pet beds

© Fleabag Beds

Designers and TV Co-Stars, Sabina Vavra and Chelsea Hernandez, create the lovely Fleabag Beds pet beds for cats and dogs.

Realizing the lack of contemporary dog and cat beds in chic washable fabrics the friends decided to fill the niche for the many dog and cat owners. Their label Fleabag Beds offers three different sizes to fit every furry friend. Each bed is a one of a kind creation and handmade in the US.

If you want to learn more about the inspiring story behind this Californian start-up, please read our interview with Sabina hereafter. Enjoy!

What were you and Chelsea doing before and how did you meet?

We both have award wining boutique design firms, hers based in Los Angeles, and mine in Laguna Beach. Chelsea has had a career focusing in hospitality design, working on a lot of the luxury resorts in Las Vegas, and I focus on residential and commercial projects in the Western United States.

We met last year when we were co-stars (both designers on the show) on the «Keyshawn Johnson: Tackling Design » show. The format of the show was residential design showcasing the “befores” of houses, the design process, and finishing with the final house being done. The caveat on the show was having a major sports player (Keyshawn Johnson) going through the process and remaking people’s living spaces.

Because Chelsea and I both grew up on a farm (her in Arkansas and I in Northern California) we became close and work wonderfully together. We had always discussed working together again.

Was there a triggering event to start designing a line of dogs and cat beds? And, how long did it take you from the initial idea to the actual launch of your first collection?

It all came about because I was looking for a chic, washable, on-trend, graphic, affordable, and edgy dog bed for my golden retriever Star and couldn’t find anything I loved after scowering the market. 

I realized I had to just design and manufacture my own, and then it dawned on me that I couldn’t possible be the only person wanting something a bit more sophisticated. I immediately called Chelsea to get her feedback and she instantly said “I love it, let’s do it.”  Fleabag was born, October ‘09!

From there it was round the clock brainstorming, market analysis, business plans, and hitting the streets meeting with fabric mills, work rooms, and factories until we found the right fit for our vision.

After about a month of meeting with the work rooms going over designs, tweaking the patterns, and reviewing samples we finally gave the green light to start the production of our Winter ‘09 line of Fleabags.

Where are Fleabag Beds available and what can we expect from your debut collection?

Right now you can order Fleabags online on our blog, on Etsy, by emailing us directly, and soon at pet retail locations in Southern California.  

We are debuting with 30 different fabric choices for the Winter line, and expect that Spring line will add approximately 10 new fabrics to the line, some of them being custom to us! The sizes are S (15”), M (30”), L (45”) and range from $68, $88, and $128 depending on size.

How would you describe your philosophy at Fleabag Beds?

Our mission was to create eco-conscious dog and cat beds that are on-trend, graphic, and edgy at an affordable price. A lot of the fabrics are made from organic cotton or hemp bamboo, which was an important choice for us along with manufacturing locally.  

How many employees do you have?

Currently Chelsea and I are the brainchildren behind the operation. We have a workroom of 10 manufacturing the beds and intend to employ a sales team to help stock to market and ship the beds!  

How do you and Chelsea split the work?

We work on all of the designs together and run all decisions by each other. It’s a joint operation so we don’t pull the trigger on a major decision without the others okay. Pretty seamless so far and we've had more fun than anything.

How would you describe your experiences in running a side business?

I guess at the end of the day if you love what you are doing and are excited to get working on it when you wake up, you are doing something right. I know that’s how both of us feel. Don’t get me wrong. It’s quite a handful, but we feel VERY lucky that such a simple idea has been so well received and we are able to be selling out.  I wake up wanting to pinch myself!

What has been the most exciting moment so far?

We showcased the first few Fleabags mid of November ’09 and received tons of pre-orders, custom orders, and had people fighting to buy our samples. It was so crazy we’re having to run a second order of beds from our workroom and we’re projecting they’ll be gone by mid-December. That I would say was the most amazing feeling - that people love what were doing and are creating a buzz!

What are your plans for Fleabag Beds’ future?

We plan to expand into major pet retail chains while continuing to produce new lines every season. We are working on manufacturing our own line of custom washable, graphic print, eco-friendly fabric for the beds that we are aiming to roll out by mid summer.

From there the sky's the limit, we just know we want to keep reaching!! That’s always been our motto and we both don’t really take “no” as an answer.

What would be your advice for other aspiring entrepreneurs?

No is not an option. If you want something, go get it. You are truly the only one holding you back.

What’s your favorite quote?

“There is no passion to be found in playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one your are capable of living.”- Nelson Mandela. I just melt at those words!

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