Daily Inspiration: Meet Sandie Martin

 

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sandie Martin

Hi Sandie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I worked Commercial Real Estate on the west coast for 40 years. I moved to North Carolina 6 years ago and after communing to the west coast for 3 years decided to retire. I still do some consulting for various developers.

Black, standard poodles have always been my hobby. 5 years ago, I bought a champion bred poodle (Penndragon Shaken Not Stirred: Bond) but due to covid restrictions, I could not show him. I started an Instagram account and was able to grow to 49,400 followers. I used him to promote some products but have been very selective. 6 months ago, I bought another champion bred, black standard poodle (Penndragon After The Storm: Brooks) and have him in 3 training classes a week (including confirmation to prep him to show).

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?
Promoting products has been difficult because I have to believe in the product and the price point has to be right. The last 5 years has been a learning curve. Bond is very striking in his continental cut and gets a lot of attention but he is skittish. Difficult to work with in crowds. Brooks has a much better temperament and I’m looking forward to being more active with him.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As a creator on Instagram, I’m in a dog world. Millions of dogs in all shapes and sizes. I’m extremely proud of my poodles (Brooks is my 5th). What sets me apart is a black standard poodle in a continental cut. I educate people on the breed and history of the cut. When I take them out, everyone knows they are poodles but they have never seen one in a continental. Quite the sight. We stop traffic.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
After 40 years in a high profile, commercial real estate career which included acquisitions/operations/dispositions/redevelopment of office buildings, industrial, retail and hotels. My portfolio was nationwide which meant I spent a lot time on a plane, it’s nice to simplify things and be in a place that makes people smile.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: StandardPoodleBBB
• Facebook: Sandie Martin