When Brianna Trpenovski, of Shell Cove, was in Year 10 she started a pop-up pet shop at the Kiama Seaside Markets.
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Now she the former Corpus Christi student is at uni, the growing demand for pet treats and fashion has prompted her to open two permanent shop fronts in Corrimal and Kiama.
Ms Trpenovski, 19, said COVID-19 was the reason her business has grown so rapidly during the last 15 months.
"People shopping for their dogs is such a massive thing, especially since COVID," she said.
"So many people bought COVID puppies. People now find so much value in their pups. They are no longer that dog in the backyard. They are being treated like another person. And they are always so grateful."
Furry 'n' Fabulous Pet Boutique opened in Railway Street, Corrimal six months ago followed by the recent opening of another near the terrace houses in Collins Street, Kiama.
"When we opened in Corrimal people really liked our products," Mrs Trpenovski said.
"Then we opened up in Kiama. This cottage shop is gorgeous.
"We opened the second store because our first pop up location was Kiama. We actually started our business by going to the markets there. We still do the Kiama Seaside Markets as well as The Foragers Markets and the Waterfront Markets at Shell Cove."
Furry 'n' Fabulous actually started trading in 2014 as an online business with a small pop up store.
Ms Trpenovski said it was originally her mum Beti Trpenovski's idea when she thought she was leaving work.
"When she decided not to do anything with it (Furry "n" Fabulous) I said "I'll do it"," Ms Trpenovski said.
"Since Year 10 I have been doing this. At the moment our most popular product is doggy sweaters. Some of them are 100 per cent wool and people are loving the winter sweaters. But our beds are also popular. They are very artistic. Some of them are hand drawn by an artist in Queensland."
Ms Trpenovski said she can't get enough of the pet beds with hand drawn Combi vans and birds.
"We are always looking for unique and different products," she said.
"Other pet stores aren't competition to us because we are completely different. We stock high class pretty things. We are a pet boutique. It is a bit like going into a clothes boutique.
"We sell luxury boutique brands from Australian and local brands. Our business helps other small businesses grow as we grow."
The product line ranges from shampoos and conditioners to doggie treats the Trpenovski family make at home.
Seven years after coming up with the idea Ms Trpenovski's mother is back involved behind the scene doing the book work. And her father Robert Trpenovski has become a dog person.
"He has become heavily involved in the business now," she said.
"He does all of our treats for us. He packs them and designs the packaging. It is funny because he wasn't a really big dog person. Now he has really been converted."
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Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
