Today we’d like to introduce you to Sylvia Stadler
Hi Sylvia, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was a teacher/librarian for the public school system and retired in the summer of 2020. I was one of the twenty-three million Americans who got a pet during Covid. My sister and I established a walking routine during the lock downs and we kept running into a lady who had four goldendoodles. We would always stop and talk to her. After each encounter, my sister would always say, “you need one of those!” I would always respond with , “Nah, they are too big for me.” I was content with my two little senior dogs I had at home. But, those darn goldendoodles kept invading my thoughts and I couldn’t shake off the desire to search for goldendoodle puppies. Before I knew it, I found a breeder in town, put down a deposit, and waited for the puppies to be born. The moment I picked up Sky, I realized my life was about to change! She was already bigger than my two senior dogs and I knew we were in for a wild ride. She came charging into our lives like a tornado, leaving chaos in her wake! It was a bumpy ride, but I’ll admit, Sky has been the best addition to our family. When she turned one, I ordered a birthday basket for her online and when it arrived, I was extremely disappointed. The basket was filled with cheap toys and low quality treats. It was that basket that got me thinking….. I can do better than that! Sky’s birthday was in October and by December I had a business plan, product ideas, logo, business name, and the drive to get this business I now call Skylar Blue up and running. I started by offering basic baskets like birthday, welcome home, dog mom, dog dad, and at the last minute added a sympathy basket which has become my best seller.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Starting up a small pet gift basket business comes with challenges for sure. I had the ideas for the products I wanted to offer, but didn’t have the knowledge of how to execute the process of actually starting a business. I ended up using Zen Business to help with establishing my LLC, website domain, e-mail address, and other related items. It helps keep me compliant and up to date. I feel like I’ve grown so much since I started in 2022 but still have a lot to learn.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My pet related gift baskets help express the love we have for our pets. I offer gifts for every occasion , with unique options for dogs, cats, and their devoted humans, all designed to show you care. Whether you are looking to comfort a friend with a pet sympathy gift, celebrate a cat mom with a personalized present, or surprise your dog with a fun birthday gift, we have a selection that’s sure to bring joy to every pet and pet lover.
I am most proud of the sympathy gifts. They bring such comfort to the recipient and I see the gratitude when I deliver these gifts. I feel that pet owners deserve to have their grief acknowledged and these gifts are a great way to express your condolences.
My three dogs, Sky, Biscuit, and Ivy continue to inspire me with ideas for the business.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memories include traveling. My dad was in the military and we spent a good amount of my childhood in Germany. My parents were German so weekends were spent visiting our relatives in various towns. We also took road trips to Austria, Italy, and Spain. I loved our time together as a family and being exposed to different cultures definitely enriched my life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shopskylarblue.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/shop.skylar.blue
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/shop.skylar.blue
