We recently connected with Staci Blythe and have shared our conversation below.

Staci, looking forward to hearing all of your stories 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.

I adopted my dog, Drax, as a puppy. He was born in a shelter and very early started showing signs of having medical issues. To pay for an allergy test, I learned how to sew and started making bow ties for dog collars because I had seen how cute my dog looked in them. Drax then needed a year of immunotherapy drops. The medical issues continued, so I kept learning and expanding my products to pay for his care. He’s now had 3 knee surgeries, 2 small tumor removals, and goes to the vet monthly for an anti itch shot while our product offerings have grown from bow ties to bows, muscle tanks, quick release collars, martingale collars, over the collar bandanas, and more with the business becoming my full-time job.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I might have put too much in the first answer. But, what sets me apart is that my products are super cute and unique while also being dog park and daycare proof. My bows are double layered, sewn, glued, tied, and interfaced for stability. I use a seatbelt type webbing inside my quick release collars for less irritation than standard collars without sacrificing durability.
I do fun designs and am known for quirky, funny items that really allow you to show your dog’s personality in the collars and accessories that you choose.
As part of my business, I give back to rescues. Whether it be bows and bandanas to put on adoptable dogs for photos on social media to gain attention, supplying raffle baskets for events, or donating quick release/martingale collars to safely walk these dogs, it’s important to help make a change in the homeless animal crisis.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I always tell people, “if i wouldn’t put it on my dog, I won’t sell it to you.” This business saved my dog’s life. He’s living a good life with me because people purchase these products. I want the quality of every product sold to be a “thank you” and people know that.
It started tiny and word of mouth has grown it into what it is now. It’s still a small, one-person-and-one-dog owned business, but now I’m at events regularly, sold in some local stores, and creating more than ever.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

I have a private Facebook group for online sales plus a public Facebook page and Instagram. I stay very active with my customers in those pages. I stay real with it; my pages aren’t just marketing, it’s me as a person. I show the successes, struggles, new products, life with my dog… I think that’s what my customers connect with- my products plus me and my dog, not just a product and nothing else.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @fortheloveofdrax
• Facebook: For The Love Of Drax LLC
• Other: Etsy.com/shop/fortheloveofdrax