Dog owners throughout the world are well aware of the problem – sopping wet pets and the chaos that it can bring!
Help is at hand however – in the form of a Moray woman who made it her business to provide revolutionary ‘drying jackets’ for dogs.
Now the mastermind behind the development and growth of ‘Dogrobes’ has been named as Moray’s most enterprising businesswoman of the year.
Margaret Reynolds received her award at the recent Moray Business Women (MBW) charity awards ball at the Mansfield Hotel in Elgin. The award recognises her extensive efforts to steer her business – based at Auchindachy, near Keith – towards becoming more reliable, desirable and customer focussed.
Since taking over the business last year, Margaret has worked on brand identity and awareness, alongside production development and improvement.
Dogrobes now has its own logo, and is a registered trademark, giving it a strong, unique identity. A new Dogrobes website has been launched, and a distinctive Dogrobes exhibition tent has visited shows, fairs and events the length and breadth of Scotland.
This has allowed Margaret the opportunity to meet customers directly and explain the product, while also hearing their feedback and comments.
“Dogrobes has always been a great product, but we’ve worked hard and made it even better,” Margaret said.
She added: “We addressed issues relating to fabric supply, and production issues around meeting an increased demand for Dogrobes.
“Previously, sales were largely based on a word-of-mouth basis, which suited the size of the business, but we’ve expanded the potential market through advertising, marketing and promotion.
“It’s been a lot of hard work, but it’s been great getting out and about meeting customers, hearing their feedback and making business connections too.
“We have great customers who have sent us so many fabulous photos of their dogs wearing Dogrobes that we’ve introduced a photo gallery to feature these on our new website.
“It is wonderful that our efforts have been recognised and to receive this award from Moray Business Women.”
Dogrobes are marketed as ‘the easy way to dry our dog’ – they dry dogs quickly, are more effective than towel drying and protect surroundings from wet, muddy shake off.
They can be purchased from www.dogrobes.co.uk where there is also lots of information about the product.