With a name that derived from sharing a home with three fat rescue kitties, 3 Fat Cats is an on-line business based in Lanark, Scotland, and offers a range of unique corrugated cat scratch furniture at affordable prices. These attractive alternatives save your own walls, carpets and furnishings from taking the hit.
Here, we go behind the brand to find out more…
When did you launch the brand and what was the reason behind it?
I launched in 2014. Having lost the will to live in trying to source a replacement cardboard scratch bed that didn’t look well… ‘catty’, I finally came across a couple of items and I thought why not? Before I knew it, I had a name, a logo and 750 products were heading my way.
What’s your background? I left school intending to go into fashion design, my grandmother admired the fact that I had hand-stitched a garment so she gifted me a sewing machine for my 16th birthday and I still have it. I ended up however, working in various accounts departments, continuing to enjoy dressmaking/design as a hobby. For the past 29 years I’ve worked for the media – of which the last 6 years working from home due to health issues. My social life became non existent however, this business has replaced that and helped restore my confidence.
How many people are involved in the company and what are their roles? Just me, myself I – however, hubby Phil lends a hand going over to the storage and assisting with dispatching. Photographer Andy Barr (www.andybarr.com) does a fabulous job bringing the products to life for the website and I guess the kitties do their bit in testing the products!
If you could start over with the business, would you do anything differently? Maybe some different purchasing choices but you learn as you go along. No more ceramics – that’s for sure!
What is the hardest challenge you have faced since you started the company? Finding new customers! The products are ultra-durable and they are lasting longer than the standard scratch pads giving great value for money. Quality speaks for itself however, it’s a constant challenge to find ways to reach out to new customers.
Tell us one fact about you that people wouldn’t know? I have a three-tune-repertoire on my harmonica.
Where do you plan on taking the brand in 2018? I have many U.K. customers however, there are quite a few U.S. cat lovers desperate for an item of my scratch furniture. Unfortunately, courier costs are horrendous so constantly looking for a way to reach them.
To date, what has been the highlight since launching? Definitely introducing my very own registered designs, the Roman Emperor in particular, as I personally thought it had the ‘wow’ factor. It’s a classic design and very popular.
Which city do you feel most at home in, London, Paris or New York? Having lived in Scotland the past 35 years, I have to say Glasgow!
Three beauty products you can’t leave the house without? Body lotion, hand cream and lipstick.
Style means…? Individuality.
Best thing about London to you? Not having to live there! I couldn’t cope with that fast pace.
If you had to, what piece of clothing from your wardrobe would you wear everyday? My comfy jeans. Best place for a coffee? The Wild Bean Cafe at Killington Lake service station, M6 Southbound, serves up the best Black Forest Gateau latte.
Most memorable piece of advice given to you? My father used to say ‘expect what you get and then you won’t be disappointed’
Guilty pleasure? Chocolate If you could spend 24 hours anywhere in the world, where would it be? Relaxing on a sun drenched beach in Mauritius. In future, how do you plan on expanding the company? I’ve love every design-conscious cat owner to own an item of 3 Fat Cats furniture!
www.3fatcats.shop Email: 3fatcatsuk@gmail.com facebook.com/3fatcats pinterest.com/3fatcatsuk twitter.com/3fatcatsuk instagram.com/3fatcatsuk