Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Banholzer.
Hi Nicole, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hi, I’m Nicole, founder + maker behind North Star Hounds. I started the business in 2019 after making bandanas for my own three dogs: Flash the 9-year-old rescue Newf, Rosie the 5-year-old Golden, and Pippi the 3-year-old Newf. From the start, I wanted to find a way to give back to the wonderful local community here in the Twin Cities, and each month I choose a local nonprofit partner to donate 10% of profits to. In the past, partners have included Center for Economic Inclusion, Face to Face, NAMI Minnesota, and People Serving People.
All of our bandanas and bow ties are made by hand out and to order of my studio in White Bear Lake, just outside of Saint Paul. I use 100% cotton and flannel to make my standard line, and for our dirt, water, and wrinkle resistant Adventure Series I use recycled canvas. Each item is made with 3 snap button enclosures, which ensure our products hold up and stay put.
Being kind to the Earth is another tenet of the business, and we use minimal packaging to eliminate waste, as well as ship all orders in fully compostable mailers.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
To be honest, it has! It started as something I created for my own dogs, and after getting lots of inquiries I decided to launch an Etsy shop, It was a nice break from my day job, and felt nice to create with my hands. Roughly two years after I launched the business, it had grown to a place where I was able to launch a website and pull away from Etsy.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in durable, thoughtfully-crafted and beautifully-designed pet bandanas! I’m known for my craftsmanship: each item is sewn by hand, and consists of a cotton-or-canvas front design and a flannel-or-canvas back (depending on if it’s from the original line or our Adventure Series collection). Our bandanas are double-stitched and are snap-on: in addition, I include 3 snaps on each bandana to allow for extra fluff/growth. These are made to hold up to all of your dog’s adventures and become staples!
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I think it all comes down to passion. I’ve said from the start that if I didn’t love doing this, I wouldn’t do it (a full-time job, three dogs, and a toddler take up more than enough time as is!). I’ve always stayed true to three core principles: giving back, building community, and producing the highest quality, lasting items I can. Starting with those, and staying true to them even as the business has grown, is what makes North Star Hounds what it is.
Contact Info:
- Email: northstarhounds@gmail.com
- Website: NorthStarHounds.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northstarhounds/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/northstarhoundsUS
Image Credits
K Schulz Photography
