The Beginning…

Hi Friends,

This weekend was filled with countless hours of finalizing this website, designing our Daisy’s Den merch, and brainstorming our next steps. Currently, we have paid for hosting this site, our Daisy’s Den email, and our domain name. We have also ordered several samples to ensure the quality of the products. Our time is simply a labor of love.

Next, we will file for our EIN, form our LLC, open a business bank account and fund it, register with our state for sales tax, and attend to a few other administrative tasks. These actions will all be taken before we even know if our products will sell!

So why do all of this first?

Well, without something professional and tangible to show our potential partners and, of course, contributors, how could we expect anyone to take us seriously, right? It makes me wonder if this is why many people don’t go the more “formal” route, because there is a TON of work and upfront costs with zero guarantee of success. That’s life.

Some other questions you might be thinking of:

Why is Daisy’s Den not a 501(c)(3)?

We would love to be, and it is a longer-term goal. We will be donating profits to other charitable organizations, anyway, so it makes sense. But filing for this tax status is lengthy, costly, and requires ongoing paperwork and filings, none of which make any sense until we have proof of concept.

However, we were not going to ask people to donate using Zelle to avoid credit card or PayPal fees (which is questionable at best), nor will we skirt paying the proper sales and income taxes associated with this type of company. To maintain this as a separate business and allow us time to grow and become profitable, we opted for an LLC business structure.

Will you ever be a tax-exempt charity?

We hope so, but we're not entirely sure yet. If Daisy’s Den can become all it is meant to be, we will. We must see what we have accomplished by specified timelines: 6 months, 1 year, and the 2-year mark, to determine if undertaking the conversion to 501(c)(3) makes sense. You will be among the first to receive this information.

How many shelters and rescues will you partner with?

Daisy’s Den will choose quality over quantity. We aim to research and vet potential partners to ensure that we highlight and support only those with excellent reputations. Ideally, we will have a few organizations in rotation over time and try to establish 3-month partnerships, allowing us to reach more than one facility and ultimately serve more dogs. Suggestions are always welcome.

When will shelters or rescues get donations from the profits?

We must first cover the startup costs outlined in the opening two paragraphs. Once that is done (and we will notify you), net profits will begin to accumulate during the predetermined funding period for each organization. (If we commit to a three-month partnership, all proceeds will be donated at the end of that specified time. If we do a one-month commitment, we donate after that period, and so forth. We will always disclose the details.) This approach enables organizations to avoid repeatedly accepting small donations, making the process more impactful and easier for everyone to track and manage.

Please note that net profits are calculated after deducting store-hosting fees, credit card fees, base merchandise costs, and estimated taxes. Of course, sharing us out on social media, and spreading our mission via word of mouth will help us gain traction.

Why don’t I see any cats or cat merchandise?

Daisy’s Den had to start somewhere, and since Daisy was an older and less healthy dog when she was adopted, our hearts were drawn to do something for other older dogs in a similar situation. This is not to say we won’t feature cats and cat merchandise eventually, as we love all animals. But for now, it’s dogs.

If I order the wrong item or size, or just don’t like something, can I return it?

We understand that online ordering isn’t always the easiest, and we take pride in delivering quality items. That said, unlike a store that holds inventory, we are a print-on-demand operation. That means when you order, we immediately pay all the fees associated with processing your order. For example, if we were to refund a shirt because the size was not optimal, Daisy’s Den would absorb the loss on that item, plus the non-refundable fees we agreed to pay upfront. We hope you understand that our business model can’t support traditional “returns” due to the custom nature of what we create. We encourage you to ask any questions you need before placing an order to ensure you get the perfect piece of Daisy’s Den merch via our “Contact Us’ link at the top of the page.

Are the items listed on your site the only things we can order to support Daisy’s Den?

No! We have access to and can design hundreds of items, ranging from aprons to pickleball rackets. (Kid you not.) If you want a hoodie, or a knit shirt, or beanie, etc. JUST ASK. We can quickly and easily inform you of the item's cost and deliver it to you. Use our “Contact Us” link at the top of the page to reach out. Be sure to check for “seasonal” merchandise designs as well.

If I need any items in bulk, can we obtain a volume discount?

Yes! Please get in touch with us and let us know your specific needs so we can get pricing from our vendors and determine if we can work together.

Are the dogs featured on your site all adoptable, and is the information on them kept up to date?

Great question! Regarding adoption, the answer is that it depends. Each featured dog will have information about its health status, whether the dog is available for foster placement or adoption, or if the shelter/rescue simply needs donations to support ongoing care for the dog. It will be highly individualized, and we will do our best to keep all information as up-to-date as possible. Of course, a dog could get adopted before we update our page, but that is a terrific “problem” to have. ♥

I have another idea or question. How can I reach Daisy’s Den?

Click on “Contact Us” at the top of the page to send us an email. We are available to address any specific questions or ideas you may have. Feel free to reach out, we’d love to hear from you!

Make it a great week, and thank you for your interest in spreading “Big Love to Old Dogs.”

With gratitude,

Sharon