Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Trina Caldwell. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Trina thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?

The story behind the name of my company is quite funny. I made a few dog bandanas for my son’s dog to wear so that she would look dainty. People always assumed she was a boy. Well, my son sent me a picture of her and she looked so cute. The text was, “Look, she is wearing Nana’s bandana” that was all it took for me to say “That’s it!” I am a nana, and yes, she was wearing a bandana made by me. There were times when I wasn’t too sure about the name, Nana, because you may think old lady, but I am not your average Nana. I have been told the name is perfect because it is endearing and easy to remember. I still have my doubts some days about the name, but my items reflect a more modern appearance, not homely.
I think that as the business continues to grow, I will be less worried about the name being a downfall.

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 have been sewing for many years. I started when I was between the ages of 5 and 6. At first, I would sew doll clothing by hand while my mother sewed on her machine. She is a seamstress, so I had firsthand experience with sewing. Once I got my first sewing machine, I started making clothes and using patterns my mom would get from the fabric store. Sewing came naturally to me, and I enjoyed it more as I grew older. Eventually, I started making garments for myself.

I always had a desire to make children’s garments more than adult clothing, and I got the chance once I had a granddaughter. I would make her beautiful dresses for every occasion, including rompers, satin and lace, sundresses, and skirts. I found my passion for sewing, and then I got a dog.

Having a dog and remnants of fabric meant only one thing. Dress the dog! I started making him collars and bandanas to give him some personality. Once I got a second dog, I would dress them in matching items.

People in my neighborhood noticed them and suggested I should sell them. That winter, I decided to do just that.

I made several types of bandanas until I figured out what style I wanted to sell. I would ask dog owners for feedback on what they liked or didn’t like and what needed to be improved or altered. I took their advice and opinions, and the following summer, I decided to put all of that into action at our local market. To my surprise, people liked my products, and that made me hopeful.

Here we are 2 years later, with improvements to make and growing to do, but Nana’s Bandanas Pet Boutique is getting there with the help of our loyal customer base.

Do you sell on your site, or do you use a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc?

Nana’s Bandanas Pet Boutique has a website. Although I’ve considered selling on Amazon Handmade or Michael’s Makerplace before, I’m hopeful that my website will remain my primary source of sales.

Currently, the majority of my sales come from in-person events. I make an effort to attend as many pop-ups and pet rescue events as possible to promote my brand.

I’ve been told that advertising is crucial to drive website sales. However, it’s often not affordable for small businesses, so organic marketing is the best alternative.

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

As a clothing sewist who now specializes in creating outfits for pets, I always keep my loyal customers updated by sending them texts or emails whenever I’m working on something new or have new fabric in stock. I value their feedback and suggestions on what prints or styles of fabric would be a good purchase since they are the consumers.

However, choosing fabric for pets is quite different than choosing for humans. Even though I’m used to imagining dresses, coats, and suits when I look at fabric, I must remind myself that it’s for dogs! Sometimes, I even ask my customers to make a list of prints they like and would like to see. I’ll show them what I have in mind and ask if it’s a “yes” or a “no”. But, as you can imagine, there have been many “nos”!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.nanasbandanas.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nanasbandanaspetboutique/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NanasBandanasPetBoutique