Conversations with Abigail Walters

Today we’d like to introduce you to Abigail Walters.

Hi Abigail, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I moved to Nashville 11 years ago from Fort Wayne, Indiana when I was 23 to follow my dream of singing and songwriting. I was a school teacher and also waited tables to save money for the move. The dream got me here, but I have stayed because of the friends I have made and the love I have for this town.

I have been in the service industry since I was 15. Working in restaurants and bars allowed me to make a living while pursuing other passions and dreams. I am currently the General Manager at Standard Proof Whiskey Co. located in the art district of downtown Nashville. The service industry has my heart and I strongly believe everyone should be required to work in it for at least a year.

About six years ago, I launched FurEver Friends with my dear friend Rachael Austin. We wanted to create products for our dogs and this quickly turned into a small business. It all started with the t-shirt leash we designed by using old shirts from around the house. This took us about two years to perfect. We could never have predicted how quickly this would grow. Schools and dog rescues would hold t-shirt drives for us and before we knew it, we were getting donations from all over the US. With these shirts, we started making dog toys and leashes and would take our products to farmer’s markets and small music shows around town. Seeing the demand for unique dog items, we then started sewing double-sided bandanas. I took over the business about four years ago after Racheal moved away. Since then, I have dedicated my time to making FurEver Friends more than just a small dog accessory business, to a business-focused around my community, my neighbors and rescuing dogs. I now make items to “match your pup” such as masks, scrunchies and crop tops. Back in March 2020, I made masks for my community. My friend Karah, my mom and I made over 5,000 masks. Half of these we donated to hospitals and restaurant workers.

Throughout the years, I have donated to four rescue/dog organizations. One of my passion projects is a calendar we do every year called “Dino’s and Dogs”. We team up with a Nashville favorite, Dino’s Bar, and we photograph different dogs wearing my pup apparel. With these photos, I create a calendar and we donate every penny raised to rescues or organizations in need. This year we donated half to Wags and Walks and the other half to TN Action for Hospitality. It was our way of helping those affected in the service industry from the devastating year of 2020. The calendar has raised over $7,000 collectively over the past three years.

As of recently, two other entrepreneurs and myself started a market group called The Wicked Market. We launched in the winter of 2020. Being in the service industry, we saw how much bars were struggling after being allowed to open their doors after the tornado and covid lockdowns. I saw friends lose everything and the way they used to make money to survive was taken away in one quick moment. The goal with our market was to host nightly pop-up markets on every full moon at different bars around town. We wanted a way to bring our community back together as well as help small businesses and help bring revenue back to these beloved bars. We are on our 7th market, and we are overwhelmed with the love and success each market brings to our community.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road, but I’m grateful for the challenges because I have learned so much along the way. The main struggle is learning how to balance everything. Juggling a full-time salary job along with FurEver Friends and the Markets has been tricky, but I have learned I thrive when I am busy.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I love to create products for dogs, I love to give back and have found a way to do both through FurEver Friends. I work around the clock to hand make toys, leashes, bandanas and am always brainstorming ways to make new and better products. My entire business started over trying to make a perfect dog leash that was also helpful to the environment. The leashes are something FurEver Friends is known for, what sets us apart and what I am definitely most proud of. I’m all passion and I hope it shines through in everything I do and create.

One of the most special stories I have had throughout the years stems from a terrible heartbreak. My dear friend lost his son suddenly and he asked if I could make something for their dog to have that kept his son’s memory alive. I took old shirts that his son used to wear and created a leash for their dog.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I’m definitely a risk taker. My biggest risk I ever took was leaving my hometown to move to Nashville without knowing anyone or having a job. I had this feeling in my gut that was pushing me to leave and I found comfort in knowing the reward from the journey would be worth it. Since that move, I have lived with the mentality of, I am not too old or too inexperienced or too naive to do or try anything. I have independently put out two EP’s, launched two businesses and had some beautiful love stories all because I pushed the fear of what could go wrong aside and leapt into the unknown.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: fureverfriendsnashville.com
• Instagram: fureverfriendsnashville and abbywalters1

Image Credits
Kayleigh Walder Ashley Dehnke