The Story Behind Doodle Mama Designs
Rachel, the heart and hands behind Doodle Mama Designs, has always believed joy can be found in the little things. For her, that joy usually comes with a wagging tail and a goofy grin. A proud dog mom to two lovable sidekicks, Mr. Murphy and Sir Theodore, she found her calling by turning her everyday moments with them into playful digital art. What began as a simple creative escape during her MBA years has blossomed into a thriving Etsy shop, bringing dog-inspired designs to a growing community of pet lovers.
Her journey is proof that passion and business know-how can go hand in hand. With an MBA and a sketchbook always within reach, Rachel has built a brand that combines her creative instincts with her understanding of entrepreneurship. Today, Doodle Mama Designs isn’t just about art. It’s about celebrating the bond between people and their pets in the most cheerful, vibrant way possible.
From MBA Stress to Creative Bliss
While Rachel pursued her MBA, her days were often filled with case studies, group projects, and endless deadlines. It was exciting, but also overwhelming. To recharge, she turned to sketching. A blank page became her way of unwinding. Slowly, the antics of Murphy and Theodore started sneaking into her drawings. Murphy’s zoomies, Theodore’s mischievous smirks, and their unfiltered affection found a place in her designs.
It wasn’t just art for relaxation anymore. It was storytelling. With every line and pattern, Rachel discovered how much her dogs influenced her creativity. They reminded her to laugh, stay playful, and enjoy the present moment. That inspiration grew stronger when her husband encouraged her to share her work. Soon, she was posting designs online, and fellow dog lovers noticed. The response was more than encouraging. It was the spark that turned a late-night hobby into a vision for something bigger.
The Birth of a Dog-Inspired Brand
The leap from sketches to an official shop came naturally. Rachel opened her Etsy store, DoodleMamaDesigns21, showcasing hand-drawn digital art, seasonal collections, and custom creations for dog moms and dads everywhere. The shop quickly found its audience. People connected with the authenticity behind each design. They saw the love Rachel poured into her work and how much Murphy and Theodore’s personalities influenced it.
From holiday-themed collections to everyday favorites, Doodle Mama Designs became more than just pretty patterns. It became a place where customers could find a piece of their own pet’s joy captured in art. Rachel’s community grew through product launches, seasonal drops, and custom orders. Every step felt like a natural extension of her passion for pets and creativity. What began as an outlet was now a brand with heart and purpose.
Products That Make Dog Moms Smile
The Etsy shop offers a delightful range of items that dog lovers can’t resist. There’s the Wild as Hell Dog Tee, a fun unisex shirt that embraces playful pet-parent pride. For cooler days, the Labrador Club Sweatshirt adds both comfort and charm. Personalized gifts like the Dog Lover Sipper Glass give fans a way to celebrate their bond with their pups, while seasonal favorites like the Halloween Dog Tote Bag bring a festive touch.
Rachel’s hand-drawn style shines in unique pieces such as the Western Pet Portrait and the Vibrant Surfing Dog Beach Towel, which showcase her ability to mix whimsy with creativity. One of the most popular items, the Surfing Goldendoodle Dog Tee, embodies the fun, carefree spirit that defines Doodle Mama Designs. Each product reflects Rachel’s mission: to spread joy through playful art inspired by the furry companions who mean so much to us.
More Than a Shop, It’s a Celebration
At its heart, Doodle Mama Designs is about connection. Rachel’s art doesn’t just brighten a wall, a tote, or a tee. It resonates with anyone who has ever laughed at a dog’s silly trick, snuggled a pup after a long day, or felt the comfort of unconditional love from their furry friend.
With Murphy and Theodore still serving as her biggest muses, Rachel continues to grow her creative world while staying true to the joy that started it all. Doodle Mama Designs is more than a shop. It’s a celebration of the playful, heartwarming relationship between pets and their people. And thanks to Rachel’s vision, every design invites dog lovers to carry a little bit of that joy into their everyday lives.
We had the privilege of interviewing Rachel. Here are excerpts from the interview.
Hi Rachel, it’s great to have you with us today! Please share about yourself with our readers.
Hi, I’m proud dog mom to two lovable goofballs — Mr. Murphy and Sir Theodore, my fluffy sidekicks who keep me on my toes. I’m the founder and artist behind Doodle Mama Designs, where I create playful, hand-drawn digital art, seamless patterns, and seasonal collections inspired by the joy dogs bring to our lives. With an MBA, I’ve blended my business knowledge with my creative passion to build a brand that celebrates the bond between pets and their people. From holiday-themed art to everyday dog mom favorites, every design I create is made to bring a little more joy into the world.
Please tell us about your journey.
Doodle Mama Designs began as a simple creative outlet. While I was earning my MBA, I used art as my way to decompress — after a long day of classes, group projects, and studying, I’d relax by sketching and experimenting with design ideas. Murphy and Theodore became my biggest inspiration, from Murphy’s silly zoomies to Theodore’s sweet-but-sassy personality. Their antics kept finding their way into my sketches, and before I knew it, I was sharing my designs online. The response from fellow dog lovers was incredible. That little side passion grew into an Etsy shop, then seasonal product launches, and eventually a brand with a loyal, supportive community. Today, Doodle Mama Designs is where my love for dogs, my creative expression, and my business know-how come together in the best way.
What are the strategies that helped you become successful in your journey?
• Blending business and creativity — My MBA gave me the strategy and branding foundation, and my art gave me the heart connection.
• Community first — I treat my audience like friends, not just customers, and that’s built loyalty and trust.
• Seasonal and relatable designs — I create for real-life dog parents who love celebrating all of life’s little moments with their pups.
• Consistency — Even on days I feel uninspired, I show up. That steady presence has been key to growth.
• Customer collaboration — Many of my most-loved designs started with a customer idea.
Any message for our readers?
Start before you feel ready. I never planned for my grad school “stress relief” sketches to become a business, but they did because I kept showing up and sharing them. Your passion might start small, but that’s often where the magic begins. If you’re a fellow dog lover, know that every design I create is inspired by real-life moments with Murphy and Theodore — the goofy zoomies, the holiday traditions, and the everyday snuggles. My hope is that when you see my art, it reminds you of your own pup and the special bond you share. And yes… go ahead and give your dog an extra treat from us.
Thank you so much, Rachel, for giving us your precious time! We wish you all the best for your journey ahead!