We recently connected with Amy Scafidi and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Amy, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
Several years ago I used to work the overnight shift at a local big box store, stocking shelves and cashiering from 10pm until 7am. One night I went out to my car on my last break, I had a bit of a migraine and was thinking about asking to go home early. It was around 5 am and as I was walking to my car I heard a faint “meow.” When I turned around the most adorable little black and white kitten was running up to me. I couldn’t believe my eyes! She was sweet but also very skittish. I decided right then that there was no way I was going home without her. So I went back into work and asked if I could please go home for the day. I told my boss I wasn’t feeling well and he agreed to let me go home early. As soon as I left work I stopped at a different store to pick-up some cat necessities. When we got back home, she settled in and used the litter box right away. That morning I called and scheduled an appointment to have her checked over by a veterinarian. I also wanted to check for a microchip in case she belonged to someone else already. The vet checked her over and gave her a clean bill of health and also advised there was no microchip. I decided to name her Shadow since she was always following me around but soon I settled on the name Marble. Marble very quickly became my best friend.
After shopping for cat toys a few times I noticed quickly that just about every store had the same options. Mostly mouse toys, plastic balls and crinkle tunnels. All of these things were fun for her but it never felt like I was giving her something new or exciting. That is when I decided to start a small business making and selling cat toys. My thought was that if I am bored with the cat toy selection then other cat owners probably are too.
Amy, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
The idea of creating more interactive and unique cat toys for my cat Marble is what got me started on my small business adventure. I like to create cat toys that are spooky in nature. My best selling cat toy, and one of the creations I am most proud of, looks like a bloody knife. We all know that cats are hunters so I figured why not embrace their killer instincts! I also make more classically designed toys such as our fish toys and catnip pies. I love when customers share photographs of their cats enjoying the toys that I make. It gives me a sense of pride knowing that I am making cats and their owners happy by making playtime even more fun and silly.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
I think that being a cat Mom myself has helped to increase my reputation within my market. I know what makes my cats happy and I try to incorporate that into each toy design I create. I also use Marble as my “purr-duct” tester to make sure each toy is stimulating and long lasting.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
Reading the work of Ryan Holiday and Jordan Peterson has significantly impacted my thinking as a person. I also would like to credit God and the lessons he left us via scripture. Without God guiding me I don’t know where I would be.
Contact Info:
- Website: deadclevercreations.etsy.com
- Instagram: @deadclevercreations
- Twitter: @dead_clever
- Other: linktr.ee/deadclevercreations
Image Credits
Amy Scafidi – all images.