This week’s 60 second interview comes from Mirren Fischer (Chief Dog-Spoiler @luxuryhound). Mirren is an American architect and entrepreneur living in Edinburgh since 2008. She doesn’t like to acknowledge she’s a techie in public, but she definitely has a geek-streak!
What’s your startup?
Luxuryhound. We encourage people to spoil their dogs. More specifically, we design and make designer dog accessories in Scotland, mostly from leathers and tweeds, but we also have a more urban line of sparkly crystal collars.
Who/what inspired you to go down this road?
Even though I’m not a Paris Hilton type, I had a ‘handbag’ dog, and I took her everywhere with me; she really was a sort of substitute child. I then started noticing that I was part of a global trend of people anthropomophising their pets (and thereby spending more money on them) and yet, at the time, there wasn’t much out there that I thought was special. I was actually pushed to start the company when the recession carried away a lot of the design work in Scotland and I had to figure out something else to do.
What’s the next big challenge or hurdle that the company has to overcome?
I’ve been building my brand online, but in order to make the leap to larger sales I need to start selling wholesale. Shops like Harrods and Saks Fifth Avenue are in my sights, but my biggest hurdle is how shy I am about direct sales. When I talk to people about my products I know I convey passion and integrity; it’s just making the initial cold contact that terrifies me! Continue Reading »
True North Productions are looking for a family to take part in a new Ch4 programme which aims to change their lives for the better.
In London right now? Sitting on your couch reading Startup Cafe whilst yet again trying to water down that ever worse Sunday morning hangover? Thinking this is another week end wasted away, another week is about to start; your shirts are not ironed and the prospects of that corporate job of yours aren’t that bright? Well get up, brush your teeth and head East. 
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