Thanks to undertaking the challenge, that is running a blog, I have had the opportunity to interview many interesting and inspiring people. It has turned out that there are a lot of creative people on our domestic market, individuals, who really put their hearts into their products. As a result of the actions they take, many unique brands have been created out of passion and love for what they do. More and more young people are becoming brave enough to make their ideas a reality, and in consequence, they fulfill themselves in the areas of their true interest. In this way I came across a brand, which has really conquered my heart … the brand, which has found its place in the niche devoted to pet lovers. Today, I’m happy to introduce you to Monika – the owner of Benio Craft – who will shortly describe the way she has gone through, from coming up with an idea through market investigation to introducing the handmade accessories in the shops and on various kinds of fairs gathering people, who really care about the well-being of their beloved pets. It’s also worth mentioning that Benio Craft provides products not only for dogs, but also for their owners, which makes it even more unique.
Passion Piece: Could you tell my readers a few words about yourself?
Monika: I’m Monika, I deal with handmade accessories for pets and their owners under the brand Benio Craft. Many years ago, I graduated from polytechnic with masters degree. On a daily basis, I work as a chemical technologist.
Passion Piece: How did you come up with an idea of setting up your own business?
Monika: I had been dreaming of setting up my own business for many years. I had lots of different ideas, however I wanted to do what I loved most, something I was really good at. I was always happy while handling with manual tasks. As early as in primary school, during my design and technology classes, I would always do all the extra assignments which were meant for volunteer students. How, then, can we combine manual skills with love of animals? When little Benio had first appeared in our house, I started preparing various toys and mats for my dog. Later on, I came up with a conclusion that having such a wonderful tester was a great opportunity to start creating dog accessories on a wider scale. It took me some time from coming up with the right idea to its practical implementation in life. However, after a detailed market analysis, finding the right providers of high quality materials – we set up a brand under the name of Benio Craft.
Passion Piece: How do you reconcile you professional career with running your own business?
Monika: Despite the fact that there are only 24 hours in each day, I often lack time and I feel tired – seeing my pet’s happy muzzle while it’s testing new toys and mats or when I read and hear kind words of satisfied clients, my whole tiredness vanishes into thin air, and all the inconveniences I experience become totally meaningless. The most important is the fact that my work and my products bring happiness to dogs and their owners. There would be no Benio Craft brand without help and support provided by my amazing husband, I’m extremely grateful to him for that assistance.
Passion Piece: What distinguishes Benio Craft from other brands?
Monika: Benio Craft brand was set up out of passion and love for pets. It’s not a typical mass production, each product, which has been created in our workshop, is made with total attention to detail. We’re open to new suggestions, comments and our clients’ needs. Our customers are always the most important for us. We often make products for individual orders. These were the clients who told us that they would like to get bandannas for their pets in the same coloring as their bags or backpacks, so we introduced such sets into our offer.
The future of all animals – not only domestic ones – isn’t indifferent to us. That’s why, in our workshop, we don’t use any materials, whose production would be in any way harmful to them.
Passion Piece: How did you fall in love with dogs?
Monika: Pets have always been present in my home, not only dogs, but also rabbits, hamsters, parrots or fish. However, the dogs have really stolen my heart, each of them is different, each of them is unique.
Almost 3 years ago Benio appeared in our home. My husband and I call him ‘white fluffy fur’ and we have totally devoted our lives to Benio. Our brand name was inspired by our dog’s name. We plan all our going out, travels or even coming back home from work in a way that we could find some free time for a walk or play with Benio.
Passion Piece: What was the most difficult for you in placing your brand on the market?
Monika: As a new brand we had some difficulties with convincing potential clients to our products, as well as gaining their trust. However, after difficult beginnings our customers come back to us and they recommend our brand to their friends.
Passion Piece: Are people ready for this kind of products?
Monika: People are getting more and more aware, they are more willing to choose and appreciate Polish products, which are made with real attention to detail and only out of the finest materials. They also appreciate the fact that our products are created out of passion and love for dogs in small workshops, often these are single and customized accessories made for a particular client, who thanks to such a unique approach has the possibility to feel truly special.
Passion Piece: Where can dog lovers find you?
Monika: We take part in various types of fairs and events related to pet business, we travel around the whole country.
You can also find us in Hands Against the Machines in Brwinów near Warsaw, as well as online on the following websites: beniocraft, facebook, instagram and etsy.
