An Interview with Michelle O’Hallaren: Owner of Sophisticated Pup

We caught up with animal lover, Michelle O’Hallaren to learn more about her company, Sophisticated Pup and her passion for dogs!

Sophisticated Pup is a hugely successful pet clothing and accessory company, with even Oprah listing them as one of her ‘favorite things.’ Our animals are a part of our family and join us on our journeys, which is why this dog collar is an optional add-on to the standard Chicago bundle box – for those of you who own a pup and want to ensure they look their sophisticated best!

Questions and Answers

Hello Michelle and welcome to Treeline Thyme’s question time! Can you start by telling us why you started your company?

Hello and thank-you for having me. I started my company in 2006, shortly after I got my pug,

Penny. I combined my passion for design and pets into one company.

And how long have you been around? Where are you located?

We were founded in January 2006, and we are currently based in Chicago, IL.

What neighborhood is your business in?

Wicker Park.

How would you say your product represents Chicago?

Well, we have many Chicago-themed items, which range from our ‘Chicago Style Dog’ t-shirt, to our Chicago Flag collars and leashes.

How do we get our hands on these other products?

All our products are available on www.sophisticatedpup.com.

What makes you different from other similar companies?

Our authenticity! We design and produce all our products in Chicago.

Why/How did Chicago become your home?

My pursuit of graduate school, which made me move to Chicago in 2003.

And how long have you lived here?

16 years!

Wow. So, what’s your favorite thing about Chicago, and why?

It has to be the restaurants and architecture, and of course how dog-friendly the city is.

Do you have a favorite season in Chicago?

Summer! Winter is the worst. We love taking our dog on patios in the warm weather.

Have you got a favorite place to visit? Food? Drinks? Activities? Hidden Gems?

We love Big Star for tacos and drinks with our dog.

Where do you want to visit next?

I’d love to visit France.

Great, thank-you for chatting with us today, Michelle. We are super proud to offer some of your pup products as an add-on to our Chicago sense bundle!

If you’d like to purchase any other products from Sophisticated Pup, or to find out more about their story, visit them at www.sophisticatedpup.com.