If you had told me 5 years ago that I would be making dog collars for a living, I would have laughed.  A lot.  It’s funny what necessity can do…

Back in 2019, I was a full-time professional dog trainer with a successful 6-figure business.  I spent my days training and boarding client dogs.  I had successfully built this business over a 6 year period and loved what I did.  I made dog collars on the side for myself, my friends and a select group of loyal customers.  Dog training was my profession, dog collars were my hobby.

Then, in March of 2020, my world came to a grinding halt.  On March 17, 2020, the Ontario Government announced a 2-week lockdown of all in-person services in the province due to the growing concern over an emerging virus we called COVID-19.  Two weeks became two months.  One lockdown became three.  My livelihood disappeared.

Fusion By Design Collars sort of existed in 2019.  I had thrown together a website to make it easier for me to accept orders but the business wasn’t *really* a business.  In 2020, that all changed.

As my bank balance dwindled, I turned my attention to Fusion By Design Collars out of necessity.  The entire world was shopping online.  I began promoting our collars, spending long hours crafting them in my dining room.  Soon, my little fledgling business took over my living room and guest room!  And we had our first 6 figure year that same year.  Wait, what???

Since then, the business has moved out of my house (thank god!) and into its own 1,000 square foot building.  We’ve grown the team and added both full-time and part-time employees.  Dog training is now the hobby.

It’s funny what life can throw at you sometimes.  I never would have even considered this path with FBD had the pandemic not happened.

Fusion By Design Collars has grown into a company that brings unique, stylish and durable leather dog collars to life.  We continue to handcraft every collar right here in Ontario.  We make collars that you'll enjoy looking at and that your dog will be comfortable wearing.

What would I now tell the me from 5 years ago?  I would tell her that I’m right where I’m supposed to be, sharing the joy of my creations and that over 4,000 of them have gone out into the world.   ❤️

I continue to share my life with my dogs and I'm very lucky to be able to express my gratitude and share my love for what I do today with all of you.


Danielle
(pictured with Avro)