Passion Piece: Have you got any other passions?
Monika: My another passion, initiated in my family home, is cooking. We never bought ready made meals, cakes and so on, we always prepared everything on our own from beginning to end. When I was younger, my mum cooked everything on her own. When I grew up, I helped her in the kitchen. From an early age, I was eager to spend my time preparing dumplings or creaming fluffy mixtures for cakes. In spite of the fact that I moved out of my parents’ house a long time ago, I still like spending my time in the kitchen preparing and creating new recipes.
Passion Piece:What are your plans for the nearest future?
Monika: In the nearest future, I’m planning to introduce a few new products in my offer and to start cooperation with more shops throughout Poland, as I’d love to be even closer to my clients.
Passion Piece: Which motto would you like to share with my readers?
Monika: It’s always worth making your dreams come true and pursuing your goals! You shouldn’t be afraid of fulfilling your dreams, doing what you love and taking actions here and now!
Passion Piece: Piece: Thank you very much for this wonderful conversation. I wish you continued success in promoting Benio Craft brand.
I hope that this interview will encourage you to reach for our national brands, which are not a typical mass production, but which pay special attention to satisfying needs of the most demanding clients.
See you around!
Yours,
Passion Piece
Photos by: Pagal Creative and Benio Craft
Website which you should visit: www.beniocraft.pl
Such beautiful items and she has great talent. Nice to know more people.
Sure, hope you'll have a chance to try them out! :)
Oh my goodness what some absolutely adorable makes! I could definitely see my pooch in one of the bandanas.
Awwww, so don't waste your time ... just get one for your pooch! :)
I bet there are plenty of dog lovers who would love these items. The bag are so cute to me.
Yes, the bags are very cute ... and every woman just needs them! :)
I just love her products. What cute bags. She picks the best colors.
She's great at that! :)
Jestem szczęśliwą posiadaczką worka od Benio Craft ? Jest rewelacyjny! A mój Zefir ucieszył się jak dziecko z maty węchowej wykonanej przez Monikę. Polecam każdemu, bo są to przedmioty tworzone z sercem do zwierząt i ludzi ?
Bardzo się cieszę, że osoba, która miała okazję wypróbować produkty tej marki również zabrała tu głos! Pozdrawiam! :)
Great read! Her products look amazing, so pretty! And your pictures are gorgeous... Chad www.mosaicslab.com
Beautiful women create beautiful products! :)
She is really an inspiration isn't she? She is a true artisan herself. Her works are amazing too.
Glad to hear that you think that my interviewee may be an inspiration for others! :)
This is such a cool interview. I definitely want to see her items, and some for my dog. Thanks for sharing.
Great to hear that! I invite you to visit her website then! :)
These dogs are so cute! It makes me want to get professional pictures of my puppy done.
Why not? You'll have something to remember then! :)
These are some really adorable products. I love that she does this on top of working another job. Just shows that she is super passionate!
One needs to have a great passion to do extra work after the regular one! :)
The items are so beautiful! I precisely love the tote bags. She is so creative indeed...and has a cute dog too.
Her dog must have been cute to become such a great inspiration for her. :)
Różowa kostka wymiata! Świetne torby. Bardzo przyjemny wywiad, miło było poznać twórczynię 'psich' gadżetów.
Cieszę się, że ci się podobało! Teraz nie pozostaje nic, tylko sprawienie sobie psiaka! :)
Such a great interview. I love those dogs, they are pretty
Great to hear that! :)
These are lovely pieces. I love finding new local companies to shop from.
Hope you'll find something interesting in the place where you live! :)
She is really talented. Love those crafts. I will share with friend who has dog.
Hope your friend will like her products! :)
She is really a true artisan. You can see the hardwork from the products What a great inspiration.
She pays much attention to detail, that's why her products are so unique. :)
Aww. The dogs are adorable. I love that she turned her passion into a business!
Turning her passion into a business made her so successful! :)
Ok, ok, ok, I love the pet accessories but overall I'm really impressed about this young lady! What an over achiever! Thanks for the inspiration!
Exactly, she's a young, beautiful and most importantly a talented woman! :)
She is really an inspiration! Love those crafts. The dogs are adorable.
Great to hear you like her works! :)
What lovely products for dogs and their owners :) I have cats, so would love some little crafty products like this x
I also have cats, I bet she will soon start creating products for cats, too! :)