Connect
To Top

Life and Work with Michelle Caillet

Avatar photo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Caillet.

Michelle, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
After too many years working in the corporate world (retail, recruiting, human resources, property management) and going through far too many layoffs, I decided I wanted to work in a different atmosphere.

After adopting our first Greyhound Riley, we realized that a traditional boarding kennel was not going to be a good place for him. He preferred the home lifestyle and wouldn’t even look at a crate if it were nearby. He also preferred to share his space with humans and (initially) didn’t care much to be alone. At first, we had a neighbor with a golden retriever and the two were best friends. So, when either of us went out of town, the other would take care of the dogs.

After yet another layoff, I decided to volunteer with the greyhound rescue kennels while looking for work, where the dogs were kept until they either found a foster or forever home. Early mornings meant walking the dogs, feeding the dogs, bathing and medicating when necessary. Through this experience, I had the thought that boarding Greyhound could be fun.

Little did I know, less than 2 years later, we would move to a small piece of land nestled in the Historic Notch Neighborhood in East Tucson, where we would open our doors to Greyt Escape. We often heard, “adopting a greyhound will change your life!” And for us, that was so true. Nearly 12 years later, Greyt Escape is still operating 24/7, 12 months out of the year (with occasional time off!).

We offer an in-home environment for hounds to vacation when their families are away. They have access to all space in the house, sleep in our bedroom (and sometimes, our bed!), and have a secured yard they can access via a doggie door, at any time. Every morning, we walk the dogs, clean the yard, feed the dogs, vacuum, and mop the house, and make sure that anyone needing medication or special-needs care, receives it. We have learned so much about these hounds and have adapted to any needs they may have.

On less busy days, the dogs join me in my in-home studio where they can nap, and I design and create items for both Etsy shops.

The Greyt Escape shop opened in 2008 and offers handmade dog collars and leashes for all medium to large breeds. A custom line of greyhound notecards and any other specialty dog items I decide to create.

Chella Bella Designs opened in 2009 at a friends request, as a shop for handmade yoga mat bags. Over the years, many other coordinating items have been added to the shop such as the market bag which takes approximately 6 hours to create. Most recently, I’ve added essential oil‘s bags in varying sizes and styles, yoga stretch straps and some really fun keychains and essential oil jewelry.

All three businesses developed without a true business plan, no loans, and lots of man hours! All of my independent websites were built by me, with the help of my husband learning the software and guiding me through it. I create all the items sold in both shops. Over the years, I have created all the items in both shops. In preparation for the 4th Ave., Street fair this past spring, I did have a small amount of help from a friend to increase stock.

Though the boarding business is my main source of income, the two shops are a nice secondary (and 3rd!) income and they also allow us monetary means to donate to the future rescue of greyhounds via Southern Arizona Greyhound adoption.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Gosh no, is it ever!? Most pet sitters we knew were doing it in their spare time, not as a licensed business. 12 years ago, this business was considered a “gray area business”, so when we researched insurance, we had to go through an insurance broker to write a plan for us. We were also opening as a breed specific business so, advertising to the general public wouldn’t really work. We launched a “name that business” contest within our rescue group. We had already come up with the idea for Greyt Escape but wanted to advertise via the contest and see what others might come up with. Lucky for us, one of the Greyhound adopters came up with the same name. It was a sign and we went with it!

The actual boarding started out slowly. Many people within the rescue group knew us via our Greyhound Riley but, didn’t know us personally all that well. Slowly, we started receiving phone calls and the business grew. One year later, the market crashed and we weren’t really sure we would survive being such a new business. But we did!

Knowing we had a limit to the number of dogs we would take at one time, and that the daily rate wasn’t a huge financial gain with the ebbs and flows of the business, I used my free time to start developing Greyt Escape accessories. With that, I began a second source of income. That, too, was slowly growing as the Internet was not nearly as easy to use as it is today. I did a farmer’s market monthly to promote and word-of-mouth via my clients. Once the market for dog related events started getting busier in the Tucson area, I joined those as well. Though the website has been established for quite awhile, I continue to do events such as “Adopt Love Adopt Local, DOGtoberfest, local greyhound events and 4th Avenue Street Fair (2018).

In the meantime, I had made a Yoga Mat Bag for a friend. She is a yoga instructor and thought I should try and sell them. Shortly after, I opened Chella Bella Designs and as with the first two businesses, it was a slow start. But over the years it has grown, and I hope it continues to do so.

