Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Craig-James.
Hi Katie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I guess we should start off with the story of my furry little best friend. Growing up, I ALWAYS wanted a dog, but my parents consistently opted for the easier choice: cats. Totally valid, as my dad was in the Navy and my brothers and I all played multiple sports. My parents (and mostly my mom while my dad was at sea) simply didn’t have time to also balance a dog. I always knew that I would someday adopt a dog of my own. I hadn’t been seriously looking yet when I stumbled upon the sweetest little face on Furry Friends of the Foothills Facebook page, but I saw him and I knew. I knew that “Danny” would soon be my perfect little Oakley. In a whirlwind of a weekend, I went just to “see” the small boy with floppy ears but ended up with him in a cart full of dog supplies just hours later. That funny, snuggly and sassy pup was exactly what I never even knew I was missing. Our bond was fast, and I became one of those crazy dog moms you hear about even faster. Oakley had every bandana, treat and toy under the sun.
Fast forward 13 months – Oakley’s ears are standing straight up and COVID hits.
I am, and always have been, a people person. I enjoy being surrounded by friends and family. So when COVID hit, and that wasn’t a possibility, I very quickly felt a shift in myself. I truly struggled with not being able to be the outgoing person that I always have been. With my husband still working through the pandemic, I turned to Oakley (and our three other animals in our household zoo) for comfort. We grew more and more dependent on one another as there wasn’t really anything else to do. As a teacher, I have also always been a really creative person. While in the midst of my lowest point, I knew I needed to form some sort of creative outlet. What better way than to make products for people just like me? People obsessed with their pets.
I turned to the dog mom Instagram community and my friends I had made there (never thought I would say I have internet friends) and ran some ideas by them. Then, Oakley Bear Designs was quickly born. As we near our one year anniversary as a shop, it is wild to think that what started out as just tumblers and mugs has expanded to now include shirts, signs, ornaments, camping mugs, glassware, stickers, sweatshirts and more!
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?
The road to building Oakley Bear Designs has most definitely not been a smooth one. There is SO much uncertainty around starting your own small business. I have spent hours and hours on Google, Instagram, different blogs, reaching out to creators asking a million questions. Almost a year out and I am still constantly looking for support. The biggest risk though, I have found, is simply getting started. It is really scary to get started. Thankfully, my parents supported me and my dreams and “invested” in my business to help me get going, but those first few weeks, I doubted myself like crazy. What if nobody likes my stuff? What if I make a mistake? What if I wasted all of this money to try? Owning a small business is so full of self-doubt. But much like with many things in life, the easy road is not usually the most fulfilling.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Oakley Bear Designs?
Oakley Bear Designs is a special business because every product is 100% handmade by me. I am a team of one (well, two if you include Oakley). I genuinely and truly make every product with love because I genuinely and truly love what I do. Giving dog parents a way to show off that they are proud dog parents really makes me happy!
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I have learned in the past year since starting Oakley Bear Designs is that you never know until you try. I have released so many different products since starting my business. Some have done extremely well and sold out in just a few days, some products did terribly and are still sitting on my shelves, but you absolutely do not know until you try.
I think another important lesson I have learned is the power of social media. So many of my sales come from my followings on Instagram and TikTok (@oakleybeardesigns on both). As a business owner, I encourage other small business owners to engage with their ideal customers on social media! It has been SO fun to connect with other dog parents and dog-related creators.
Pricing:
- Shirts/Sweatshirts – $25-30
- Glassware – $20
- Tote bags – $12
- Stickers – $3
- Bracelets – $7
Contact Info:
- Email: oakleybeardesigns@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/OakleyBearDesigns
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oakleybeardesigns/
