Patent Attorney and Founder
I’ve got to give a big shoutout to YouTube University, because honestly, that’s where this whole journey started. I’m an electrician and a chef by trade, not exactly the kind of background you’d expect from someone inventing a pet product. I didn’t know a thing about product design, patents, or manufacturing, so I soaked up everything I could online. Podcasts, videos, forums, you name it. My education came straight from the internet.
So, for anyone out there thinking, “I can’t do it”, yes, you can. You just have to be willing to learn, take chances, and push past the fear.
That’s how the Paws Leash was born, a pet-securing device that makes life easier for people who love taking their dogs everywhere. The one I’m holding now is the large Paws Leash, designed for medium to large dogs. It clips securely to almost any post or pole with a simple click-click-click. Whether you’re at a park, a café, or a cookout, you can safely secure your dog in seconds.
And for smaller dogs, we’ve got the Small Paws Leash, light, sleek, and available in different colors. It’s part of our first product line, now up for sale with a holiday discount on our website.
But let me tell you how it all started.
My neighbor had a little shih tzu named Louie. I’d walk Louie after work, usually around 5:30. The problem was, I’d get business calls at the same time, I ran a small catering company on the side. Picture this: phone in one hand, leash in the other, dog pulling one way while I’m trying to jot down an order with my free elbow. Total chaos.
So one day, I sat down with a pad of paper and sketched out what I needed, a leash that could hold steady while freeing up my hands. I thought, surely this already exists. But after checking Amazon, Walmart, and every pet store I could find, there was nothing like it.
That’s when I told my mom, “I think I’m going to invent something.” She smiled and said, “You know, when I was younger, I wanted to invent a toothbrush that dispensed toothpaste for campers. I just never followed through.” That stuck with me. I told her, “Well, I’m going to follow through.”
From there, I dove deep. I took online classes, learned about prototyping, patents, and manufacturing. My mom saw how serious I was, she even invested in me, using money from selling our grandparents’ house. That was the turning point.
Once I had the basics down, I reached out to JD and began building a plan, understanding the product, the market, and the competition. Then came the prototypes. With help from Chris, I learned 3D printing and created 20 different leash versions. For a full year, I tested them with real dog owners, big dogs, small dogs, everything in between. We gathered feedback, refined the design, and built something strong enough to pull a car in our Instagram demo.
Originally, I wanted the leashes to be Made in America, but it was too costly. I would’ve had to charge over $150 per leash. That just didn’t sit right with me. Eventually, I connected with a manufacturer overseas who not only believed in me but offered lifetime tooling and incredible quality. That partnership allowed us to keep prices fair while still offering a lifetime warranty.
Now, we’re expanding. We’ve got colorful styles coming soon, bright orange, pink, multicolor designs, even personalized leashes with your dog’s name or your favorite sports team. We’re also working on a retractable line, but that one’s still under wraps until JD gives it a green light.
When it comes to selling, I’ve found that in-person events are gold. Don’t get me wrong, social media is great for exposure. But nothing beats showing people the product, letting them feel it, use it, and see it in action. That face-to-face connection builds trust and excitement in a way a post just can’t.
We’ve got big things lined up for next year, including the American Pet Products Association Trade Show, basically the Super Bowl of pet products. The Paws Leash is up for Product of the Year, and we’re bringing cameras to capture everything live for our online audience.
That’s my approach for 2025, show up, go live, and keep people connected to the journey.
As for advice to other inventors? Simple: no fear. You’ve got to go all in. Don’t be afraid to fail, it’s part of the process. Every misstep teaches you something you’ll need later.
If you’re still hesitating, maybe that’s your answer. But if you feel that fire, that pull to make something better, then start. Learn. Build. Keep moving.
Because if I can do it, a chef and electrician with zero experience, so can you.