Meet Malgorzata Rafalowicz, the visionary founder behind DoodlePals, a brand that transcends the ordinary, seamlessly blending style with compassion. In the heart of this venture lies not just a business, but a profound movement towards a conscious lifestyle—one that embodies goodness for people, pets, and the environment.
The journey of DoodlePals began in the world of dog breeding, where Malgorzata led her own breeding business named Cavadoodle. A moment of realization struck her as she sought resources like leashes, toys, and harnesses for her canine companions.
Unwilling to compromise on quality and disheartened by the plastic-filled assortments in chain stores, Malgorzata embarked on a mission. Fuelled by her love for dogs and a genuine concern for the environment, she birthed DoodlePals—a brand that produces animal-focused items, emphasizing a deep respect for nature and an unwavering commitment to aesthetic excellence.
In essence, this interview with Malgorzata Rafalowicz is an exploration of a brand that transcends the realms of commerce, embodying a compassionate lifestyle where style and consciousness coexist harmoniously. It’s an inspiring narrative that invites readers into the world of DoodlePals, where every purchase is a step towards a better, more considerate world…
Tell us the story behind DoodlePals. What inspired you to create a brand that focuses on goodness for people, pets, and the environment?
It’s a lengthy story, but I’ll try to condense it. It all began while I was leading my own dog breeding business named Cavadoodle. I noticed the need for resources like leashes, dens, toys, or harnesses.
However, I couldn’t tolerate the poor-quality, plastic-filled assortment offered in chain stores. Loving dogs and caring about the environment, I aimed to make people around me joyful and happy. That’s when the idea of establishing DoodlePals was born—a brand that produces animal-focused items, respects nature, and embraces aesthetic design.
The concept of “all goodness for you, your pet, and the environment” is powerful. Can you share specific initiatives or products that reflect this philosophy?
Every decision at Doodlepals revolves around social and environmental responsibility. From choosing only eco-friendly materials and local producers to educating people through the Cavadoodle blog, I give my 100% to improve our lives. Details like non-plastic packaging and delivery by courier companies using electric cars are crucial for me.
Sustainability is a key focus for DoodlePals. How do you ensure your products are environmentally friendly, and what challenges have you faced in maintaining this commitment?
While I trust people in everyday life, at Doodlepals, I meticulously control product quality and every step of manufacturing. Each batch of material must be checked and labeled as ecological during sourcing and production.
Ensuring my choices reduce the carbon footprint sometimes involves numerous calls and emails, resembling detective work. The main challenge is measuring the social justice of my choices, such as ensuring fair salaries for workers. That’s why I opt for small businesses, often family-led, instead of mass production.
In what ways does DoodlePals contribute to animal welfare? Are there any partnerships or initiatives aimed at helping animals in need?
Charitable actions are usually kept discreet, but every month a percentage of revenue goes to a local shelter. This donation supports the shelter directly or is used to purchase quality dog food. Additionally, I collaborate with a foundation supporting blind people, introducing dog therapy by providing them with a dog from my breeding.
The blog also serves as a form of contribution by educating people about the care and treatment of dogs, not limited to Doodles.
DoodlePals is not just a brand but a movement toward a more conscious lifestyle. How do you envision your customers adopting this ethos into their everyday lives?
Most of my customers are conscious consumers who align with environmental and social commitments. Emails and calls received at Doodlepals often indicate that they are already conscious consumers, asking questions about the eco-friendliness of products.
For those not yet sure about choosing eco-friendly items, the quality and design of Doodlepals goods serve as proof that green products are reliable.
Collaborations with publications like Vogue indicate a strong sense of style associated with your brand. How do you balance aesthetics with functionality in your products for both pets and their owners?
Doodlepals claims to produce both aesthetic and functional products, rejecting the notion that mass products must sacrifice one for the other. By not focusing on mass production or prioritising revenue, the brand creates products that meet the needs of dog breeders and owners alike. I personally use Doodlepals accessories for all the dogs in my breeding.
Your website mentions a variety of products. Could you highlight a particular product that embodies the essence of DoodlePals and share the thought process behind its creation?
