🐾 Day 4 – Big List Day: What I Actually Need to Launch

Annamaria Budai - Horvath
May 28
2 min read

Today was one of those “sit down with coffee and get real” kind of days.

After a few days of printing prototypes, playing with tag designs, and chasing my dogs around the field, I finally paused and asked myself: What do I actually need to launch this business?

Not the dream version. Not the Pinterest-perfect list. Just the essentials — the bare minimum to get The Barkprint Studio out of my head and into the real world.

So, I made a list...

And wow... it’s a big one.

First up: Branding

I’ve got a name I love (hi, The Barkprint Studio 💛), but I still need to lock in the full look and feel.

Fonts, colors, logo, voice — all the fun stuff that makes a brand feel like a brand. I want it to be clean, playful, and recognizably “me.” Luckily, I’m almost there and the vibe is starting to click.

Then there's the product side of things

I want to have a small collection of dog tags and paracord collars ready for launch — maybe 4 to 6 designs that feel solid. The tags need to be cute and functional, and the collars should feel handmade but professional.

My first bone tag was a win 🙌, but I’ve still got some refining to do — and I’m itching to test more shapes. Maybe a watermelon slice next?

Packaging — oof.

I want something simple and cute, but also eco-friendly if possible. I want people to feel like they’re opening something special, even if it’s small. That said, I’m still looking for the right supplier, and honestly, the options are overwhelming.

Etsy setup is coming next.

Once I’ve got product photos and branding ready, it’s time to open the shop.

That means making a banner, listing my products with clear descriptions, setting pricing, and figuring out shipping. It sounds like a lot (and it is), but having it on the list helps me breathe a little — it’s doable. I just need to take it one step at a time.

And finally... content. So much content.

This blog is part of it. So is the YouTube Shorts series. I’m also posting daily on Instagram, trying to bring people behind the scenes — from messy first prints to dog-fueled chaos and small wins.

Content has been the most fun part so far… and also the most time-consuming. But I know it’s worth it.

The takeaway?

Writing this list felt overwhelming at first. Like, “how am I supposed to do all of this?” kind of overwhelming.

But once it was all out of my head and into a plan, it felt better. Doable. I don’t need to tackle everything today. I just need to show up, check off one thing at a time, and keep building.

This business doesn’t have to be perfect at launch. It just has to launch!