Meet the women behind BDE and how they navigate the dog-eat-dog world of the dog accessories business!
Meet Yaz
What’s your background?
I turned 30 on Friday (eek!) and currently work in marketing. Alongside this and BDE, my boyfriend and I are also in the process of setting up an outdoor wedding venue so you could say things have been busy during lockdown! I’ve always loved art and design, so within my marketing jobs I’ve really enjoyed the creative side of the work and love finding new ways to create fun and interesting ways to communicate with people.
What made you want to set up a business like BDE?
Chloe and I have been friends for about 20 years (!?) and when we both got puppies during the start of lockdown (they were planned before lockdown, I promise!), we were buying so many accessories for them before coming to the realisation that we could do it ourselves.
I couldn’t think of a better business partner than Chloe – we’re both as dog mad as each other and she brings fab ideas, as well as her amazing graphic design skills, into the mix! Chloe’s mum, Juliet is also an illustrator so she’s been a great help too.
How important is it for women to lift each other up and what does that mean to you?
Lifting up other women is so important and it’s something that we really try to shout about where we can. We have so many amazing, creative female friends, and we love to support small female-run businesses. We are actually going to start a feature on our social channels where we highlight small businesses each Sunday.
Do you think there are any issues facing women your age who want to start their own business?
Often women my age think they’ve gone ‘past’ setting up their own business and that they should stick with the career they’re in. This isn’t the case! You can start up a side hustle or go straight into a new business venture whenever your want. The only thing stopping you is your own self doubt. You do you!
On International Women’s Day, what advice would you give to a woman looking to start up their own business?
Go for it! It can feel really overwhelming and it’s often easier to come up with an idea and just put it on the shelf as it seems too difficult to even know where to start (getting started is often the hardest part). There is so much help and advice online... the most important thing is a great idea!
And lastly… show us your favourite picture of Bronte!
Meet Chloe
What’s your background?
I'm 29 years old and have been working in a graphic design/print studio role for around (nearly) 8 years now. I’ve also got a little art and design business called YouBloom which I run with my mom,
What made you want to set up a business like BDE? It came from being passionate about art and illustration, and also, (most importantly!) dogs. Between Yaz and myself, we had the drive to want to create dog apparel using our own designs and artwork. We both got our doggies a similar time, and both found ourselves looking for fun, colourful and bold dog harnesses, but weren’t able to find any. We both have a creative side, with Yaz being amazing at illustrations, so we thought why don’t we do it ourselves!
How important is it for women to lift each other up and what does that mean to you? It’s SO important! 'Celebrate her success without questioning your own' When I was younger, this is something I guiltily didn’t do! However, the older I’ve got, the more I’ve realised it’s NOT woman vs woman. We have it hard enough! Do you think there are any issues facing women your age who want to start their own business? I don’t feel there are too many issues anymore! I think these days, there’s so much support out there, regardless of your gender and age. On International Women’s Day, what advice would you give to a woman looking to start up their own business? Do it!! If it does feel intimidating and overwhelming, regardless of the industry you’re in, I would definitely recommend speaking to someone from The Prince’s Trust. They are amazing, especially with helping young people!
And lastly… show us your favourite picture of Buddy!
Want to ask team BDE a question, or just find out what Buddy's dreaming about?
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