If I were to choose one product, it would be our “Vanilla Friends” den – one of our first products. Recognising that every dog, like a human, needs a comfortable and safe place to rest, the creation process prioritized quality over quantity.
Eco-friendly components with the best quality were chosen, even if they were more expensive, to meet the expectations of customers valuing social responsibility and top-level production.
Building a brand often involves overcoming challenges. Can you share a challenging moment in DoodlePals’ journey and how you navigated through it?
Starting the business was the most challenging part, as is the case for many entrepreneurs. Doubts about the success of the idea and whether people would think similarly were prevalent. After sleepless nights and discussions with family and friends, I decided to overcome the obstacles with all the energy I had. The leap of faith turned out to be successful, reinforcing my belief in myself and the Doodlepals brand.
Community engagement seems important to DoodlePals. How do you involve your customers in shaping the brand, and what role do their feedback and suggestions play in your decision-making process?
Doodlepals is portrayed as an open book where customers can leave their mark and write their story. All opinions are welcome, as long as they aren’t hate speech.
Customer feedback provides insights into product expectations, surprises, shortcomings, or positive experiences. Each opinion prompts the brand to find a solution and implement it quickly. Customers are viewed as honest, helpful advisors, and friends rather than mere sources of revenue.
What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs who want to start a business that is not only successful but also socially and environmentally responsible, based on your experience with DoodlePals?
The strongest advice would be simple: believe in your actions. Despite discouragement from some who may consider eco-friendly materials expensive or a marketing trick, maintaining belief in your social and environmental mission is key. This belief becomes part of your brand identity, and people will eventually believe in it as a value of your product.
DoodlePals’ presence in both national and international publications is impressive. Can you share how your brand connects with diverse cultures and audiences, and what you’ve learned from these interactions?
The most crucial lesson is that love is an international and universal language. Regardless of origin, gender, or wealth, if you love animals, you belong to a vast and strong community. Exchanging experiences with dog breeders and their audiences worldwide fosters international partnerships, contributing to the brand’s growth.
Innovation is crucial in any industry. How does DoodlePals stay ahead of the curve when it comes to creating new and innovative products for pets and their owners?
Doodlepals focuses on dog comfort and joy when creating new products. By not prioritising fashion or design trends, the brand stays ahead of the industry, where many producers focus on marketing or using affordable materials for higher revenue. Prioritising the well-being of dogs over profit allows Doodlepals to be considered innovative in a capitalistic world.
DoodlePals seems to blend style with compassion seamlessly. Can you share an anecdote or a customer story that encapsulates the impact your brand has had on someone’s life, either human or furry?
A few weeks ago, I created a dedicated subpage on my Cavadoodle website titled “How my life changed after Doodle.” The most inspiring impact, in my opinion, is the cooperation with Dogs for Life, a foundation gathering disabled people requesting various forms of dog therapy.
Contributing one of my Goldendoodles to their foundation, making it the first Doodle in Poland working in dog therapy, will undoubtedly have a positive impact on them, me, and the well-being of the dog.
Looking ahead, what exciting plans does DoodlePals have for the future? Are there upcoming product launches, collaborations, or initiatives that your customers and followers can look forward to?
While I don’t plan many things in advance, collaborations with graphic designers and local manufacturers will continue. A new collection of dog accessories, crucial for winter, will be launched soon. Living in the moment and staying stress-free is my approach, allowing life’s surprises to unfold.
Our readers love to travel; what destination is at the top of your bucket list?
Sudety or Beskidy – these two mountain chains in the south of Poland offer beautiful views and a magnificent, mysterious aura. Perfect for active hikers, alone or with their dogs, these destinations are worth visiting. The local cuisine and hospitality, especially in Sudety, make it a perfect travel destination.
When lacking motivation, what’s your go-to quote?
Michael Jordan’s quotes are a source of inspiration in challenging moments. Two that resonate with me are: “I can accept failure because everyone fails at something, but I can’t accept not trying” and “If you quit once, it will become your habit – don’t quit.”
Where can people follow you and find out more?
If you’re curious about Doodlepals, check my Instagram or browse through my store at doodlepals.pl. Additionally, visit cavadoodles.pl for more detailed information about Doodles and dogs in general.
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