PAWTALKS WITH DOG BANDANA CO.

What was the inspiration behind Dog Bandana Co.?

In 2017, I adopted a dog who started out as a tiny 7-pound pup but quickly grew to over 100 pounds. I’ve always loved dressing up my dogs, but I struggled to find accessories—like bandanas—that would fit his size. Remembering a sewing class I took in high school, I decided to make a few bandanas for him myself.

My dog, Cash, even has his own Instagram (@busterandcash), where I began sharing photos of him wearing the bandanas. Before long, our Instagram friends with larger pets started asking where they could get bandanas like his—and the rest is history! What started as a fun, creative project turned into an unplanned, organic business.

How does your brand differ from other industry brands in the same category? What gives you the competitive edge?

Our bandanas are made from lightweight, soft, and machine-washable material, ensuring comfort and durability. Each one is double-sided, giving you two unique prints in a single bandana. Designed with both style and functionality in mind, our seasonal tie-and-snap pet bandanas feature a secure tie-around fit with an added snap closure for extra hold.

Describe the ingredients you look for in the products you use.

We prioritize durability, comfort, and machine-washable materials when crafting our bandanas. After testing several fabrics, we found the perfect material that checks all the boxes. Our customers often share how impressed they are with the durability and how effortlessly the bandanas hold up to washing!

"I’ve always loved dressing up my dogs, but I struggled to find accessories—like bandanas—that would fit his size. Remembering a sewing class I took in high school, I decided to make a few bandanas for him myself."

Walk us through your development process — from ideation to the product we see on the shelf.

We release four bandana collections each year: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Holiday/Winter. Most of our prints are custom-designed in collaboration with a professional designer. The process typically begins with me sharing an idea and inspiration for the design. I also create a unique color palette for each design to keep our collections fresh and avoid repeating the same shades. Along with the palette, I provide details about any specific design elements I’d like to include.

From there, the designer brings the concept to life, and we go through several rounds of edits to perfect it. Once the final design is ready, I send it to our fabric printer for sampling. This step ensures the colors print correctly, often involving sharing Pantone references to match the design precisely. After confirming the sample meets our standards, we begin production to create the bandanas.

One of my personal goals for 2025 is to take my growing graphic design skills to the next level by designing and releasing my own pattern!

What are some things you take into consideration during the creation of new products?

We focus on understanding the needs of pet parents—thinking about the challenges they face and exploring how our products can provide practical solutions.

Other than Dog Bandana Co., what is something you are passionate about?

My dog Cash recently became a certified therapy dog, and we’ve been making therapy visits around Nashville. Volunteering and helping others has always been a passion of mine, and this has become a wonderful new way for us to bring smiles to people all over town.

What is one major lesson you learned about running a business?

There are so many tools and resources available to business owners that can help with small tasks and organizational needs. Initially, I was hesitant to use these services, but when I finally came around to them, I realized how far behind I was. The thought of setting everything up years into my business felt overwhelming. Looking back, I wish I had prioritized staying organized from the very beginning.

What are some challenges you have overcome with Dog Bandana Co.?

The pet accessories market is highly competitive—every person with a sewing machine seems to want to start a pet bandana business. Over the years, I’ve seen many businesses come and go, and I used to spend too much time and energy worrying about the competition. Now, I focus solely on my brand, creating the best possible products, and refining my marketing to better serve my customers."

What would you say is your most effective marketing channel?

Instagram has always been our top platform. From the very beginning, even before we started doing any formal marketing, Instagram has been the foundation of our business—and that hasn’t changed. We’ve experimented with other platforms, but we haven’t seen the same level of engagement and sales that we get on Instagram.

"Before long, our Instagram friends with larger pets started asking where they could get bandanas like his—and the rest is history! What started as a fun, creative project turned into an unplanned, organic business."

Give us the backstory of your brand’s name.

Many people think our name is simple, and they’re right—but from a marketing perspective, it’s hard to mistake what we sell. The acronym DBC is actually the initials of my husband’s name (Dustin), my senior dog’s name (Buster), and my second dog’s name (Cash), all in the order I met them. It’s a personal touch that holds special meaning for me.

What would you like to see for Dog Bandana Co.'s future?

In the past, we’ve always been focused on perfecting our product, making sure it’s the best it can be. This year, I’m confident we offer a fantastic product, and I’m excited to shift our focus toward expanding our media presence and forming new partnerships.

What do you think is the most prominent concern in the pet industry?

For me, my top priority with my pets is the quality of the food and treats I give them. I’ve spent years researching alternative kibble options and choosing only the healthiest treats. This not only supports their overall well-being but can also help reduce unnecessary vet bills in the long run. Just as we should be mindful of the foods we consume as humans, I feel the same way about my pets. Just because something has historically been considered "what dogs have always eaten" doesn't mean it's the best choice for them.