10 Small Business Realities

If you’ve come across POINTER & HOUND on our website or social media, you’ve probably seen the polished branding, the cute dogs, the aesthetic feeds, and products that feel just a little bit special.

And honestly? It is a dream - my dream! I’m incredibly proud of what I’ve built. It’s taken a whole lot of care, countless late nights, and an embarrassing number of coffees to bring this vision to life. And when people connect with it? That’s the best part.

But, like most small businesses, there’s a whole side you don’t always see.

Right now at the time of writing this, I’m about 1.7 years into the POINTER & HOUND journey, and it’s still just me behind the scenes. I’m the designer, stock manager, order packer, customer service rep, website fixer, social media manager, part-time dog wrangler, and full-time treat dispenser. I love it, but no - my days don’t always look like those calm, curated Instagram posts.

So here’s a little peek behind the curtain. Not to scare you off starting your own thing, and definitely not to complain, but just to keep it real! Some moments are funny, some are mildly chaotic, and some just make you shake your head and laugh.

If you’re a fellow small business owner, chances are you’ll be nodding along - so I’ve included a few bits of advice that might help you too. And if you’re simply here for a read, welcome! I hope this gives you a genuine glimpse into the behind-the-scenes reality of running POINTER & HOUND.

1. The Investment

People often underestimate just how much financial investment it takes to start - and grow - a product-based business. I too definitely underestimated this initially!

When you sell physical products, they have to be made first - and paid for upfront - often months before customers ever see them. And you can’t just make a few to test the waters. Minimum order quantities are a very real thing.

The cost of stock, samples, manufacturing, shipping, packaging, marketing - it adds up fast. I’ve had to take out loans to fund parts of this journey, and I’m still actively paying off that debt while growing the business.

Most product-based start-ups aren’t profitable right away. In fact, it usually takes two to three years just to break even - sometimes longer. It’s not an overnight success story. It’s a long game that requires patience, resilience, and a whole lot of faith.

But I’m here because I believe in this brand. Every decision, every investment - it’s all made with purpose.

2. It Can Be Lonely

One thing people don’t often talk about is how lonely running a small business can be.

Sure, I’m surrounded by cute dogs and products I love, but when you’re responsible for everything, it can feel pretty isolating. I’m naturally quite introverted, and I’ve definitely gone weeks without seeing friends because I’ve been buried in work.

Finding a work-life balance is something I’m still working on. When no one in your immediate circle truly understands the ups and downs of running your own business, it can feel like you’re on an island.

Recently, I’ve been lucky enough to connect with other women in business, and honestly - it’s been a game changer. Having people to chat to, swap stories with, and share those “me too!” moments has been so refreshing. Community really is key for solo founders. Finding those genuine connections can be hard, but when you do, they make all the difference.

3. Courier Chaos: A Love / Hate Relationship

Ah, couriers. Partners in delivery, occasional agents of chaos.

Every now and then (thankfully, not often), a parcel goes on its own little adventure - the wrong address, long delays, or it ends up at the neighbour’s house (the one who’s sure they haven’t seen it). I triple-check shipping details and use tracked couriers, but sometimes, even when everything is done right, things still go sideways.

That’s when the all-caps emails start rolling in:

“WHERE IS MY PARCEL?! I WILL NEVER ORDER FROM YOU AGAIN!”
“ARE YOU A SCAM?”
“I WISH I’D NEVER HEARD OF YOU!”

Okay, Brenda. Deep breaths.

Trust me, no one wants your parcel to arrive more than I do. I always follow up, chase couriers, lodge investigations, and if needed - I resend the order. But sadly, I can’t personally escort every parcel to your doorstep. And most of the time, the courier simply left it with your neighbour by mistake.

One day, when it’s not just me, I’ll have a wonderful customer service superstar to help with this. For now, it’s me, my laptop, and my very calm inner monologue (most of the time). Or ChatGPT, kindly helping me rewrite my replies to sound more calm and professional.

4. Social Media Warriors (and the Occasional Bargain Hunter)

I love social media. It’s how I share POINTER & HOUND with the world. I create the content, write the captions, and do my best to show what the brand stands for: thoughtful design, quality materials, and stylish, practical dog gear.

But the comment section on some of my paid ads? That’s where the real party happens!

