Clocking In Podcast

Voices of NC Manufacturing, your host Phil Mintz, Director of the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP). We will be interviewing some of the manufacturers who have made North Carolina manufacturing the powerhouse it is today.

Episode 08

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2 Hounds Design

Production Team

Talent/Host: Phil Mintz
Executive Producer: Teresa Bradford
Producer: Shelby Kimes
Sound/Audio Engineer and Editor: Mike Reep
Graphic Designer: Casey Hembrick

E-08: Fetching Designs

2 Hounds Design: Alisha Navarro

A small start-up that began in the home of Alisha Navarro, transforms into one of the most respected dog accessory manufacturers in the pet industry.

There are almost 90 million dogs currently owned in the US. As dogs have become a more integral part of American life, their owners have sought more quality and variety in their little friend’s accessories. Our next Clocking In guest invested just $500 dollars into starting a company that could supply this new demand.

I had the pleasure of interviewing founder and president of 2 Hounds Designs, Alisha Navarro and several members of her organization’s workforce. Alisha founded the company in 2003. She was tired of looking at the same four walls at her white collar job and started sewing dog collars part-time. As she saw increased demand for her products, she was able to quit her job and focus on 2 Hounds Design full time.

The organization is located in Indian Trail, North Carolina, a small suburban town located 30 minutes south of Charlotte, North Carolina. 2 Dogs Designs’ no-pull harnesses have been rated as one of the best by professional dog trainers. The company has been mentioned in prestigious magazines such as New York Magazine and Business Insider, as well as pet industry networks.

On this episode of Clocking In, we discuss the founding of 2 Hounds Designs, trends within the pet industry, the growth of 2 Hounds Designs workforce, what’s in 2 Hounds Design’s future and more.

About

Phil Mintz

Phil Mintz is the executive director of NC State Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) and director of the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP). At NCMEP, Phil drives outreach to NC manufacturers, builds relationships with federal and state leaders and coordinates efforts to drive profitable manufacturing growth in the state. He also leads the broader IES extension operations outreach unit of regional managers, technical specialists and business development leaders providing business engagement, assessment and improvement tools. This includes statewide peer networks, ISO 9000 quality management systems, Six Sigma, Lean manufacturing, environmental services, and health and safety solutions.

Alisha Navarro

Alisha Navarro is the founder and president of 2 Hounds Designs in Indian Trail, North Carolina. She graduated from Lenoir-Rhyne College in 2001 where she double majored in physics and mathematics. She went on to Appalachian State where she earned her masters in physics in 2003. Alisha was named Woman of the Year in the Corporate Category by the Women in the Pet Industry Network.