Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiffanie And Jo Anna Gray.
Hi Tiffanie and Jo Anna, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
We started in 2018 when Joanna and I decided to turn our love for pets into something tangible. Our pets have always been more than animals to us. They’re family, they’re comfort, they’re our everyday joy. Naturally, we wanted to spoil them a little.
What began as a simple idea quickly grew into something much bigger. We started creating products we would genuinely use for our own pets. Stylish, practical, and made with care. From there, word spread, markets turned into repeat customers, and repeat customers turned into a community.
As a woman and minority-owned business, building this from the ground up has been both meaningful and empowering. We’ve grown step by step, learning as we go, staying hands-on, and always keeping our original mission at the center. If we wouldn’t put it on our own pets, we don’t sell it.
Today, we’re proud of how far we’ve come, but we still operate with that same heart we had in 2018. It’s personal for us. And we think people can feel that.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a perfectly smooth road, but that’s part of building something from the ground up. Like many small businesses, funding has been one of our biggest challenges. Every new product, event, or expansion decision takes careful planning when you’re reinvesting back into your own dream.
Running a growing business with just the two of us also comes with its limits. There are only so many hours in a day, and sometimes the growth outpaces the hands available to keep up. That’s been both exciting and humbling.
But with every challenge, we’ve learned something. We’ve grown alongside the business, not just in knowledge, but in confidence and resilience. What felt overwhelming at first now feels manageable because we’ve figured it out step by step.
And honestly, the smooth parts make it all worth it. Meeting new pets and their parents never gets old. Watching customers come back season after season, seeing their dogs in our products, and building relationships with other local business owners has created a real sense of community. That part has been incredibly rewarding.
We’ve learned that it’s not about having a perfectly paved road. It’s about building it as you go.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
We specialize in our signature Pet Bandana Bar, which is designed to feel a little like a hat or shirt bar for humans. Instead of grabbing something off a shelf, pet parents get to mix, match, and choose styles that fit their pet’s personality. It makes the experience fun, interactive, and personal.
We’re known for spoiling pets. Since 2018, that’s really been our thing. If there’s a way to make a pet look a little cuter or feel a little more celebrated, we’re probably going to do it. Our customers know that when they stop by, their pets are getting more than an accessory. They’re getting attention, love, and something made with intention.
What sets us apart is that experience. The Pet Bandana Bar isn’t just a product display. It creates a moment. People come back not just because they like the bandanas, but because they enjoy being part of it.
We’re also incredibly proud that we made it through the COVID period. That season tested a lot of small businesses, including us. Surviving it reminded us why we started in the first place and proved that our community truly supports us.
At the end of the day, we’re building more than a brand. We’re building a place where pets are celebrated and their people feel connected.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Community has always been at the center of what we do. We’re proud sponsors of the Corgi and Wiener dog races at Sam Houston Race Park, which is just as fun as it sounds and completely on brand for us. We also sponsor Pasadena Market and love being part of spaces that support other small businesses and local families.
Giving back is built into our business model. We donate portions of our sales to various shelters and create “Adopt Me” bandanas to help pets stand out and find their forever homes. That initiative continues to grow, and expanding it is something we’re really passionate about.
Behind the scenes, this business is powered by a lot of heart and a lot of hustle. Joanna works a full-time job, pursued and completed her bachelor’s degree, and still shows up to this business with just as much passion as ever. Everything we’ve built has been done with intention, persistence, and a deep love for what we do.
If we can spoil pets, support shelters, and strengthen our community all at the same time, that’s exactly where we want to be.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.petbandanabar.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tjgray1126
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tjgray1126
- Other: tiktok- @everthing.pets1126
