Today we’d like to introduce you to Eileen Sieck.
Hi Eileen, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
In April of 2020, my fiancé and I got our dog, Sully. As most dog parents do, I was spending a lot of money buying things online for Sully. I was obsessed with new toys, treats, and other accessories for him. As a full time teacher, when school buildings closed in Spring of 2020, I decided I needed something to do with my time at home. Since I have been in high school, I have known how to sew. I wanted to try making dog bandanas for Sully because most of the bandanas I had bought for him were thin, flimsy, and way too expensive for what they really were.
I wanted to find a way to make ones that were durable and inexpensive. Once I figured out how to make a tiny bandana for him, I experimented with other sizes and ultimately came up with my own patterns for extra small, small, medium, large, and extra large tie-on, reversible bandanas. From there, I made a logo, an Etsy page, and an Instagram account to advertise. Ever since that day, I have learned a lot about running a business. I recently built my own website and started to make over the collar bandanas in four different sizes.
Each season, I drop bandanas that align with the season or holiday associated to that time of year, and I try to come up with new collections each month. I also have learned to love different pop-up events and farmers markets in the Kansas City area. It has been a labor of love and definitely difficult at times during the school year, but I see it as a hobby more than “work.”
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like I said before, it has definitely been a labor of love. The first four months of my business I was able to solely focus on working on bandana orders.
Once school returned to in-person in September 2020, I had to learn to balance both. There have been a lot of moments where I wanted to just stop.
Sometimes it can get overwhelming to balance sewing a bunch of bandanas while also making sure I am being a great teacher. I have learned about planning ahead for each new collection and making a timeline for pre-making all bandanas before a launch. This has alleviated a lot of stress about any new collections I have coming and allowed me to balance both teaching and running this business.
We’ve been impressed with Canine Cotton Co., but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Canine Cotton Co. is an online dog boutique that specializes in durable, in-expensive bandanas. All bandana patterns come in either reversible tie-on or double-sided over the collar. The bandanas I make are truly two bandanas in one. The tie on bandanas can be worn on either side that features a cute print on either side of the bandana. The over the collar bandanas have a print on the reverse side to make the bandana thicker, and therefore, more durable for dog play. All bandanas are machine washable as well.
I am most proud of how I came up with each of these patterns myself. The first five patterns I created were made out of lined notebook paper and scotch tape. I still use those patterns when I cut fabric to this day.
In addition to all the fun prints I already have available, I am always taking custom orders. The most common custom order I take is sports team bandanas. I try to keep local teams in stock at all times, but I have made custom bandanas for most NFL teams, lots of unique college teams, and even hockey.
What matters most to you? Why?
Customer happiness matters the most to me. I love receiving pictures of dogs in their bandanas from a happy customer. It makes me feel good about the time I put into each product to see the outcome in real life.
Pricing:
- $10 for reversible tie on bandanas
- $12 for double-sided over the collar bandanas
- clearance prices ranging from $3-$8 for previous collections
Contact Info:
- Email: caninecottonco@gmail.com
- Website: www.caninecottonco.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/caninecottonco
- Facebook: facebook.com/caninecottonco
