Our Story
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Natalie Whealon
January 28, 2022
Rupert & Co started in 2018 after I became a dog mom to my sweet pup Rupert. It was Rupert's joy, love and energy that inspired a new creative outlet for me, dog accessories! With my design background in the apparel industry, it was only fitting for me to start making stylish bandanas for Rupert.
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Rupert, our rescue pup.
My husband and I got married September 30, 2017. We had a deal that after the wedding we would start looking for a rescue dog to join our family. As most of you can probably agree, wedding planning is a little stressful, so we wanted to wait to bring a pup into our home until all of the wedding fun was over!

It was on our honeymoon, sitting in a cute cafe in San Francisco, that I was scrolling through Petfinder and saw the photo of Rupert. His name was Lupert (which we were like that has to be a typo...right?!) We filled out the application right there and had an interview set up with the rescue organization for when we got home! We were nervous for our interview, but after meeting with the rescue we really felt ready to have a dog in our life.

Rupert was rescued from an over-breeding situation in Alabama. When we saw his photo on Petfinder he was already in a foster home in Alabama. He was scheduled for transport at the end of October. The day he arrived in Wisconsin was the day we were able to meet him and possibly bring him home. You might have guessed, it was love at first sight and he came home with us that day!
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These are the first photos I took of Rupert! He was the sweetest boy right away. This photo is in the car on the way home from picking him up!
My inspiration
At the time, I had recently left my job and was not entirely sure what would be next for me. After planning our wedding - and DIY-ing the entire thing - I had lots of time on my hands and creativity that needed an outlet.

Rupert did not like the cold Wisconsin winters, so my first project was to make a flannel and fleece jacket for him. I sat him on our kitchen island and started making a pattern that would fit his long and skinny body. This opened the door to all kinds of accessories for him and a new way for me to use my sewing and design experience. 
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The start of my business.
After months of sewing new products and playing with different materials, I decided to make it official and start a website. My first collection was focused on creating essential pieces for your dog's wardrobe that were beautiful and would easily incorporate with your own style. I looked at home decor trends for inspiration and came across crushed velvet. I wanted to use this luxury material for dog collars.

My first collection launched October 2018 and included collars, bows, poop bag holders and bandanas.
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Rupert's big reveal! This was our first professional photo session and he was just the best boy!
Where we are today. 
We brought home puppy Cleo in November 2020. Rupert and Cleo have become best friends and we love having the two of them together - watching them play, snuggle and grow up together has been so much fun! 

We moved from Milwaukee to Saint Louis in 2019 and from Saint Louis to Fond du Lac in 2021. We bought our dream property on Lake Winnebago and Rupert & Co has its own workshop! At our Rupert & Co HQ, I design all of our collections, print the fabric and sew our bandanas. I am so proud with how far this business has come and hope for continued growth this year in our new workshop. 

Thank you for being on this journey with us! 

With Love, 
Natalie, Rupert & Cleo 
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