Specialty Product for Dogs

DoggLeggs is a fabric device to protect dogs from arthritis and other orthopedic ailments. The founder is a seamstress and graphic designer, who took some recommendations from her vet and developed a product to solve the needs of her own dog. She learned about the local SBDC by seeing a up coming class listed in the local newspaper.

The client came to the SBDC with a business plan, though lacking sufficient detail. The business had been operating since 1999, but had competed for her time with her graphics business. The challenge was how to give up the needed income from the graphics work, knowing DoggLeggs would not support her sufficiently unless it received a large influx of cash to launch a real marketing campaign, including trade shows. The family financial resources had already been tapped out bringing the product to that point of development. As they had already gotten a home equity line for the business from a term loan seem to be a good option to pursue. An SBA guaranteed loan for $100k closed in May 2003 and the client has reserved space at two upcoming shows and has several new products patent pending.