We were lucky to catch up with Courtney Barnes recently and have shared our conversation below.

Courtney, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What do you think it takes to be successful?

I’ve always held the belief that success is a deeply personal and individual concept. What may define success for one person may differ for another. Throughout my life, I have experienced success in various areas that hold immense value to me. I have poured love and effort into cultivating a strong and fulfilling marriage. I have nurtured precious friendships that I cherish and hope to maintain throughout my entire life, and have built deep bonds with my family.

Now, thanks to the incredible support and influence of my loved ones, I find myself embracing a new level of success in my business. This newfound success has surpassed my initial expectations and continues to exceed them. It is a testament to the dedication and passion I have poured into my entrepreneurial endeavors. The love and support I have received from my spouse, friends, and family have empowered me to reach new heights and accomplish more than I ever imagined.

Essentially, I have encountered success in various aspects, such as personal relationships and my flourishing business. Each facet of success holds its own significance and value. It is crucial to establish our own definitions of success, follow paths that genuinely bring us happiness, and discover contentment in life’s simplest joys.

Courtney, 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?

My grandma, Mae, played a significant role in kickstarting my journey, and I owe her immense gratitude for that. Witnessing the incredible creations she made for people ignited a deep desire within me to be a part of that creative world. Whenever I had questions about sewing, she was my go-to person for guidance, and even now, she continues to be my source of advice and support.

Once I learned how to sew, I couldn’t resist making adorable little bandanas for my cats—haha, they were my first models! So, naturally, when I got my puppy, he proudly sported my handmade bandanas, catching the attention of everyone we encountered on our park visits. The growing interest from people wanting their own unique bandanas sparked the idea to start my business, DayInTheLifeAs!

Currently, I offer four main items for sale: pet bandanas, bow ties, and matching scrunchies and headbands. What sets me apart from others in the market is the attention to detail I put into my designs. While most bandanas out there have either one-sided patterns or the same design on both sides, I go the extra mile to select unique designs that stand out not only from other products but from each other as well. While I do strive to stay in tune with current trends, my main focus is on choosing designs that can be enjoyed not only in the present season but also in the years to come.

I take immense pride in actively listening to my customers and meeting their needs. One of the ways I accomplish this is by continuously introducing new products, such as attachable bows for collars and custom-matching headbands for pet owners. By staying attuned to their feedback and desires, I ensure that my customers receive not only exceptional service but also a diverse range of options to enhance their pet’s style and their own. It’s incredible to see how the range of products has expanded beyond bandanas, driven by customer requests. As long as my customers continue to ask for new items, I’m dedicated to growing and evolving accordingly.

What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?

Rather than considering it a side hustle, I view it as a hobby that has transformed into a full-fledged business. It never crossed my mind that something I enjoyed creating for my pets would resonate with people and, surprisingly, be something they would not only like but also purchase.

I have achieved several key milestones that I take great pride in. Firstly, I successfully established an online presence by recently launching my website. Secondly, I am delighted to have gained a loyal customer base with consistent repeat customers and referrals. Lastly, I am incredibly grateful for the local and national recognition my business has received, which feels both amazing and surreal.

How’d you think through whether to sell directly on your own site or through a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc.

I recently launched my own website, moving away from selling on Etsy. While Etsy is a great platform for beginners, I wanted more control and ownership over my store. Having my own website allows me to have greater flexibility in terms of the products I offer. In addition to selling items, I can now also share information about the events I’ll be attending throughout the year without any content restrictions.

Contact Info:

• Website: dayinthelifeas.square.site
• Instagram: instagram.com/dayinthelifeas_ospsr
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/DayInTheLifeAs
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/dayinthelifeas_ospsr/