Setting up my small business: Amanda Hodges and Puddy Pooch

Unhappy with the quality of pet beds, Amanda Hodges decided to take matters into her own hands and a flourishing business was born.

Amanda Hodges set up PuddyPooch after being unimpressed with the quality of pet beds. She started sourcing them from New York and a business was born.

The 52-year-old entrepreneur, from near Arundel, West Sussex, now sells an array of accessories for cats and dogs, including collars, harnesses, bowls and clothing.

And the venture has been so successful that it’s won awards from Theo Paphitis’ #SBS Small Business Sunday and Jacqueline Gold’s #WOW Women On Wednesday.

“If it hadn't been for the internet I wouldn’t have started this venture,” she says.

“I’m at a loss to know how people did this previously as it must have been very challenging.”

Even though there is still a lot of hard work and determination required, she says the internet and social media have made it a lot easier to set up on your own.

“I couldn’t afford a website designer so looked around at some of the template websites where you create one yourself,” she recalls.

“I found create.net in Brighton.”

This company provided her with the advice and support needed to get underway. She particularly likes how easy it was to make changes to the site.

Amanda believes the key to success, once you have the basics in place, is getting in touch with as many people as possible.

“You can’t just sit there and expect customers to come to you,” she says.

“You have to shout about it, bore your friends and family, and promote for maximum exposure.”

Puddy Pooch’s Lounge Hounds chaise longue for dogs and cats has recently featured on TV show The Only Way is Essex.

Amanda also advises people to join Facebook groups for small businesses, network on social media sites such as Twitter, and ask friends for their help in getting your name known.

She also insists it’s vital to turn everything from a negative to a positive – even if it’s someone moaning about your products or service.

“Whatever the complaint it enables you to improve and change something about your business that you may not have even thought of before,” she adds.

Inspired to set up your own business? We’ve put together a beginners’ guide.