Some brands begin with a business idea. Others begin with something much more personal. Maya Pet Co is one of the latter. Founded by Foti and Rojana in Australia, Maya Pet Co comes from a genuine love for animals and the bond we share with our pets. Foti has spent years working closely with dogs through his family’s pet grooming business. Rojana brings her connection to Nepal, its culture and its traditional craftsmanship. Together, they wanted to create a range of pet accessories that reflected what they believe in: products made with care, natural materials, thoughtful design and respect for the hands that make them.
It was this vision that brought Maya Pet Co and Shah Hemp Inno-Ventures (SHIV) together
From an idea to the Himalayan Collection
The idea was to bring together natural hemp and traditional Nepali Dhaka textiles to create distinctive, practical accessories for pets. At SHIV, we worked closely with Foti and Rojana to develop hemp and Dhaka collars for cats and dogs, and hemp dog leashes for their Himalayan Collection. What made this collaboration particularly enriching was how involved the founders were throughout the process. They were meticulous about every detail and very clear about what they wanted to achieve. There were numerous conversations, samples, adjustments and rounds of refinement before we arrived at the products.
And honestly, we enjoyed that process.
Making accessories for pets requires a different kind of attention. They are not just design objects; they are products that animals will wear and use every day. Their comfort, fit and the practical demands of everyday use matter. Foti’s experience in pet grooming, combined with our own experience of working with dogs, helped us look at the products from different perspectives. We tested the products on dogs and worked through the details together. The sizing, the choice of hemp and Dhaka fabric, the stitching, the hardware, the strength of the connections, durability and finishing — everything needed consideration. Even sourcing the right hardware was an important part of the process. We went back and forth quite a bit, making changes and refining details. The intention was always to get the product right, rather than simply finish it quickly.
What makes a product thoughtful?
For us, this collaboration reinforced something we have always believed: choosing a natural material is only one part of making a thoughtful product. It is equally important to understand how that material is used, what it is combined with, how the product is constructed and whether it serves its intended purpose well.
The Himalayan Collection brings together the natural character of hemp and the colours and patterns of traditional Nepali Dhaka. There is something special about seeing a textile so closely connected to Nepal find a place in contemporary pet accessories being enjoyed by families in Australia. And perhaps that is what we enjoy most about working with brands like Maya Pet Co — there is a story, an intention and a genuine affection for what they are creating.
A collaboration we are proud of
Foti and Rojana have been wonderful to work with. Their involvement and attention to detail made this a meaningful product-development journey for our team. They shared their experience of working with pets, we brought our understanding of natural materials, textiles and manufacturing in Nepal, and together we worked towards a collection that reflects both.The collaboration with Maya Pet Co continues, and there are more accessories for pets and their people in the making.
You can explore their Himalayan Collection here: https://mayapetco.com.au/collections/hemp-dhaka-collection
We are happy to share a few words from them:
“Working with Shah Hemp Inno Ventures has been a wonderful experience. As the supplier of our hemp dog collars and leashes for Maya Pet Co, they have played an important role in bringing our Himalayan Series to life. We truly appreciate their craftsmanship, attention to detail and commitment to working with natural hemp materials. Their ability to combine traditional Nepali Dhaka textiles with practical, beautifully handcrafted pet accessories makes their work special. We are proud to work with Shah Hemp Inno Ventures and look forward to continuing our partnership as Maya Pet Co grows.”
Foti & Rojana
Working with brands that care
At SHIV, we value working with people who have a clear thought behind what they want to create. Sometimes they come to us with a product idea, sometimes with a material they want to explore, and sometimes with an entire collection they want to bring to life. Our role is to work through that journey with them — from understanding the idea and selecting materials to product development, prototyping and manufacturing. We welcome conversations with pet brands looking to develop natural hemp pet accessories, as well as businesses interested in custom product development, private-label and white-label manufacturing.
For us, every such collaboration is an opportunity to learn, create and bring another thoughtful idea into the world.
