Sandra and Luka didn’t expect their quirky pet project to make them millionaires, but that’s exactly what happened when they created a special harness for Sandra’s chunky bulldog, Carlos.
Now, their business is booming, and they’re living proof that big dreams can come from small ideas.
It All Started With Carlos
Sandra Abade was frustrated when she couldn’t find a comfortable harness for her 35-kilo bulldog, Carlos.
“Nothing fit him properly,” she explained. So, Sandra and her brother Luka Maric decided to make one themselves.
At first, it was just a fun experiment. Little did they know, it would change their lives.
Back in 2019, Sandra was working in airline operations, and Luka was in marketing.
With their combined skills, they were able to design and launch a dog harness that stood out from the crowd. Luka, always the go-getter, quit his job to dive into the business full-time.
Sandra wasn’t so sure at first. “I was comfortable in my 9-to-5 job,” she admitted. “But Luka believed we could do something bigger.”
The Name That Changed Everything
When testing their harness design, they added a little extra feature—a spot to display Carlos’s name.
It was a simple idea, but it caught people’s attention. “At the dog park, everyone loved it.
People started calling Carlos by his name,” Sandra said.
It wasn’t just about names, though. The harness could share helpful info, like if a dog was anxious or up for adoption.
Suddenly, their product wasn’t just stylish; it was practical, too.
From Side Hustle to Superstar Brand
Sandra and Luka named their brand Dog Friendly Co. and started selling harnesses for all dog sizes, from tiny Pomeranians to giant Rottweilers.
Instead of shrinking designs for big dogs, they started with Carlos and worked backward, ensuring a perfect fit for every pup.
Their big break came when some famous furry friends started sporting their gear.
Formula 1 superstar Lewis Hamilton’s dog, Roscoe, and Aussie presenter Sophie Monk’s dog, Bluey, were seen wearing Dog Friendly Co. harnesses on social media.
The celebrity buzz skyrocketed their sales.
Learning Through Challenges
In 2020, the demand for their products became overwhelming. “We sold out way faster than expected,” Sandra recalled. “It was stressful apologizing to customers, but it taught us a huge lesson about planning.”
By 2024, the siblings had opened a warehouse in the U.S. to keep up with global orders.
Their business has been growing by 100% every year, and in just one month, they sold over 100,000 products.
Thinking Bigger and Loving Dogs
Their success didn’t stop at harnesses. Inspired by Carlos, they’ve expanded their product line to include orthopaedic beds, lifejackets, and cooling mats.
“We’re obsessed with making the best products for dogs,” Sandra said. “I never thought I’d be doing this, but I’m so grateful Luka pushed me to dream bigger.”
Opinion: Small Ideas Can Lead to Big Wins
Sandra and Luka’s journey shows that you don’t need a revolutionary idea to succeed.
Sometimes, solving a simple problem like finding the right harness for a chunky bulldog can lead to something extraordinary.
It’s also a reminder to trust those who believe in you and take risks when the opportunity arises.
If they can turn a fun pet project into a multimillion-dollar business, what’s stopping you?
So, if you’ve got a dream or even just a quirky idea, go for it. Who knows? You might just create the next big thing.