Pawsome Paws Boutique (PPB), the brainchild of founder Sophie Chesman, is returning to the Pet and Aquatic Trade Show (PATS) this year with its highly anticipated official Disney collection. Originally sold out, it is now fully restocked and available to trade.
This achievement is just one of many highlights in the company’s journey from a modest home-based project to a recognised brand name in the pet accessory industry.
Sophie’s passion for pets, particularly her own dogs Reuben and Betsy, has been the driving force behind PPB’s success. From the moment Reuben was a puppy, Sophie was obsessed. She spent every spare penny at Pets at Home, indulging him with various accessories and treats. Her keen interest in trends and patterns soon led her start making handmade accessories for Reuben, sparking the beginning of a remarkable journey.
In December 2016, with just £100 in her bank account, Sophie founded Pawsome Paws Boutique. It all started with handmade, personalized dog lead hangers that she crafted as Christmas gifts for friends and family. After sharing her creations in a dog group, the response was overwhelming – they went viral. Sophie spent the entire Christmas season hand painting and staining wood to fulfil the influx of orders, marking the humble beginnings of her business.
By 2017, orders were pouring in, and Sophie reinvested every penny into introducing new products. Pawsome Paws Boutique had officially launched, and in just one year, Sophie was overwhelmed with orders, working 17-hour days to meet the demand. Etsy and Facebook became her primary sales channels, while she tirelessly sewed for hours on end, all while growing a vibrant social media presence.
In September 2019, after two years of running PPB from her home, Sophie took the leap and signed for her first commercial unit. Just a few months later, in December 2019, she hired her first employee, marking a significant milestone in the company’s growth. By June 2020, PPB had reached an impressive 100,000 followers on Instagram, a testament to the brand’s growing popularity.
The year 2022 was a pivotal one for PPB. They traded at Crufts for the first time in March, launched their inaugural collection in August, and returned to Crufts in March 2023 for a second time. That same year, PPB introduced the "Walkies Ready Club," a group designed to bring the online community together for dog walks while raising money for charity. Sophie also expanded the product range with a new homeware collection and made a significant breakthrough by launching PPB products in-store and online at Pets at Home.
Today, the PPB team has grown to 10 employees, all working from a 3,000 square foot headquarters. The official Disney licensed products, launched in January 2024, have been a resounding success. The Winnie The Pooh collection sold out quickly, followed by equally popular Lion King and Bambi collections. August 2024 marked another exciting milestone with the launch of PPB’s Paramount licensed products, starting with the Emily in Paris collection.
Sophie’s dedication and vision have not gone unnoticed. She has been shortlisted for the Rising Star award and the Marketing Campaign of the Year award, further solidifying her status as a leading figure in the industry.
With over 276,000 followers on Instagram, 38,000 on Facebook, and 28,000 on TikTok, PPB’s online community continues to thrive. Their PPB Addicts Facebook group boasts 8,000 members, all eager to share in the company’s journey and celebrate its successes.
As Pawsome Paws Boutique looks to the future, the sky's the limit. With more exciting Disney collections and other creative endeavours on the horizon, Sophie’s journey from a bedroom sewing machine to an official Disney collection serves as an inspiring testament to what passion, dedication, and a love for dogs can achieve.
