Today we’d like to introduce you to Tabitha Randall
Hi Tabitha, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I got my business idea when I was walking on the treadmill and was getting winded. I sat on the ground and my Aussie Kimber came up to me, and I was puffing for air and said to him “I really need to get my ass in gear”. Then I stared at him as a little comical cartoon lightbulb popped in my head and said “get my AUSS in gear!” I like puns and I thought it was perfect. I have never been good at creating things with my hands but I my sister knew how to sew so I asked if she wanted to do a business with me and that’s how it started.
We did some research on others who sell bandanas and made choices on want we wanted to get out there such as reversible bandanas so it is a two for one deal, making sure they had snaps, and using small businesses around Utah as much as possible to find different fabric prints.
We wanted the business to be two fold: not only to have “gear” for your dogs such as bandanas and paracord leashes that we offer, but also as a motivation to get yourself out there as well, be it working out, hiking, being active, and so forth.
My sister is currently taking a break from the business this year, so it has been a change taking over it mostly by myself since this past November.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No! I have a full time job, so this is all on the side, and I have dock diving with Henry, so time management has been an issue, especially since I’ve taken over solo.
Also, so far we have not made a profit. However the business is currently paying for itself to keep going finally this year.
I have several autoimmune issues that make it hard to get myself going sometimes or to literally be able to use my hands, so it can be frustrating but I enjoy making these products so much for people and their pets that I want to keep going.
Another struggle is having to put the money towards this, especially at the beginning, and applying for shows or events that sometimes cost a large amount of money or charge a fee on top of your items.
I’m actually very introverted unless it comes to dogs, so I had to learn to be a little more outspoken to stand up for myself or to meet new people to make people want to make a purchase as well, and on top of that making lasting connections with others in different sale communities to network.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
For this business our main products are reversible bandanas. We like to shop at local small fabric shops to find something different that what others are offering online where they’ve found items from the larger commercial stores.
Our logos are thought up by myself or my sister and I as a team and we have used a local artist to make our thoughts come to fruition. We then used a local small business to print our logos on clothing and hats for our pet parents to wear.
One thing that people have pointed out that they appreciate about our bandanas is that we have the reversible option as well as adding snaps on them for added security of them not falling off during play or being out on the town.
Another product that we’ve made good sales on are our 2, 4, and 6ft paracord leashes. We have a few in stock options but we like to make them per what people like so they can chose up to three colors with two different tie options so they are customizing the leash they want.
I’m proud that in a short amount of time I was able to learn and create something new when I never thought I’d be able to be a creative person like other people are. And that I’ve been able to work through health issues to actually make a product that people like. The most pride I get out of this is when someone sends me a picture of their animal in the product that I made for them. Each and every sale is special to me.
Any big plans?
I’d like to keep going. My biggest plan is to grow our Instagram. Unfortunately I did learn the hard way recently about using a company for gaining followers. They are a light image business but the followers I got were mostly bot, fake people, or people across the world that are not able to place purchases with us yet (since we have not reached the ability to do international orders yet). We were just under 1000 followers and now we’re around 4800, but it feels a little fake and impersonal to me. I want to earn the followers that I have from networking the right way.
The main thing though would be to continue putting out products that people enjoy. It’s what gives me joy.
I did apply for Cowboy Christmas and am on the waiting list for it, so I would be so grateful to be selected off of the waiting list to vend at such a large event and have more outreach.
Pricing:
- Leashes are $20-$35 depending on size (2, 4 or 6ft)
- Bandanas are $12-22 depending on size. Size options XS-XXL
- I have model codes on my Instagram for followers to use to save 15% on their orders
- At events we offer new followers in our page 10% off their orders if they show they’ve followed us
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Getyouraussingear.com
- Instagram: @getyouraussingear
- Facebook: Get Your Auss in Gear
