From Side Hustle to National Bestseller: How MyCavoodle’s Founder Built a Pet Care Brand That Took Off on TikTok

Founder Feature: Bella, Creator of MyCavoodle

When Bella launched MyCavoodle, she didn’t expect to become the name behind one of Australia’s most recognisable oodle grooming brands. She was simply trying to solve a problem that so many cavoodle owners — herself included — face every single day: how to keep your dog’s coat clean, soft, and tangle-free without spending a fortune at the groomer.

“I’ve always had cavoodles and they’re not easy to groom,” she shares. “I couldn’t find anything that actually worked for their coat type. The shampoos I was trying just weren’t cutting it — they’d either leave residue, dry out the coat, or just not help with matting at all. I thought, surely there’s a better way.”

Bella didn’t just speak from personal experience. With a background in marketing developing products for human haircare she had an insider’s understanding of what made a good product — and what would make a customer come back.

“That job taught me a lot — from how to create a formula that actually performs to understanding how powerful branding can be when it feels genuine,” she explains. “I kept thinking: why couldn’t I design a shampoo brand just for the Cavoodle breed that would ACTUALLY work on oodle coat, that these dog parents would be proud to display in their bathroom and not be forced to use cheap supermarket shampoo that made their furbaby itchy.

A Pet Project With a Purpose

Determined to create something that worked — not just looked pretty — Bella started researching coat care solutions tailored to oodles. With her own cavoodle Bambi as the daily test subject, she worked through dozens of formulations until she developed a shampoo and leave-in conditioner combo that actually made grooming easier.

“I didn’t want to launch anything I wouldn’t personally use on Bambi,” she says. “My goal was simple: clean, condition, and help prevent knots. The shampoo had to cleanse effectively without drying the coat, and the leave-in had to make brushing smoother — especially for oodles who are prone to matting.”

The result was a beautifully packaged, Australian-made grooming set that felt just as luxe as your own haircare lineup — with results to match.

“It’s not just about aesthetics,” Bella adds. “The formula had to work. Oodle grooming is no joke.”

With no formal training in launching a new business, no outside investments and just $10,000 of her own savings, Bella took the plunge and launched MyCavoodle — a brand that merged functionality, style, and deep understanding of the needs of oodle owners.

Juggling Morning Sickness and Order Slips

What people didn’t see behind the beautiful packaging and growing social media buzz? Bella was juggling a full-time job then later a pregnancy, and solo business operations from her garage.

“I was in my first trimester when I was scaling my business ,” she says. “I had morning sickness, working full time, and I’d get on my laptop to answer customer questions between naps. It was wild.”

While friends and family always questioned the initial business idea, Bella had a quiet conviction that she was onto something.

“Everyone thought I was nuts — and honestly, I don’t blame them. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that this idea was going to work.”

A Portelli-Approved Shoutout

Just when things were starting to take off, a completely unexpected moment took it to the next level.

“Yes! It was Adrian Portelli’s unboxing,” Bella remembers with a smile. “I was sitting in a Bunnings car park watching the livestream, and when he held up my packaging and said, ‘Nice packaging,’ I lost it. It was surreal.”

The clip sparked another wave of orders and helped solidify MyCavoodle’s reputation as a small Aussie business doing big things.

Customer Praise and a Growing Range

Backed by hundreds of five-star reviews, MyCavoodle has become a trusted name in the oodle world. Customers rave not just about the product’s quality, but the way it’s changed their entire grooming routine.

“One woman messaged me and said she cried after brushing her dog — in a good way — because it was the first time it hadn’t ended in knots and frustration,” Bella shares. “That’s why I do this. That’s everything to me.”

While MyCavoodle has since expanded to include grooming kits, accessories, and bundles, the core offering remains the same: products designed for cavoodles with real, tricky, high-maintenance coats.

“It’s not about making your dog look show-ready,” she says. “It’s about making grooming less stressful — for the dog and the owner.”

A Business Built on Heart, Hustle, and Bambi

Even now, with a growing community and a baby in tow, Bella still packs orders herself when she needs to and writes handwritten notes.

“Starting my business it was literally just me, I was doing everything,” she laughs. “Out of my garage was my warehouse, office, and packing zone all in one.”

And through it all, her cavoodle Bambi remains her right-hand girl — tester, content model, and daily reminder of why it all started.

“Bambi is everything. I always say she’s my ‘why,’” Bella says. “I built this because I wanted something better for her — and for every cavoodle like her.”

Advice to Fellow Side Hustlers and Pet Parents

Bella’s story isn’t just inspiring — it’s proof that with the right mix of passion, resourcefulness, and authenticity, you can build a brand that truly resonates.

“My advice? Don’t wait until you have it all figured out,” she says. “Start small. Test your idea. Talk to your customers. Use what you’ve got — even if it’s just an iPhone and a dog with messy hair.”

And as for what’s next?

“I’ve got some new product ideas brewing,” she teases. “But for now, I’m just grateful. I’ve built something I’m proud of, and I’ve done it on my own terms — as a mum, as a founder, and as someone who just really loves dogs.”

Follow MyCavoodle
Shop the range: www.mycavoodle.com.au
TikTok & Instagram: @mycavoodle

Disclaimer: This product was kindly gifted. Coverage was not guaranteed and all opinions are based on personal experience.