Some personal favourites:

"Bunch of prestigious w**kers" (instantly blocked LOL!)
“Jackets for dogs? Must be a pedigree thing 🙄”
“Such boring colours”
“What a poor dog” (on a video of Toby in his jacket)

For the record, our GSP Toby lives a life most of us could only dream of - open paddocks to run round in every day, couch naps, treats, and two humans who adore him. His jacket isn’t a fashion prison - it’s literally designed for his comfort and warmth. Poor Dog? - pffftt.

And then there’s always these comments:
“I could buy cheaper elsewhere.”

Yes, you absolutely can. There’s plenty of fast, cheap, mass-produced dog gear out there. But that’s not what we do. POINTER & HOUND isn’t trying to be the cheapest - we’re here for people who genuinely care about quality, style, fit, and supporting a local brand. And if that’s not for you? Totally fine. We know who we’re here for.

But its not all negative - the good ones far outweigh the rest! The kind, supportive, genuinely lovely people who tag their friends, send messages, leave sweet reviews, and cheer us on - they’re the reason I love what I do!

The community we’ve built on social media is something I’m really proud of. It’s full of dog lovers who genuinely get excited about new products, updates, and the little stories we share along the way. That’s pretty special.

For every nasty little comment, there are SO many good ones. Don’t let the 1% get you down!

5. The ‘Exposure’ Email Parade

Ah yes - the classic “let’s collab” email. A true staple in the inbox of any small business.

“Hi! I have 5k followers. Can you send me a free harness? Oh, and maybe a jacket too? Would love to showcase your gear on my page - I think my followers would love it! Look forward to working with you”

I’m always grateful when people notice POINTER & HOUND - that genuinely means a lot. But let’s be real: some of these requests are wildly audacious. They come through with the energy of someone doing me a huge favour… when really, it’s just a thinly disguised ask for free stuff. No context, no connection to the brand - just a sense of entitlement dressed up as an “opportunity.”

And just when you think that’s bold enough, a media kit lands in the inbox. Now I’m expected not only to gift hundreds of dollars’ worth of product, but also to pay for the privilege - per story, per post, per reel. You’ve got to admire the confidence.

Here’s the truth: I’m a self-funded business. Every product represents real investment - time, money, energy, and usually a dash of last-minute panic. I run all our paid ads myself, and with a background in marketing, I know exactly where every dollar is going and what it’s bringing back. My ads are carefully targeted and deliver consistent results. A one-off Instagram post from a random account? It’s rarely worth it.

That said, I’ve had the absolute pleasure of working with some incredible people - genuine dog lovers who found POINTER & HOUND, shopped with us because they loved what we do, and then shared our gear simply because they cared. Some of them have since become brand ambassadors and even friends. Those are the collaborations that truly matter - the kind built on mutual respect, not transactions.

If you love what we do, the best way to support POINTER & HOUND is simple: shop with us when it feels right, tag us in your pics, and tell your friends. That kind of organic love? It honestly means everything.

As for the collab freebie + invoice requests? These days, they quietly go unanswered.

6. The many hats of a Solo Founder

From product design to packing orders to photographing dogs while waving a treat over the camera - it’s all me.

The only thing I’ve outsourced is my branding refresh (shoutout to Sophie - you’re a legend). Everything else? That’s my daily juggle: late nights, long lists, and approximately 67 mental tabs open at all times. The stress, the occasional tears, the debt - sometimes it’s a lot.

But I wouldn’t change it. I’m building something I genuinely love!

7. Expensive Mistakes (We’ve All Been There)

In the early days, I poured thousands into what I thought was the great harness design - until I discovered it wore down in one key area after only moderate use. I tested it, re-tested it, and ultimately made the tough call not to sell it.

Walking away meant months of work (and a lot of money) down the drain. But it was the right decision.

Because here’s the truth: I’ll always prioritise quality and customer satisfaction over a quick sale. Your trust in POINTER & HOUND means everything to me - and if that means shelving a product that doesn’t meet our standards, I’ll do it. Every time.

We’re here to build a brand with integrity. If something ever goes wrong, we’ll make it right. You can feel confident shopping with us knowing we stand behind every product.

Lesson learned: test, test, test - and never compromise.

8. Can You Make It in Hot Pink?

I genuinely love hearing your ideas - I really do.

But I get a lot of requests like:
“Do it in neon orange!”
“Make it in purple!”
“I’d only buy this if it was in red.”

I appreciate the enthusiasm, but POINTER & HOUND is all about timeless, neutral tones. Sand, walnut, moss, cream - you know.... the colours all over our website and social feeds. And you think we should launch a fluoro range? A bold suggestion - but probably not anytime soon. (Unless your dog’s going hunting - then maybe let’s talk).

