Daily Inspiration: Meet Susan Seeger

Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Seeger. 

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Hi! My name is Susan and I’m the inventor and founder of N°2 TOTE! A new dog leash accessory that discreetly conceals the picked-up poo leaving you hands-free of the plastic bag of waste! I’m a proud dog mom of two ~ Bruno & Bodhi…the reasons why I created N°2 TOTE…because trying to walk, run or skateboard with my pups was difficult while carrying the plastic bags of poop! About six years ago I started working on this side project to help ease my time with my furry loved ones. I’m not a sewer, but I went to Michaels and purchased materials and started cutting and stapling. Once I figured out the material I needed, I was then on a mission to find a sewer. Finally met someone a year later who helped me with the first prototype and the excitement was overwhelming…major butterflies in my stomach! I had just created something! And it worked! I literally cried on that first walk. Picking up the poo is our duty to the environment…but having to cart it until you find a trash can is another beast. And one that I believe I tamed/solved! After showing and talking about it to family and friends, I was encouraged to come up with a name and file for a patent. A bottle of wine and three pages of brand names later, my girlfriend finally helped me land on the right one! With my background being in retail I knew I didn’t want a cheesy pet brand name, I wanted something more elevated, catchy & cool… and with a love for Chanel… N°2 TOTE was born. A few years later I came across an attorney who helped me get the name and brand trademarked and patented! It all happened so fast from that point on…a manufacturer fell into my lap and I had the first 500 units made and I built a website. It hasn’t been all daisies and roses, but hoping to get N°2 TOTE going this year. I truly believe in it and want other dog owners, dog walkers to feel the same relief I did/do while walking or running with their pups! And it’s an environmentally conscious product because dog waste left on the ground is harmful to humans and other animals! So, pick up that poo…Don’t carry it! TOTE it! 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
For a while, everything seemed to fall in line, but with any company there are struggles. I’ve definitely had my fair share. I searched for a company to make 25 to 50 sample runs for me and it was very difficult finding someone to do it. I found a company in Boone, NC but they charged me an arm and a leg for them and I knew at that point this product needed to be manufactured overseas. I’m grateful for that experience because it fueled the fire for me to research overseas and through some networking, I found one right when the pandemic hit. It took some time, but my first round of units finally arrived. It’s been a year through the pandemic and I’ve ordered my second round of TOTES… The biggest struggle I have right now is marketing and website optimization. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a Buyer for the Women’s Shoe Department and the Home Furnishings and Gift Department at Gwynn’s of Mt Pleasant. I love going to the trade shows and curating the best selection of shoes and gifts for the store. I pay attention to trends and up & coming brands and introduce them to our customers! It’s so rewarding to see my departments flourish! 

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
It’s journey that is different for everyone! And is still a journey for me. I’ve taken the risks which is a milestone compared to others but success is that rewarding feeling you get when you see your department exceed when you go outside of your comfort zone and create a business that is completely out of your wheelhouse whether it’s successful or not. Success is that inner feeling of accomplishment. 

Contact Info:

• Email: susan@no2tote.com
• Website: www.no2tote.com
• Instagram: @no2tote
• Facebook: No2 TOTE

Image Credits
@tanyaboggsphoto
@_keller_james_