Meet Fay Andersson | Owner and Chief Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Fay Andersson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Fay, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Louie de Coton is a performance fashion brand for dogs and people. We are a leader in crafting eco-conscious clothings, bags and accessories. We have been taking an active role in helping the community and our environment in various ways. 1) Being ALL American Brand – By that we mean from the start to finish! We design each product carefully with our team in Seattle, Washington. We make all of our samples, and manufacture them here. We even go further in our mission to save jobs in US by using made in USA components as much as possible. We believe buying American made goods is an essential part of boosting the national economy and supporting American jobs.
2) We strongly believe environmental sustainability is a must for our planet. With global warming, the time is now and we all are responsible to take an immediate action. Our brand combines quality, comfort and consciousness by using components made from recycled materials and plastic bottles instead of new fabrics or plastics to help with the planet’s plastic pollution problem. e.g. our PolartecⓇ Thermal ProⓇ fleece jackets and our cooling sun shirts with UPF50. We have started using more products with organic fabrics and foams that are made in US.
3) By using American components we reduce our carbon footprint which is very important for our environment. Additionally, our packaging is minimal and encourage our customers to recycle our packaging materials to eliminate waste.
Our company is a member of EnviroStar, which is a very reputable environment organization in Seattle, WA with selected companies that can meet their stiff requirements.

The principles of zero waste and circular economy are in our DNA since day one, creating designs to last generations.
4) By designing functional products that are not only very stylish but also very practical, we solve customers’ problems. Our cooling sun shirts is helpful for dogs with skin issues, and is soothing over the stitches. It is great for dogs that are recovering from surgeries.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My background is business, undergrad accounting and master in Information Systems. Since I was a kid I always had passion for designs. When I was a kid I loved to draw but my dad discouraged me because he thought art can’t support me. So I focused on other subjects in school. In my career life I was working as a senior accounting manager and senior business analyst consultant for top Fortune 500 companies. I thought corporate life was my destiny! Until 2011, when I had a deadly accident and few broken ribs, which led me to depression. I got a little maltese dog, by the name Louie de Coton for shorts we called him Louie. Louie came to my life and so little I knew, he had a mission! He brought out all of my passions and talents for design, management, business in a package when we started Louie de Coton brand.
This business has taught me lots of valuable lessons. Everyday is a learning experience of some sort. We embrace it and learn from it. Either from an experience I encountered or met someone that gave me a wonderful advise.
Here is only 3 of the lessons: 1) Pour your soul in what you do, and do it beyond 100% 2) Look after your employees, and consultants. Make sure they understand your mission, the company’s principle and they are excited to do your work. If there is an area they are not happy, it reflects in their work and the fruit of their work. 3) Always make sure your customers are taken care of and are happy. If you get a picky or upset customer, don’t argue with them to prove your point. You won’t change their mind. Listen to them patiantly and see the situation from their point. That makes a huge difference and see how you can solve it or basicly turn their experience to a positive one. Things can go wrong and everyone knows that, but our reaction is important.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Here are few interesting places to check out: 1)I take her to Pike Place Market in the heart of Seattle. And also across from the market is the original Starbucks Coffee House. It is lovely to check it out and grab coffee. Nearby, there are few great restaurants too.
2) (for summer), I plan drive and hike at Mount Rainier. For Late March/Mid April I take her to Skagit Valley to visit Daffodils and Tulips.
3) Leavonworth – The little Bavarian Town – the drive is lovely and you can spend the day there.
4) Go to Bellingham – for a day of biking, walking and enjoying the town. It is the biggest town before crossing the border to Vancouver, Canada
5) Take the ferry to San Juan Island – spend the day enjoy the island. I spend the night there and enjoy kayaking, hiking and take whale watching tour.
6) Spend the day in Seattle – take beneath the streets underground history tour, Space Needle and enjoy the dinner there with city lights.
7) visit Snoqualmie Falls – Spa, woodsy walk, and delisious dinner

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have few people as my role model. The top one is Christ and the command “In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you”. Everyday and with every one of our team members we practice this command. We try to deliver a product that people will be beyond happy to receive it and the quality is superior to stand for many years of heavy use (for dogs you definitely need it).

ersonalFayAndersson__

Website: https://louiedecoton.com/

Instagram: @louiedecoton

Twitter: @louiedecoton

Facebook: @louiedecotonseattle

Youtube: @louiedecoton

Other: Pinterest: @louiedecoton

Image Credits
Louie de Coton