Social Benefits of a Visit to Your Local Animal Shelter’ provides further information on the importance of supporting local animal rescues and shelters and reflects the team’s philosophy of ‘adopt over buy’.

For more information about Pooch & Poodle, please visit our website at www.poochandpoodle.com.