One of the biggest challenges I find with all three is a promotion. Though social media offers a vast array of options, they take time which is not something I have a lot of. Instagram has been a great addition and I hope to find the time to learn more about being efficient in that area.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Greyt Escape, your Greyhounds vacation destination! Greyt Escape Accessories & Chella Bella Designs – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I have an unusual business. I think I was far too creative to limit myself to one task. My love for animals, and always wanting a dog of my own, lead us to adopt a greyhound (I had previously had a cat & later, a bird). Volunteering with the Rescue brought me to this idea of Greyt Escape. The first priority is always to take care of these hounds. Make sure they are comfortable, happy and spoiled while they’re with us. The service we provide as an in-home boarding facility is what we have grown to specialize in. Being breed-specific certainly causes us to stand out from the crowd. Many of our clients refer to us as “Greyhound camp” or the “Greyhound resort” which is exactly what we had hoped to provide. We have almost no restrictions with the hounds that board here other than they have to be extremely social, being that they will live freely with others. The reality is that it is a lot more than just hanging around, petting the hounds. We take seniors, we have given shots, medication, and cared for major medical needs. Fortunately, most of the time, they are happy and healthy. We walk the dogs every day and I often joke (laughing) that I am the most underpaid housekeeper. It’s a lot of work! But they are fun and make us laugh often… and boy do they like treat time!

In addition, I can allow my creativity to flow with the Etsy shops. Over the years, I saved enough to do a full remodel of the studio space (see photos via my Instagram @ chella.bella). It’s a tiny 250 sq ft of space that houses all the supplies and finished product along with a floor full of dog beds. Now, if I could clone myself, I could get through all those things I want to make and design! I strive to create a unique and well-made product that can be enjoyed for a very, very long time and I hope that I have developed the same appreciation from the buyers in the shops, as I have with my boarding clients.

In my early childhood years, I watched my Aunt create beautiful and unique design throughout her home and clothing with paint and fabrics. Showing that just a little bit of expense can create something very beautiful. She is someone who can walk into a second-hand store, pick out a few things and create something brand new (her Instagram is inspiring!).

My mother was an amazing seamstress and made much of our clothing when we were infants and toddlers. Though she never taught us the skill (I am self-taught), I still have a set of Raggedy-Ann and Andy dolls that she made for me. She and her mother, my grandmother, made our Christmas extra special. My mother would sew each of us a new pair of pajamas, my grandmother crocheted the slippers.

I imagine that the small windows of these skills that I was witness to as a small child, caused my creative side to develop over the years in so many different directions. Today, I love to paint spaces and furniture, etc. I crochet, knit, sew, and play with the idea of light jewelry making. I love textiles and find that shopping for fabrics, trim and other elements are as much fun as watching pieces come together.

Through the years of owning and operating these micro-businesses, I have met many other female small business owners who have tackled this journey in all different ways. Each found a path, took a deep breath and jumped in. That in itself is inspiring.

My junior and senior year of high school, I moved in with my dad. I went to a city school after spending most of my life in small-town schools. It was a huge shell shock and I found that I was advanced compared to their current curriculum. This allowed me to shorten my school day during my senior year, and opt to take evening classes transferable to junior college. There was a course called, “fashion merchandising, design and business economics.” My instructor’s name was Michelle Gordy. She had the most spectacular personality, she was energetic and so full of life. I was mesmerized by the idea that she once made wedding dresses for the elite in Hollywood. Here is where I found my creative side developing. Through the course of the year, she took our class to a county, state, and national competitions. I won first place in the state of California and I don’t think I ever experienced anyone being so proud of me. (There were some serious ugly-crying pictures we opted to burn!) I hope that she will come across this someday and make contact as I’ve tried locating her for years.

What advice would you give to someone at the start of her career?
When starting a business, be sure it is something your heart is in. Be prepared to work harder than you ever have or thought you could. “Design a business” plan that allows you the time to maintain friendships, go to yoga and have some fun. (This dismay biggest challenge!) Or a plan that allows a partnership with others to share the work. Look in the mirror and practice saying “no”, “I’m sorry, I cannot accommodate those needs”, “may I refer you to….” There will be times when you simply “can’t” and it is a very hard thing to learn and accept. Set up accounting software before your first day! Being prepared is so much easier. Expect to make mistakes, they happen. Know that you can’t make everyone happy and have a professional response ready for those moments. Running your own business is tough. Female entrepreneurs can face challenges unique to them and have a support system will be key. Reach out and network as much as possible. And make sure that you are enjoying what you do! Without the help of my husband and Mother-In-Law, I could not make it all happen. In addition, I have a team of family, friends and even clients who have volunteered their time and assistance throughout the years! Know your limits and ask for help when you need it

Contact Info:


Image Credit:
Brian & Michelle Caillet

Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.

Related Items

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More in