Today we’d like to introduce you to Vania Liu.
Hi Vania, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Hi, I’m Vania! I started Shop Sunny Tails, a modern and aesthetic dog accessories brand, after getting my dog and making so many genuine friendships in the dog community. I had spent the last 2.5 years at a high profile celebrity beauty startup after working in finance for 5 years, but once I got my dog, Katsu, during the pandemic I became that crazy dog mom.
I was obsessed with dog training, spoiling him with only the best, and soon cared about more dogs I met online than I could count. That was when I knew all things dogs was my passion, and thought it would be worth a shot trying to live out my dream and start my own business. I’ve always loved fashion and design and wanted to dress up my dog with my own taste and aesthetic, and quickly fell in love with creating fun, functional, and timeless accessories for our best friends. Ultimately what I’ve learned is that there’s really no community I’ve met that is as encouraging and supportive as dog parents, and my hope for everyone that comes across Shop Sunny Tails is that they not only find something for their pup but also community and friendships that last. Because dog people and their best friends are simply the best :’)
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
When I look back at far the business has grown, I definitely don’t think it was easy or a smooth road. Running a business as a solo founder is both exciting but often very lonely at times. I love being in charge of all the decision-making, but one of the biggest challenges is never having enough hours in a day to do everything that I want. I say this is still a challenge for me, but I’ve learned to map out my week, days, and sometimes hours in advance now so that I can dedicate time to do tasks that will really move the needle for my business. The other part of being of a solo founder is that it often gets lonely running a business by myself! Thankfully I’ve been able to connect with other small business owners and entrepreneurs along the way, and so many of my customers have become my close friends and biggest cheerleaders too!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At Sunny Tails, we are reimagining pet goods for the stylish and aesthetic dog family. We pride ourselves in providing quality accessories that will make both you and your best friend happy – beautifully crafted, fun, and comfortable so that you can create the most memorable moments together. And every order helps a shelter pet in need.
As a tiny business, we strongly believe in fostering a community of inclusive and supportive dog parents internationally. In today’s world, we believe that investing in the community comes first for a brand, and utilizing social media to build this community and nurture them will build lasting brand loyalty. At the heart of Sunny Tails is an Ambassador program of almost 300 members supporting each other on their dog owner journey, many of who have become friends in real life from their digital platforms! We hope to continue to develop this community of obsessed dog owners and are always up to chat, help, and get to know our customers.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I would have to say for organization and notes, Notion is my go to app! My customers are my biggest resource for getting feedback on our products or getting insight on what they want to see from our shop next! I used to feel shy about emailing my customers or reaching out directly to them with questions or feedback, but their candid feedback and opinions have really helped me grow the company to where it is today!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shopsunnytails.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/shopsunnytails
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@shopsunnytails
Image Credits
@milliethecitydood
@its.truffles
@herecomesgopher
dogtographer.la
