Collars & Leashes & Clothes, Oh My!

[Dori & Rua]

As many of you know, last summer I talked about making collars & leashes, agility items, clothing & blogging.  I bought several domains (after input from all of you).

My blog is www.lifewithrua.com.  I have tried to post a couple of times per month.  It is a way for me to exercise my right brain, and because there are only 8,000 plus DK members, I figured I wasn't reaching enough people to brag share about my Life with Rua.  LOL

I also bought a domain that I intend to sell collars, leashes & agility equipment on.  It is www.KangaRua.com.  It is a work in process.  I will start with collars & leashes since they are the easiest to ship, and go from there.  I have a ways to go, but I am making progress.  I had sewing machine issues and bought the wrong size plastic slides.

 

Had to set up "shop"...when I buy my next house, I will turn one of the bedrooms into a real sewing room...right now, with my house for sale, I am limited.

 

New Janome Serger & Janome Professional Sewing Machine.

 

The below is a matching leash & collar set...Spring Stripes!

 

Above is a collar (will be making a leash, too)...Pink Horses!

 

At the same time, I also bought the domain www.BellaRua.com because I just loved the name, but I didn't know what I was going to do with it.  But, after making Rua several cheerleading outfits (also make some for Ellen's two girls http://www.doodlekisses.com/profile/EllenSutton), Rua's Halloween Costume (Mimi Linna has put in an order for one for Lilly), and a number of other items, I have decided that BellaRua will be for clothes.  

 

Gotta have fleece wear..

 

And who girl wouldn't want a wool pink & black plaid coat.

 

So, here is where I need some advice and I couldn't think of a better place to go than here!

I want to "brand" what I sell, so I thought woven labels would be the way to go. I really love the look of this site and the logo...http://www.lolaandfoxy.com/.  I wish I could come up with a cute little logo, but that would hugely increase the price, and after how much work it was to come up with DK logo, I am not sure I want to go there.

I found a place that will do simple ones for a reasonable price for small quanity.  I like the cream background with pink (of course) text - 1/2" labels so they fit on a collar. 

http://www.everestlabel.com/product/half_personalized_labels.php 

 

1. So, do you think it should be just larger font size "KangaRua" or two lines that include website (I would order the same style for BellaRua)?
2. If you were in the market to buy a collar, would the pink text deter you from buying a collar for your male dog?
3. If yes, would a simple white or cream background with grey or black text be better? 
4. Or, black background with Pink & white (I do like this actually better than the cream label - but perhaps this should just be for BellaRua - black & pink have always been my favorites for Rua).
5. Is it better to have a logo from the very start (I would have to have someone create it) and brand that way or start out with just the plain labels and change later)?
6. Anybody have an idea for a logo? When we had the DK contest, Camila made this logo of Darwin which I liked (I bought a decal & several mugs)  http://www.cafepress.com/+sticker_oval,551576209.  Perhaps a logo like this...an outline of Rua?
7. What should I charge for a 1" collar?
8. What should I charge for a 5' Leash?

 

I appreciate your input!  Thanks so much.

 

Dori & Rua

 

 

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

My dearest Dori (happy Birthday again) - as many of you know - I have an addiction - to collars with matching leashes.  I just this last week ordered Rooney and Stuart matching collars and leashes for Valentines Day.  Once they arrive they will wear them for the entire month of February.  We have them for every holiday and OH HOW I WISH MY MONEY WAS GOING TO YOU!!! So get this going girl.  Here is the copy of what I ordered so you can compare sizes although I do expect a small discount on account of the whole "Rooney & Rua romance" thing.  Wink! 

Collar (Hearts and Dots , Medium, , Matching 4ft, 1 wide)	1	$34.90	$34.90
Collar (Hearts and Dots , Small, , Matching 4ft, 3/4 wide)	1	$34.90	$34.90

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

I don't have anything for St Pats day so if you'd like to be my source - come up with some cute fabric and I'll order 2 collard (med & small) along with 2 leashes from you!!!!!

