Meet Natasha Artea

Today we’d like to introduce you to Natasha Artea.

Hi Natasha, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hello, my name is Natasha and founder of Cute Cute Pet Boutique LLC a little about myself. I grew up in California and Nevada and was raised by my family members. My father passed before I was born and my mother passing years after. My grandmother aka “Nana” was my role model and she not only help raise me but also taught me what hard-working, independent, and unconditional love was. I also was surrounded by supportive & encouraging family. From a young age, a strong and good work ethic was instilled in me and remember always hearing skies the limit. Owning my own business has always been a goal for me since I was young. Moving forward in 2017, we rescued our face of the business my Izzy Chanel our dog from Secca Downey animal shelter and she was instantly part of our family. From buying her outfits, accessories and can’t forget tons of “selfies” my love for her grew unconditionally.

Fast forward to 2019, everyone’s lives changed and was impacted. I decided it was time to start researching how to open and operate a business, constantly reading articles and listening to motivational podcasts and trying to figure out where to start. It wasn’t until 2020 my daughter & I had an idea of selling women pajamas which was a short trial, then that line turned into baby clothes. I tried both businesses but they weren’t my passion and I was having a hard time connecting with an audience. I switched over to pet clothes and that’s when I realized how many opportunities this could open up and bring attention and awareness for adopting and fostering for shelter animals. I wanted to advocate for animals in need so I thought what better way than to open up a business revolving around pets. In 2021 that’s when I registered my business and started my trademark process. I was officially a registered LLC in 2022. I began booking and attending pop-up and city events and my networking began. I started my impact by hosting raffles and donating the proceeds to animal rescues. I loved everything about running my own business but I loved the impact I was making even more for pets in need.

Fast forward to today, my business has attended over 70 pop-up events and collaborated with over half a dozen rescues and shelters from CA to NV states, providing donations, toys and fashion to the animals while they wait to be fostered or adopted. Cutie Cute Pets is currently a small business with a huge goal. I recently was given the opportunity to expand from pop-up events to now having Cutie Cute Pets displayed in the storefront of Citi Pawz in Anaheim, CA. My business still has so much growing to do and there are still so many animals to help advocate for from fostering to adopting that are in need. You can find me at a rescue/adoption or pop-up event and now at Citi Pawz pet store.

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?
Just like every business Cutie Cute Pet Boutique has had its fair share of bumps in the road. I was so eager and excited to start my own business that I didn’t originally have a plan of action except I knew it was going to be fashion and accessories. My one of many challenges was in ladies fashion and accessories but quickly realized I wanted to do more than just sell products. I wanted to help make a change, no matter how small or large. I have overcome many obstacles starting from having to change the name of the business, switching who our audience was and even having to rebrand as a whole. Promoting Cutie Cute Pets’ name was also a whole new lesson to be learned. I had lots of trial and error occur when it came to attending events, figuring out how to market, networking myself, my products, and even simply setting up my displays. Overcoming all these obstacles made me realize that more mistakes will be made and more obstacles will be thrown at me but as long as I take every day as a learning opportunity then every mistake made is a step closer to my goal.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Apart from being a business owner, I have over twenty years of experience in the medical/hospital setting. I have worked for some of the smallest organizations to some of the most well-known organizations in the healthcare industry. I currently have a full-time position at a major university in California. I am a healthcare worker from 9-5 but after that shift ends, my next shift of being a business owner starts meaning late nights and sometimes early mornings. I am working toward owning my studio or boutique where I can display the latest pet fashions and accessories while also giving a space for my clients and their pets to feel welcome while they shop.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I have learned as an entrepreneur you learn to take risks for your business which before starting Cutie Cute Pet I could say I played it safe. I have a whole new perspective and feel the opposite now. I feel whether it’s Big or small if you think it’s going to help your business give it a GO. For example, the biggest risk I took was starting my business. From asking myself should I start? Where will I find clients? Will the pet community and vendors welcome me??? All these questions I had in my head and looking back, I would take the same risk all over again and to answer the questions…The Pet community, vendors and clients have truly been not only amazing but PAWSOME!

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @cutiecutepetboutique
• Facebook: izzychanel
• Other: cutiecutepetboutique threads.net