That one leash eventually became Savvy Chic Pawz, a company built around Nguyen’s tailor-inspired approach to pet accessories.
Bow ties start at $16, regular collars at $26 and leashes at $24. Bow tie collars start at $40, while slip-over collar bandanas begin at $28 and ties at $16. The products come in bright, distinctive patterns that have become part of the company’s recognizable style.
For Nguyen, the transition into the pet-accessory industry was somewhat unexpected. She jokes that her closest connection to dogs is her daughter’s dog, whom she affectionately calls her “granddog.”
But sewing was familiar territory.
She remembers putting on her first button when she was 8 and beginning to sew at 10. With seven siblings, Nguyen says there were no babysitters to watch them after school, so she and her siblings would spend time with their father and help with his work.
“I mean, where were child labor laws back then?” Nguyen jokes.
That early experience shaped the way Nguyen approaches Savvy Chic Pawz today. She pays close attention to the details of each product, from the fabrics and hardware to the stitching and finishing.