Fay Rickwood and Ryan Saunders are the brains behind the operation

Somerset duo launch business making tents and teepees for dogs

Originally from a digital advertising background to almost 10 years in Product Marketing at Google in UK. Now, I've jumped from big tech to start a new small business in 2023. making pet products with a difference. 

Moved from London to the Somerset countryside in 2021. Now experiencing SMB life, navigating the challenges of start-up e-commerce, digital marketing, product development and growth on a shoe-string budget but with an amazing product. 

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<h4>Two neighbours from Pilton, a village in Somerset, have teamed up to launch a new business making teepee beds for dogs, <a href="https://poochandpaws.com">Pooch and Paws</a>.&nbsp;</h4>Pooch and Paws was started by the neighbours after Fay Rickwood made a teepee for Ryan Saunders' dog, Loki, as a thank-you present. Fay had been making teepees for the Glastonbury Festival teepee field for over ten years and thought Loki would love one — and he did.&nbsp; Following the Loki seal of approval, a neighbourly cup of tea and a quick chat, the idea for Pooch and Paws was born. Saunders and Rickwood knew they could make a quality dog bed product, which would be a bit different and multi-purpose - so dogs can use it inside, outside, home or away.With Fay bringing her unique teepee-making experience and Ryan, a former Google marketing exec, they had all the skills necessary to create the Pooch and Paws brand as an online store, <a href="https://poochandpaws.com">poochandpaws.com</a>.&nbsp; Their products are all manufactured in a studio on a farm in their village. They are 100% handmade and they source all of their materials from UK suppliers, preferably local, sourcing their teepee canvas from a supplier in Taunton in Somerset.The teepees have hardwearing, waterproof canvas so can be used outside, at the beach or on a camping trip. The cushion beds use a waterproof outer cover that’s washable and replaceable with sustainably sourced mattress fillings.&nbsp; Ryan Saunders, co-founder, Pooch and Paws, commented:“We really wanted our products to be as sustainably produced as possible and that's possible with a bit of effort and research. For example, I sew the beds together and we use metal poppers instead of zips, which generally end up in landfill. We also sell replaceable covers so you don’t have to replace the whole bed. Fay uses wooden poles for the teepees and no plastic. We produce everything here in Somerset so the product isn’t travelling across the world to get to you. All of these elements help the environment a little, as well as giving our four-legged friends a place to call their own.”&nbsp; There have been very positive reactions since launching over the summer with many customers appreciating the handmade, UK-produced nature of the teepees, as well as the ability to quickly fold them up and take them anywhere. One customer shared an image on Instagram of their dog Max enjoying his teepee on a motorhome trip saying: “Providing some much-needed shade for Max, overlooking Godrevy, Cornwall. He loves it”.&nbsp; Fay Rickwood, co-founder, Pooch and Paws, added:“Seeing the reaction of people and their dogs to our new product has been incredible! We’ve already taken Pooch and Paws to a couple of dog shows and the New Forest Show so far and seeing people stop, smile and ask so many questions has been lovely, especially when it’s something we make ourselves in our village.”&nbsp;<blockquote>“Seeing the reaction of people and their dogs to our new product has been incredible! We’ve already taken Pooch and Paws to a couple of dog shows and the New Forest Show so far and seeing people stop, smile and ask so many questions has been lovely, especially when it’s something we make ourselves in our village.”</blockquote><figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn.newspage.media/production/company/10931/files/cbc7e21e5d55ef4e45911bb37e7f8c18d52d4deb678d757ab4c699eebbef8a77a4eaa3c07ed58ef263d0cd8d53beaebbdb94ea486d403a693a2a727c105a95cd.webp"></figure>

Somerset neighbours team up to launch handmade dog teepee business

Originally from a digital advertising background to almost 10 years in Product Marketing at Google in UK. Now, I've jumped from big tech to start a new small business in 2023. making pet products with a difference. Moved from London to the Somerset countryside in 2021. Now experiencing SMB life, navigating the challenges of start-up e-commerce, digital marketing, product development and growth on a shoe-string budget but with an amazing product.

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