Today we’d like to introduce you to Ben Ramirez Reed

Hi Ben, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?

I would say the beginning for me in business starts with working in my mother’s business. She started a dog daycare and boarding facility when I was younger, which quickly became my first job. I worked, taking care of dogs, up until collage and then returned to manage the business and employees after I graduated. I learned a lot about entrepreneurship from watching her and that business. Everything from hiring the first employee to dealing with problem clients (because I don’t know Any business that has Those!). But even when working in the family business, I knew I wanted my own. I wanted to be an entrepreneur. I remember having disagreements with my mother (and boss at the time) and she would tell me, “well, when you have your own business, you can do it that way. But this is mine, and we’re doing it this way.” We laugh about that now, when I have brunch with her on the weekends and we compare notes over employees and finances. Using my knowledge of dog’s and dog owners from that daycare, combined with a hobby in leather-craft that I picked up over the years, I began by making leather dog collar, leashes, harness, etc. I mostly sold on Etsy.com to begin with, but I quickly added on other leather goods and accessories as time went on. Hair barrettes and leather bags, belts and, my personal favorite, costume apparel/reenactment gear followed. During the lock-down stage of COVID 19, in 2020, so many people adopted dogs. COVID puppies, as they’re nicknamed now. And with that boom in adoption, came a boom in a need for dog equipment. My online leather business quickly doubled, and then doubled again from 2020 to ’21. Once the pandemic restrictions were lifted, everyone turned to festivals and Renaissance Faires, which in turn drew attention to my gear and craft. In just a couple years, my business expanded to the size of the dog daycare I’d left behind and I faced the same issues I’d seen and learned to deal with as manager there. The joke is on me there, I now understand why my mother ran that business the way she did and I do things similarly. “When you have your own business, you can do it that way” turned into “don’t fix what isn’t broken.”

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

A smooth ride it definitely has not been. My biggest hurdle, I have to say, would have been learning to manage my business’s finances and pricing my items well. I find it’s easy to get stuck in the trap of expansion at the cost of profit and a living wage to yourself, the owner. I spent a couple of years working insane hours and long days just to make ends meet (mostly for my business). I had to learn to price my items for what they, and my time and skill, were actually worth. And then stick with that number. A pet peeve of mine, especially at in-person markets and faires I vend at, are the people who like to dicker and bargain. My question for them is, “Would you dicker with Walmart? Bargain with Target?” No, they woudn’t. Those prices are set. They would shop there and wouldn’t question the sticker on the item. I often encourage other artisans and entrepreneurs to double their price. Then double it again. You’re items/products/services are worth. You’re worth it. I was once told, “If your price isn’t making you at least break a little sweat on your forehead when you look at the number, you’re probably selling yourself short.”

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?

I specialize in a fun combination of leather-work, namely dog accessories and reenactment/costume apparel. People often comment, “wow, those are two quite different areas/themes.” Let me tell you that nope, it isn’t. Most dog people I know, especially from my generation (millennials), are nerdy dog owners! There’s little difference to them in going to a Renaissance Faire, and imagining their dog as their magical Wolf friend. I find the people who don’t need or appreciate one side or the other, do appreciate seeing the diversity and skill offered in my leather-work. Secondly, I started in the reenactment/costume world by specializing in women’s armor. And, no, I’m not talking about the silly, barely-covers-anything costumes seen on women in video games. I wanted to offer something that women martial artists might use. (Another flat circle that I’ve been assured of is that nerdy women love to pamper their dogs, and look badass). Now, I make armor and costuming equipment for re-enactors, LARPers, theater, martial artists, and really anyone who wants to look cool and escape daily life for a little bit.

Pricing:

• 49.99
• 84.99
• 94.99
• 149.99
• 619.99

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/frostnembercreations
• Instagram: @frostnembercreations
• Facebook: frostnembercreations

Image Credits

Christina Alexandra, Little Miss Fruitkates