Today we’d like to introduce you to Cindy Deras.
Cindy, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was born and raised in a small and beautiful country in Central America, Honduras. I studied Marketing and International Business. Coming from a family of entrepreneurs, I always dreamed of having my very own business and being successful in life. On my road to discover the type of business, I came across my two Chihuahuas who became my inspiration.
In 2007, I opened a pet boutique. My store was so little I could barely fit one customer at a time! I then started working on my website and next thing I knew customers were coming from everywhere! By then, I was also able to distribute my products thru some larger national retailers.
A few months later, I was a victim of crime and thankfully made it out unharmed. After this incident, my parents decided it was time to leave our beloved country in search for safety. In 2008, we moved to the U.S. and started a new life with bigger dreams. I opened a new company, created my brand Parisian Pet and found new channels to sell my products while I continued supplying my customers in Honduras.
In 2010, I got married and brought my husband on board. I literally made him quit his engineering career to help me grow our business. Best decision ever! It took us about three months to restructure our company and everything went skyrocketing from there. We started exhibiting on the largest trade shows in the pet industry and our brand is now recognized worldwide. We currently supply over 2,000 pet businesses in the U.S., Latin America and Europe, including national and online retailers.
I honestly can’t say that I have made this on my own. I’m blessed with the fact that God has always guided me through every step. I am thankful to have such wonderful parents and the most amazing husband I could have asked for. We make a great team.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I really don’t think there is an easy road to success. It takes years of hard-work and dedication to reach such a worthy milestone. From creating unique products that have significant competitive advantage, to developing strategies and responding to changing marketing needs.
Over the past decade, I have focused in the transition from traditional to digital marketing, building an A-team and learning to delegate to be able to scale our operations.
Parisian Pet – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Parisian Pet is a luxury brand of pet products. We design and manufacture a wide variety of high quality products ranging from pet clothing, accessories, carriers and travel, to hygiene. We don’t focus on creating just products, we create a lifestyle. Our products help pet owners incorporate pets into their families in a fun and practical way. They are not only fashionable and trendy, but they also provide comfort and safety to our pets.
As an entrepreneur I cannot focus on just one area. I control and direct several areas such as administrative, marketing, design and product creation.
I am known as a team leader. I provide guidance, direction and support to all my team members, so we can all work in the same direction towards the achievement of our goals and projections.
It makes me proud to be an active part of this growing pet industry. To be able to create a solution to pet owner’s needs and at the same provide a fun way to do it. To be able to support important causes and help others. To be an inspiration to many.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success to me is being able to make a meaningful contribution to society. It is being able to share my knowledge with others and help them achieve their dreams. It is having a healthy, happy and loving family and being able to provide for all their needs. Success is knowing that through my work, I can make many others happy too.
Contact Info:
- Address: 10856 NW 27th St, Miami FL 33172
- Website: www.parisianpet.com
- Phone: (305) 463-7151
- Email: info@parisianpet.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parisianpet
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/parisianpet
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