In Conversation with Nea Fernandes: The Teen Founder Turning Puppy Love Into a 130-Store Brand

There are founder stories that feel impressive, and then there are ones that make you stop and think… wait, she did what, at 14?

Nea Fernandes, the founder of ROMIET, is one of those stories. What started during a deeply personal chapter of her life has grown into a pet lifestyle brand stocked in over 130 stores, loved by pawrents, and built with a level of intention that goes far beyond “cute dog accessories.”

At its core, ROMIET is a brand built on connection. Between pets and their owners, between style and function, and between a young founder and the purpose she found when she needed it most.

We sat down with Nea to talk about building a business as a teenager, the reality behind scaling a brand, and why her dogs Romeo and Juliet are still at the heart of everything.

From Health Challenges to a Business Idea

For Nea, ROMIET was not born out of a typical “I want to start a business” moment. It came from a much more personal place.

ROMIET started during a difficult time in her life when she had to step away from school due to health challenges. Spending most of her time at home, it was her dogs, Romeo and Juliet, who became her constant support.

“They were alongside me through this difficult period of my life and were my biggest comfort and essentially inspired me to create something in honour of them.”

What began as a way to channel that connection quickly evolved into something more.

The Moment It Became Real

Like many founders, there was a shift from idea to reality, and for Nea, that moment came through experience on the ground.

“It started to feel like a real business when I scaled from selling the products at the Surfers Paradise Markets into getting busy with consistent orders from stockists and online customers.”

Those early market days were more than just sales. They were a crash course in customer behaviour, product feedback and what people actually wanted.

“When I was approaching retailers and they were ready to be stockists and started placing orders, I realised my idea had turned into something bigger and it was a life changing feeling.”

Building a Brand Without Experience

Scaling into more than 130 stores is no small feat at any age, let alone as a teenager navigating school and life at the same time.

For Nea, the biggest challenge was simple. She had no prior experience.

“Experience was my biggest challenge in the early stages… I was thrown into the deep end of learning everything from scratch from designing, manufacturing, selling, handling logistics and accounting.”

That learning curve came with its fair share of uncomfortable moments, particularly in sales.

“I remember walking into local pharmacies at first and introducing the products myself and it being so intimidating especially because I was so young without any sales experience.”

Rejection was part of the process, but it also became one of her biggest teachers.

“Being rejected was probably the most difficult part of sales however I realised this was just redirection and is nothing to be ashamed of and had only built up my resilience and confidence.”

Choosing Purpose Over Pressure

While many teenagers are focused on school, social life and everything in between, Nea found something different in building ROMIET.

“ROMIET gave me a purpose and is something school couldn’t quite do for me and this motivated me more than anything else.”

That does not mean she missed out on being a teenager. Instead, she found a balance that worked for her.

“I’ve learnt to balance my personal life, friends and social media alongside creating something meaningful for myself.”

It is a reminder that purpose does not always follow the traditional path.

Design That Is Both Cute and Considered

If you have seen ROMIET products, you will know they are undeniably cute. But behind the aesthetic is a very intentional design process.

“My experience in the markets shaped my approach. Since I could get firsthand customer feedback and see their direct reactions, I could focus on what designs the majority were leaning towards.”

What started as a wide product range was refined based on real-world feedback.

“Initially, I was selling around 40 different products and later condensed it into 12 of the best sellers.”

And then there is the most important focus group of all.

“Since we own 3 Pomeranians, I needed to incorporate style for their luxurious taste and high quality for their feistiness.”

The result is a brand that balances style, durability and real-life usability.

The Moment That Made It All Worth It

For Nea, one of the proudest milestones was seeing ROMIET move beyond markets and into retail spaces.

“My proudest moment was when I had become a stockist into over 130 stores… seeing my products displayed on shelves in stores when I’m out with friends or family definitely brings a smile on my face.”

It is that full circle moment every founder dreams of.

The Power of Social Media and Community

ROMIET’s growth has also been driven by a strong online presence, particularly within the pet-loving community.

“Social media has played a huge part of ROMIET’s growth, especially in building brand awareness.”

The products themselves are designed to be shared.

“The idea of ROMIET products is to be Instagram worthy, entertaining and exciting for pet lovers.”

And it works.

“Pet owners love to share photos of their dog with an ‘Apawrol Spritz’ to social media and I find this bonds the pet community together.”

Lessons From Starting Young

Starting a business without experience meant learning everything from the ground up, quickly.

“The most valuable lessons I’ve learnt have come from being so involved in every part of the process as it has taught me each part is important to how the business operates.”

It is a level of hands-on learning that many founders spend years trying to achieve.

Riding the Rise of Pawrent Culture

As more people treat their pets like family, the expectations around pet products have shifted.

“Owners want toys which can be entertaining and still safe similarly to how parents buy toys for their children.”

This has directly influenced how Nea approaches product development.

“It has pushed me to focus on durability and safety but also creating products which are entertaining and long lasting.”

A Day in the Life of a Young Founder

Running ROMIET is anything but predictable.

“My day to day life is different each day but it mainly consists of packing stock into my car to deliver orders around Queensland along with pitching to new retailers.”

And the work does not stop when she gets home.

“I focus on packing online orders, managing logistics and handling admin like invoices and emails.”

It is a full-scale business, run with the kind of commitment you would expect from someone far beyond her years.

Advice for the Next Generation of Founders

For young people sitting on an idea, unsure where to start, Nea’s advice is refreshingly simple.

“You don’t need perfect conditions, you just need to take the first step.”

Her own journey is proof of that.

“Everyone starts small and learns as they go. Progress comes from taking consistent steps forward, not waiting for everything to be perfect.”

The Vision for What’s Next

Looking ahead, the ambition for ROMIET is clear.

“The long term vision is to grow into a recognised pet lifestyle brand and stock into major pet retailers like Petbarn and Petstock.”

But beyond growth, there is a deeper purpose driving the brand.

“In the future, I hope to open a pet shelter so ROMIET can have a real positive impact on animal lives nationally and internationally.”

It is a vision that goes far beyond products.

A Message to Her Younger Self

When asked what she would tell her 14-year-old self at the very beginning, Nea’s answer reflects the journey she has been on.

“I would remind her to trust the process more because even the challenges ended up removing things that weren’t meant to be and that everything was bound to work out in the end.”

And if there is one thing clear from Nea’s story, it is this.

Sometimes the most unexpected beginnings lead to something far bigger than you ever imagined. Ready to level up your pet’s lifestyle? Visit their website at https://romiet.com/

Disclaimer: This editorial is based on a founder interview. All quotes are provided by the founder and reflect their personal experience and perspective.