A Big, Important Announcement

Hello friends,

It’s been a minute since I’ve written any updates about what’s going on in the BLD workshop, and this update is a doozey. I've been laying low for a while now. So much has been going on behind the scenes and in my head that I've been struggling to keep up. Before I get into the nitty gritty, first, I’d like to say thank you for your support of my very small business over the years. I’m so proud of the premium brand, loyal following, and reputation I’ve built over the last 18 years. But nothing lasts forever, except maybe that BLD leash you can't live without. <wink wink>

No one ever said that running a small business is easy. But they didn't say it was going to be this hard, either. I've got to be honest, being a hands-on, sole owner-operator, handmade manufacturer has become all-consuming. I've been struggling on a personal level, and feel I'm not succeeding on a professional level either. So I have been doing some soul searching.

I have come to the very difficult and heartbreaking decision to shut down Bold Lead Designs LLC.

Many factors have gone into this decision, but I'll go into just one: Cost. The cost of doing business is simply too high for the current business model to continue in a state with a crazy high cost-of-living. But it's not just the financial costs. Running the business has taken a toll on my mind and body. For too long I have prioritized BLD above my physical and mental health. Relationships with the most important people in my life have been neglected for far too long. Even my incredible service dog, my partner, the light of my life, has not received the love and attention he deserves. The depression monster and unpredictable chronic illness I live with are too much right now. I must stop burning the candle at both ends.

I am taking a step back and this my means the company, in its current form, is ending. Yet somehow, the relentless optimist in me knows this is not the end of my involvement in the dog world, and especially the service dog community. My passion for the work I do is still strong, I just need to find a different path where I'm not stuck at a desk all day. I am not sure exactly what this will look like but this change in day to day life is what I need to recover.

I am open to new opportunities, collaborations, and better ways to do what I’m best at: designing products with the power to change people’s lives and sharing my expertise on harnesses and service dogs. Perhaps a new Bold Leader will step forward to take the wheel. So, I’m just gonna boldly throw this out to the Universe … Perhaps I’ll find a partner that believes in the power the right equipment has to improve the human-animal bond—someone who understands the needs and nuances of the disabled and working dog community. I know there is a business savvy someone out there that excels at operations and administration, with manufacturing connections to deliver quality products at an affordable price point. Maybe there’s a small business out there looking for a new market with limitless possibilities and a premium product line that can make life with dogs better. As I said, I’m open to possibilities.

I'm not sure how long it will take, but I will find a sustainable way for my work to be available to the world again. In the meantime, I am going to take care of my self and work to find more balance in my life. You can find me at my prototype bench, in my garden or walking Dalton.

Thank you again for your years of support. They have been deeply appreciated.

Best regards,

Katrina Boldry

P.S. Anyone interested in talking shop can email me directly at kboldry at boldleaddesigns dot com. I'll eventually check my inbox. :)