We had the good fortune of connecting with Maria Avendano and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maria, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
A couple of years ago I had wanted to have a business with which I could translate my idea and offer it to the world. I have a two year old Golden Retriever, Max. So I also had in mind to help animal shelters on a monthly basis, but that idea came up shortly after I started.

A year ago I used to draw residential plans for my clients, but it was something that I was no longer passionate about. Since the beginning of last year I became interested in fashion design, so I did face-to-face courses, and during the pandemic I took other online courses, I practiced my sewing and it was then that I created my first bandana as a gift to a doggy friend, who met one year old. And that’s where it all started.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business is dedicated to designing accessories for our furry, we focus mainly on bandanas, which are made with natural fiber fabrics such as lyocell, linen, cotton, among others.

Everything around us is inspiration, so we are taking ideas of a color, country, or a specific season. And with those ideas we create our collections. We love the different and the detail in each piece, so we make sure that each stitch is done well.

We are proud to offer quality to our furry animals, they give us so much that this is our way of thanking them, in addition to this, we want to support organizations such as animal shelters and at the same time collaborate with our planet, offering materials of natural and environmentally friendly origin. , so our biodegradable packaging could not be the exception.

We are very excited about the reaction of people when they see our products and their interest in them. This March 2021 was our first Market, (since for now we do not have a physical store, but it is in our plans) and the experience was incredible, we were delighted with the acceptance of people and the connection with them through their furry . Of course Max was with us too and had a lot of fun meeting and playing with new friends. That, without a doubt, fills us with joy, it is something that motivates us to continue creating super cute designs for our furry friends. They are our motivation.

It was easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges?

It is not easy when you have to start from scratch in a trade, sewing is something that perhaps looks very easy, at first, as everything you have to adapt and practice. It was a technique that I did not master at first, and I was afraid of ruining it. So I took some face-to-face courses with which I learned a lot and gained confidence, and I said to myself: “well, after all, I’m not that bad at this” hahaha.

Another thing I did not know was how to combine the colors, as a child the combinations were not my strong suit haha. Nor did he know how to make collections, how to get different patterns and cuts. It was all new to me, so I took other online fashion design courses during the 2020 pandemic, and that’s when I learned a lot about fashion design. And I’m still learning.

What are the lessons you have learned along the way?

Well, since I arrived in this country 5 years ago, I have gone through good times, where I have met many incredible people that I still keep in my life, as well as many other moments that have been of much learning, and I thank each one of them because They have led me to where I am now.

In the jobs I had I never felt comfortable, except for my co-workers. I have had the possibility of creating businesses with other people, but for some reason they did not happen. I believe in destiny and that things happen for a reason, so I decided to follow my instincts and do my business on my own.

I have also learned to give myself the opportunity to meet people, to know their stories, to understand them. I learned that we are not competition, each one has the magic of it, we are all different so, to everything we do we give the touch that characterizes us. Clients are of all types and tastes. So, for me, there is no competition, rather we must support each other and grow together. It is not necessary to trample some for others to shine. why not shine all?

What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?

My name is Maria Fernanda, I like to be called MaFer and not just Maria. I am from Venezuela and I have lived in Texas for 5 years. Studied Construction Management in my country.

When I got here I cleaned and painted houses, then I got a job as a residential house drafter, I learned for two years and decided to continue on my own. I got to a point where I was no longer fascinated and became interested in fashion design at the beginning of last year 2020. I am married and we have a two year old Golden Retiever who I love madly. Since Max is with us my life has changed. I have always been aware of animals and nature, but since Max is with us I am much more aware.

The name Hi Mr. Doggy, came from a family outing. One day the three of us went for a walk to a park and a family was coming out, and a very kind boy greeted Max saying: “Hi Mr. Doggy” with his super sweet little voice. Oh My God, my husband and I died of love.

At the time I decided to establish the brand, I was looking for a name and none of them I liked, and then that phrase came to me and it was several days in my mind, so I took it. I love sharing this story, I find it very sweet, and saying Hi Mr. Doggy is saying Max.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We would definitely visit downtown Dallas, The Klyde Warren Park has been one of my favorite places since I got here, Also the Lewisville lake to paddle board, I love it and I’m teaching Max to ride the board, he’s doing it so well haha. And of course The Oasis in Austin, is my favorite place, the view is incredible, if you like to watch the sunset in a super relaxed place with your family, your dog and / or friends, it would certainly be that place. I would take them to eat at The Rustic in Flower Mound, their food is exquisite, Lazy Dog of course, varied and very rich food, at Fiori all their Italian food is divine, we also could not stop passing through Flower Child where there is a nice atmosphere and delicious vegan food.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I thank my husband very much who was the one who supported me from the first bandana I made, (which was made without thinking that I would dedicate myself to this trade) he told me, I would invest in this hahaha. So I thank you for supporting me, guiding me, scolding me haha ​​and encouraging me to achieve my passion. Also my family who always support me in everything, as long as they know that what I do makes me happy, they will be with me at all times. I also thank this country that has given me opportunities to grow personally and professionally, I have learned a lot about its culture, its people, and that has influenced my life and what I do now.

Website: www.himrdoggy.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hi.mr.doggy/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HiMr.Doggy

Other: https://www.pinterest.com/BandanasHiMrDoggy/_saved/ https://www.etsy.com/shop/HiMrDoggy https://www.tiktok.com/@hi.mr.doggy?

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.