Today we’d like to introduce you to Lizzy Sawyer.
Hi Lizzy , thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Growing up in a tumultuous household, the only safe place I had was with the family pets. They were my constant source of comfort and the reason I learned just how powerful it is when an animal feels loved. That bond only deepened as I got older. After finishing my initial Army training, I adopted my first rescue, Gunner, from the Humane Society in Minnesota and everything clicked. Every dog who has come into my life since has shown me how much love and resilience exists in animals who didn’t get the best start. With each year and each experience, my passion for animal welfare grew stronger.
In January 2024 I took a leap and taught myself how to sew. I sat in my living room with a basic machine on a little dinner stand by the couch and made my first bandana. It wasn’t perfect, but it was filled with purpose. That small beginning became Evening Arts, a mission driven business rooted in second chances, using sustainability through secondhand materials, creativity, and heartfelt advocacy. Every accessory we make reminds the world that rescue animals are worthy of joy, celebration, and the chance to thrive in a loving home.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Starting a mission driven business hasn’t come without challenges. Pet accessories are a very saturated field, and it can be difficult to stand out among so many incredible makers. The economy has also made growth hard for small, local businesses that rely on community support and market sales. There have been moments where I’ve questioned myself, especially while balancing Evening Arts with my full time career, sewing late at night to keep things moving forward.
Rescue work brings its own challenges. Not everyone is ready to face how overwhelming the shelter crisis truly is, so asking people to volunteer, foster, or engage isn’t always easy. Still, even with these obstacles, my commitment hasn’t wavered. I show up because the animals deserve someone who does.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
The Evening Arts Shelter Support Program is a day-long enrichment and marketing initiative designed to support shelters across Utah and give adoptable animals the visibility they deserve. Every two months, we visit a different shelter and bring a full team of volunteers and community partners who are dedicated to improving the lives of the animals temporarily housed there. We source everything ourselves, from the volunteers who work one-on-one with the animals to like-minded small businesses who donate services and expertise.
During the event, animals spend about five hours outside of their kennels rotating through personalized stations. These can include professional photographers for updated headshots, grooming services to help them feel and look their best, cooperative care and confidence building with trainers, body handling work with massage therapists or chiropractors, and tailored enrichment activities. Ahead of each visit, we also gather thousands of dollars in donations based on each shelter’s current needs, ensuring they have tangible resources long after we leave.
Our goal is simple. We want every animal to feel seen, valued, and loved while helping shelters find them the right homes. By pairing hands-on time and advocacy with strategic marketing and networking, we are working to give every pet a better chance at the happy ending they deserve.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
When it comes to mentorship and networking, I’ve learned that the most important thing is to genuinely connect with people. Take the time to understand who you’re working with and what they care about. Ask questions about their mission and goals and look for the places where your passions align. And don’t be afraid to simply ask. Ask for guidance, ask for collaboration, ask if they’d like to get involved. Most people want to help make a difference, they just need someone to show them where they’re needed. Building real relationships, rooted in shared purpose, has been the biggest key to growing Evening Arts and our Shelter Support Program.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.eveningarts.store
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eveningartspetaccessories?igsh=MTlhbWRmcjFxYnhmYg==
