We were lucky to catch up with Quinn Vogt recently and have shared our conversation below.

Quinn, appreciate you joining us today. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard

When it comes to dog outerwear, particularly lighted coats, there really isn’t an industry standard — which is exactly why I created one! During the long, dark winter months, dog owners face the challenge of walking their pets in low visibility. This can make walks feel unsafe, especially when it comes to being seen by drivers, other pedestrians, cyclists, etc. As the owner of a black dog, I know firsthand how difficult it is to spot a dog in the dark. My dog already wore a coat to keep her clean and warm, and a lighted collar so I had some chance of seeing her. But, the coat and her fur covered the collar which made it useless. So, I searched for a combination of the two – a dog coat with lights built in, but couldn’t find one anywhere! So, I set to work designing my own. In the process, I realized there was a clear need for this type of product.

After many iterations (thanks to my patient dog!), I refined the design until I decided on the Patent Pending product we offer today. Lumi-Pup coats focus on the most essential features: water-resistant fabric for easy cleaning and to keep your dog dry, bright colors for maximum visibility, and rechargeable lights to eliminate the hassle of replacing dead batteries. I also offer custom sizing to ensure that lighted coats are available for dogs of all shapes and sizes. My goal is to make sure every dog, regardless of breed or build, can stay safe and stylish during their walks and outdoor activities!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

In my younger years, I was a competitive figure skater, which naturally led me to eventually become a figure skating coach. Alongside this passion, I’ve always had a love for sewing. My Mom and Grandma were both avid sewers, so I can’t remember a time when I didn’t know how to sew. As a coach, I began designing custom skating costumes for my students, a creative outlet I thoroughly enjoyed.

When my family moved to Michigan, I retired from coaching and, as a result, stopped creating skating costumes. It wasn’t until later, when we got our first dog—a black Labradoodle—that I realized a new challenge: she was nearly impossible to see in the dark. I tried a lighted collar, but her thick, fluffy fur covered it up, rendering it ineffective. Since she already wore a coat to keep clean during her morning romps, I thought there must be a combination of a coat and lights available to solve this problem. To my surprise, such a product didn’t exist, so I decided to use my sewing skills to create my own lighted dog coat.

Once my dog began wearing her lighted coat, I quickly realized—with the encouragement of family and friends—that this was a much-needed product in the pet community. It provides dog owners with peace of mind, knowing their pets are as safe, visible and as clean as possible during walks and outdoor activities.

What sets my product apart from others is that it’s the only one of its kind available! In addition, I also offer fully custom sizing. This makes it possible for even the hardest-to-fit dogs to stay safe and visible during their walks, no matter their shape or size!

Can you talk to us about manufacturing? How’d you figure it all out? We’d love to hear the story.

I personally construct every Lumi-Pup dog coat, with the exception of the rechargeable lights and the logo patch, which are sourced from other suppliers. When I first started, I had no experience in creating dog coats but, after countless prototypes, relying on my sewing knowledge, and much trial and error, I developed the Patent Pending product I offer today. Throughout this journey, I’ve gained invaluable insight into the manufacturing process. The biggest challenge has been reducing production time to keep costs affordable for customers while still maintaining a high-quality, durable product. Finding the right balance between efficiency and craftsmanship has been key to delivering the best possible coat for every dog.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

When I first introduced the Lumi-Pup coat at my very first event, I offered only five standard sizes, in addition to the custom-made option. However, after the event, I received a large number of custom orders because the available sizes didn’t cover enough of the range of dog sizes. This experience taught me the importance of offering a broader selection to better accommodate all dogs. Since then, I’ve refined my patterns for a better fit and added two more sizes to the lineup, which has made a significant difference in meeting the needs of a wider variety of dogs.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Lumi-Pups.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/lumi.pups
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/lumi.pups