[Jennifer and Jack]

I would certainly buy collars and leashes. Jack only has one and we only do one at a time but I would buy him one more set to have when this one gets yucky and well my mom probably would as well.

Best of luck to you in your adventures, I hope for big success.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Oh yes! Puleeese! My husband runs the dogs in the dark and I really want a reflective leash for the boys. As far as the pink on black or pink on cream for boy dogs... I would prefer the pink on black, I believe. It is less obviously feminine from my perspective. 

I am so proud of you to be getting this going! Congrats on the new sewing machines. That has to be fun exploring all they able to do for you.

I don't think you have to have a graphic for your logo. The name in a nice font that reflects your taste works too.

Eager to hear more of your adventures. hugs to you and Rua.

[Rose Ann and Amante]

How awesome! I would love to buy Seasonal Collars too!!!!!!!!!!

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

I like simple.  Black background, with KangaRua printed on it in any color and no web address.  

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

I love the business idea and would love to buy from you one day. My advice is to find a way to make your products really unique, keep it all on one website, and be careful about keeping track of all your expenses so that your business is profitable. Also, I might consider having a name and web address that makes it obvious what you are selling. It may not be all that creative to have a wbsite like www.cutedoggiecollars.com but it might be easier to remember and find...

Good Luck Dori!

[BG and Gavin]

Your work is beautiful Dori.  I like the black background with pink and white including the website.  I think $14-16 for a collar and $20-24 for a leash.  Good luck.

[Camilla and Darwin]

Dori, I would be willing to help you out with a logo. I'm not experienced by any means but I would love to help you out! I think I would be able to make a logo on the same scale as that Lola&Foxy one. I PM'd you. 

By the way, this makes me almost sad Darwin is a boy. I want to buy him cute clothes... LOL! I would still visit a site with girly colors for Darwin, but have you thought about green and purple? They seem to be somewhat more gender neutral. Or even Turquoise and lime green? 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I think your domain choices are terrific.  Having the website on the label would be a good thing - when I want to buy again, the address would be right there! I have males and wouldn't care if you used pink.  I prefer the black background label because white gets dirty/dingy faster and I don't like that. It also is more striking which I think for marketing would be a plus. I have no idea as to appropriate costs but browsing through other websites should give you a good idea what the going rates are. 

I adore the clothes you make for Rua, and if I put clothes on my guys, I would certainly order the wonderful things you make.

  If you have an e=mail list, I want to be on it.  My two doodles have to wear rolled leather collars, but I am always looking for a cool collar for my Springer Spaniel and leashes too.  My wish list is a clear leash so that when I take pictures it won't show!  Create that for me, Dori, and I will be ever so grateful. And, my boys are St. Patrick's boys so a leash for March would be wonderful.  We like the 6 ft. leashes and they are harder to find.My daughter always buys reflective collars and leashes when she finds them.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I like the black label too, with the website on it for ease of reordering. My two go thru collars quickly esp. In summer from the pool so I tend to use pretty cheap ones and not spend more than $10.00 on each but I agree, you need to figure out the cost to make and your time and charge a fair price. Express that they are custom and hand made, have you looked on Etsy.com for price comparisons?
I would certainly order a set for my guys as I love supporting local artists more than big websites. Murphy sure can use a new leash. His is 3 yrs old now!

[Susan and Sasha]

What a Wonderful idea Dori...and I am certain that you will be a Great success!

As far as the name for the company...

When I am looking for something online...I just type in what I'm looking for...(example) dog leashes...and then a long list of sites come up.

With that in mind...I don't think that you  have to put the name dog or collars in the logo...especially since you will be having a variety of other items that you will be selling.

I do like your choice of color...going with the black...pink and white lettering.

I also agree with having only one web-site.  it would make it much easier for you and for people.

Your samples of the product are beautiful Dori.  I love the colorful stripes!

I too...would love to support you in your venture.

I wish you the Very Best...

Hugs...