Episode #4 - How a Motorcycle Ride Sparked My Best-Selling Dog Coat Design

[00:00] Years before I ever dreamt of being a dog wear designer. I put on a helmet. Climbed onto the back of a motorcycle and cruised down the west coast of America. From Vancouver, Canada, all the way to California with nothing but wind, adrenaline and that rebellious energy you only really feel in your 20s. I felt wild, untouchable. Like a total badass.

[00:29] I didn't know it then, but that same energy would later inspire one of my favorite designs, a dog coat that carried all the attitude and edge of a vintage biker jacket. Not long after, it became a customer favorite. Not just for the look, but for the feeling it gave people. And in this episode, I'm sharing the story behind how it came to life.

[00:55] I'm Jill Bartlett, dog wear designer, educator, and the creator behind Thank Dog. We made it the online hub for dog wear enthusiasts and creative entrepreneurs...

[01:26] I've been doing this for over a decade, and most of what I learned came from trial and error and figuring things out the messy way...

[01:48] I'm running a spring giveaway from my Cozy Coat course, where you'll not only learn how to sew a custom fit coat for your dog, but also how to make it your own...

[02:13] Because we want to say, I made that because it feels good to create something that fits not just their body, but their personality...

[02:39] And if you're listening to this and thinking yeah that's me. This giveaway is for you...

[03:10] That chapter of my life felt miles away from designing dog, where until one day it came rushing back...

[03:44] I thought, what if I captured that same energy in a dog coat? So I dove in. I flipped through vintage motorcycle magazines...

[04:12] But it wasn't just for looks. It featured a chrome metal D-ring stitched into the flap, creating a built-in harness...

[04:39] This jacket wasn't just cool, it was personal. And it turns out it struck a chord with a lot of people...

[05:11] They wanted to say, this fits my dog perfectly. This reflects my style. Or my dog looks badass...

[05:41] It all started with a sketch. There wasn't a perfect plan. No polished drawing, just a pencil and a memory...

[06:06] It's not about perfection. It's about giving shape to what's in your head. If you want help getting your ideas on paper...

[06:36] It's a great way to move from I got an idea to I'm building something...

[07:01] And it worked. With a few design tweaks, the cozy coat took on a whole new personality...

[07:27] I'll put the links for both of these down in the notes below...

[07:54] So here's my question for you. What's your Marley Davidson?... Sketch it. Explore it. Make it real.

[08:16] Thanks so much for listening. And until next time, keep sketching, keep sewing and keep telling your dog story through design...