Rising Stars: Meet Amy DeMuth

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy DeMuth.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started? 
In 2020, when the world came to a halt, my adventure began. I have been a volunteer with the Triangle Beagle Rescue for several years, and we had to get creative with fundraising with in person events no longer happening. With face masks being in high demand, several volunteers began sewing. Always up for a challenge and wanting to help the beagles, I decided to borrow a sewing machine from a friend and taught myself to sew. It was a rocky start, but once I got the hang of it, I really enjoyed it! From there, I started making bandanas and bow ties. With encouragement and support from my family and friends, I created The Social Hound. I started small with attending pop events and an Etsy store. My products were recognized by some amazing businesses in the area and are now being sold at Dirty Dog Spa in Wake Forest, Mosa Pet Resort in Cary, and Hause of Dogs in Raleigh. All of these companies are women-owned small businesses, with a focus on giving back… a mission close to my heart. The Social Hound has also very recently opened a small boutique space in The Painted Tree in Cary. 

When I created The Social Hound, I wanted it to be something that would stand out and also help support local rescues. Keeping with my mission to make a difference in the lives of rescue dogs, I started donating five boxes of products each month to rescues and shelters around the triangle. Each box contains bandanas and bow ties that the dogs can wear to help draw a little extra attention in their photos. I continue to send out boxes every month to local rescues but have expanded my reach a little further. Donation boxes have made their way to Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, and Mississippi. I would love to be able to reach rescues in all 50 states one day! Along with donation boxes, The Social Hound donates gift baskets to rescue organizations for events and donates products for rescues to sell, with 100% of the proceeds going to that rescue. 

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?
So far, things have gone pretty well! As with any business, there are ups and downs. Good months and bad months. Thoughts of how am I going to keep up with all of this! Many cut fingers, broken sewing machines, and finding the occasional bow tie being chewed on by one of my three dogs. But when you are passionate about something, the good days outweigh the bad days. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
The Social Hound is one of many things that I do. I am a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and I hold a certificate in Applied Animal Behavior (UW-AAB). I work with children with Autism for my full-time career, and for the last 3 years I have been donating my expertise in animal behavior to assist with problem behaviors in foster and rescue dogs. I’m currently working towards my CBCC-KA certification. While doing all of that, The Social Hound came to be. I can honestly say I love all of it! I would say that I’m very proud of all of my accomplishments. I put my heart and soul into everything that I do. 

I am definitely proud of what The Social Hound has blossomed into. Since it started, I have met and built relationships with so many amazing people who share the same passion and commitment to animals as I do. Rescue is hard. The people who dedicate their time, energy, life, and love to those animals who are most in need are some of the most incredible people. Being able to add something as simple as a bow tie for pictures or creating gift baskets, mugs, shirts, etc. to help raise money for the hefty vet bills rescue organizations endure on a daily basis, is just a small way of helping out. 

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.
I would say hard work and dedication have played more of a role in my business than luck. The lucky part for me has truly been the relationships and friendships that have been created with people I otherwise may not have met. 

Contact Info:

• Website: thesocialhoundnc.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_social_hound/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085461840829