Supporting Local Within Perth's Pet Industry.
Featuring: Pawty Co.
As I continue to transition into the pet industry, I’m realising more and more, how this has always been the niche for me! My IG feed is now flooded with ALL the dogs and cats, bringing me smiles on the daily, and already I’ve connected with some amazing like minded businesses here in Perth that have brought me joy. These are businesses that I know you’ll love and benefit from knowing too and I’m excited to share some of them here on my blog, starting with the beautiful and talented Jade and her assistant Winnie, from Pawty Co.
If you’re a dog mum, then I know you love to spoil your babies rotten and I have crossed paths with an accessory brand that’ll make your dog stand out from the rest! I photographed Jade and Winnie from Pawty Co down near Woodman Point and asked her a few questions to help you get to know her better.
Today you’re going to get to know Jade Marinich. She is a fellow dog lover and small biz babe, here in Perth, running herself a successful little company called Pawty Co. I first stumbled across Jade in a business membership* that we are both a part of - and even though at the time I hadn’t labeled myself as a pet photographer, the fact that she was in the pet industry sparked and kept my attention - as does everyone else in the membership who works closely alongside animals. Jade isn’t on her own though, she has a loveable assistant Winnie (named after Jade’s love of Winnie-the-Pooh) who is pretty much a tester and brand rep for all of Pawty Co’s harnesses, collars and leads. Winnie is a black English X American Staffy and loves the beach like there’s no tomorrow - I witnessed this for myself!
I have honestly been super fascinated by some of Jade’s answers to the questions I asked, and I hope you will enjoy reading through this and getting to know her.
• So Jade, tell us, how would your friends and family describe you? Who is Jade?
I don’t think I have ever had to answer this before, so let me phone a few friends and ask them.
”Jade is a determined person who has the biggest heart. She is one of the most supportive, smartest and helpful people I know and will help anyone and everyone to succeed. Her only real downfall is she cares too much, and that can be at the detriment of herself, but despite all odds shee is truly a person you can rely on.”
I love that summary of you!
• What was your main reason for creating this business - in the middle of covid of all times!? Were you working or did you have another business before Pawty Co? We'd love to hear what was going through your mind.
Crazy right? I guess I am a little crazy but aren’t we all. I have always been a dog person, and Pawty Co really aligns with my values.
I was working full time and doing more hours than normal as my day job got so busy. At this point in time I already owned 2 businesses. These businesses were not my passion, I was just good at them, but it always seemed like a chore to complete my orders. The only orders I truly loved doing were the dog related ones.
When I started Pawty Co, I finished up with one of the businesses, and the other I used to help financially set me up until until I was able to get Pawty Co to somewhat, stay on its own feet. Once I knew we were stable I sold the second business too.
• Can you explain to the fam here, exactly what your business is and how you can serve them? Why do they need you in their life?
Of course, this is my jam. Pawty Co sells hand designed accessories for your dog, but the best part is, regardless of your dogs size, we keep our prices the same. MONEY WIN! Pawty Co is stylish & affordable, every dog needs us in their life.
I have always had larger dogs, and ALWAYS would get annoyed when the prices would be more. So, I made this my business model - Because dogs are family (Regardless of size!).
I also put a lot of time and effort into fundraising for rescues, as well as dogs, who need help financially with surgeries.
• I'm interested to hear about your favourite product you sell vs the peoples favourite.
We have just launched a new range and dog mums alike, are already going crazy over it! I would say their new favourite is the ‘Jurassic Bark’ design, previous to this it, would have been our ‘Cottesloe’ design.
I honestly love every single one of my designs otherwise they would never have made the cut, but right now Winnie’s daily is the ‘Bush Friends’ design.
• So then, how are your designs created and then made?
Well, I get an idea and I think about it and sit on it for weeks, trying to find things that connect with what I am imagining. Then I get an artist to bring my creation to life. The artist will use watercolour paints to paint the designs onto A4 paper. From there, they get sent to a digital printer who then converts them into print files.
This process can take 2-3 months.
Once I have the files I send them to my lovely supplier who creates a sample for me. Then after I have confirmed and given the thumbs up, they then produce the items in bulk for me. It almost feels magic when I get those bulk orders in.
I find that so interesting - I had no idea how this kind of stuff was made!
• What did you want to be when you grew up as a kid? Have you always known you'd end up in the pet industry?
The truth? When I was asked in Kindy it was not something you would expect a child to say but my parents bring this up on the regular.
My answer was: ‘A single mum on a motorbike’.
Note sure where this came from, I'm currently 26 and I am not a mother and I also do not own a motorbike.
As I grew older, I always said I was going to be a vet, and that I was going to one day work at the Zoo. I would never have imagined being a small business owner that curated her own designs for her products. But here I am.
Haha, CRACK UP! I also love how so many of us animal lovers start life out by wanting to be a vet, but yet, very few actually go for that position!
• Let’s go back to the point where you mentioned the fundraising you do. On your site it says for every lead purchased, you donate $1 to a dog rescue centre, I love that and hope that one day I can help out like this too.
Correct! I have raised over $2000 in purchases and fundraisers in 2021, but I could not have done it alone.
• That is pretty epic! What about Winnie, was she a rescue pup? How did you come to have her?
Winnie wasn’t a rescue. We just happened to be in the right place at the right time to find her. From two weeks old we got to meet with her every week. It was truly amazing!
• I'm sure all the readers would love to hear about your favourite ways to spoil her! Are you one of those dog mums that celebrates Dog birthdays?
She honestly is so spoilt, she gets to choose her own toys out of our deliveries. Her toy box is over flowing! Winnie is a power chewer so she lovers anything she can chew and not destroy and her fav treat would have to be Ziwi’s! She gets to come everywhere possible with us: family holidays, Bunnings, cafes and dinner. Wherever she is allowed she will be with us.
Winnie’s second birthday is creepy up on us quite fast. 100% I am one of those dog mums who celebrate it. She is going to have a party with her doggy friends and share some pup cakes. There will be party bags for all the guests too!
• I'm gonna take a stab and say that your favourite animal is a dog, would I be right?
Yep 100%, dogs are the top of my list. I am a fan of a lot of breeds, but I am a little bias towards bully breeds! A close second though are penguins, they are just the sweetest things.
• Ahh Jade, thank you so much for sharing with us, I loved being able to hold this space for you here. Is there anything else you'd like to mention? Also, please be sure to tell us, where your favourite place to connect with us is?
I have made some amazing life long friends on Instagram through my business and I am truly grateful for everyone who has been apart of my journey.
I am always up for a chat at the markets I attend and I honestly love connecting with likeminded business women who share the same passion for success and of course dogs! I also always have the best time at business catch up’s, such as ones that Jess’s has previously organised as part of her ‘Dreamers & Doers’ membership*!
It was such a pleasure to be able to have this chat with you today.
If you would like to also connect with Jade and Winnie, make sure to go and give them a follow over on Instagram @Pawtyco. Jump into her DM’s, say Hey, and let her know that you’ve read this blog!
If you would like to check out some of her awesome products to spoil your doggies, then you can find all the info you need to order, on her website at www.pawtyco.com.au
Below are a few more of my favourite photos from the photography session that we did together over sunset the other week at Woodman Point Dog Beach. Enjoy! And remember if you like what you see, be sure to reach out connect with us!