I also get asked about custom sizing, but minimum order quantities (MOQs) are very real. I unfortunately can’t just whip up one special jacket on the side - I wish I could, but I’d need to order hundreds to make it work. People often get very disappointed when their custom requests get turned down.

One thing I’ve definitely learned? Everyone loves to tell you what you should do with your brand - from colours to sizes to product suggestions (some very creative ones, I must say). But if I tried to please everyone, POINTER & HOUND would lose what makes it special. And that’s something I’ll never compromise.

If you’re a fellow business owner, here’s my advice:
Listen to your customers, absolutely - but trust your gut, stay true to your vision, and don’t get swayed by every suggestion that lands in your inbox. You know your brand better than anyone else, and you will never be able to cater for everyone.

9. “Got a Discount Code?”

Nope. And did you know - we don’t do sales?

Not because I’m mean (promise), but because I price everything fairly from the start. Sales can devalue a brand, and honestly, good design shouldn’t need a 40% off sticker to be appreciated.

Every dollar earned goes straight back into growing the business - better materials, more stock, new designs, and maybe one day… a workspace that isn’t my spare room!

When sales are slow, it’s tempting for new businesses to think: “Let’s do a sale!” But I never want POINTER & HOUND to become the kind of brand people wait to buy from just because they expect a discount. I want us to be the brand people buy from now - because if they don’t, they might miss out. And this is proving to be the case, with our best sellers clearing out of stock fast, and me frantically trying to keep up with demand!

Think about Apple - when tech stores run sitewide sales, Apple is usually excluded. And yet people still see the value. Obviously, I’m not Apple - but the principle is the same: value-driven brands don’t need to rely on discounts.

If the price point isn’t quite for you, that’s totally fine - there are plenty of places offering cheaper dog gear. But that’s not what POINTER & HOUND is about.

When you shop with us, you’re choosing to support something thoughtful, well-made, and unique. And I hope when your dog (or you!) are wearing your P&H pieces, you don’t just love how they look — you feel proud to be part of what we’re building. 

10. Copycats

Ah, the copycats. I’ve seen a few new brands pop up not long after I started POINTER & HOUND (which shall remain nameless) and let’s just say - their style, wording and 'why' sounded suspiciously familiar.

At first, it really upset me. It felt personal - like someone was repackaging all my hard work and calling it their own. But I’ve realised this happens everywhere, to brands big and small.

Unless you have a custom product that can be patented (which is rare in dog apparel), it’s really hard to fully protect your designs. You can protect your story, your branding, and some design elements - but you can’t lock down the entire concept.

That’s why I’ve secured Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) with most of my manufacturers, meaning they can’t recreate my custom designs or sizing for other businesses.

I also pay attention to the orders that come through. It’s always interesting when other pet brands and well known Aussie boutiques place orders with us. Are they genuine customers? Or are they trying to copy our sizing and styles of our best sellers? I’ll never really know, but I’d be lying if I said I don’t think about it.

A note to founders: people can try copy what you do, but they can’t copy why you do it. They can’t replicate your story, your heart, or your passion - and that’s what shines through and makes a brand special.

Stick to what you’re doing. Stay true to your values. Focus on what really matters.

Let the copycats copy - your time is better spent strengthening your brand and setting trends, not chasing them!

Still the Best Job in the World

For all its twists, turns, and lessons - this is still my dream job.

POINTER & HOUND started with an idea, my two very cute dogs (Toby the GSP and Maple the Mini Dachshund), a very supportive partner (Rowan), and a whole lot of hope. I juggled it alongside another job, self-funded it, and built it from scratch. And now? It’s growing.

What I’ve learned along the way is that running a business is just as much a mental game as it is a practical one. There’s constant outside noise - trends, opinions, advice from strangers, and pressure to do things the way everyone else seems to be doing them. It can be a lot to navigate.

The best thing I’ve done? I’ve learned to trust myself. To back my own decisions. To lean on the people I trust and focus on the voices that actually matter - not just the loudest ones.

If you’re building something of your own, you’ll know that everyone has an opinion. But at the end of the day, no one knows your brand like you do. Run your own race, make decisions that feel right for you, and don’t let the noise drown out your gut instinct.

To every person who’s shopped with us, shared a post, left a kind comment, or simply cheered us on - thank you. It means more to me than you’ll ever know!!

Running a business isn’t always pretty. But it’s always worth it.

This little brand has big dreams - and with your support, we’re just getting started.

— Christina R
Founder | POINTER & HOUND