I grew up on a family farm in Vermont.  I have always been an avid animal lover and knew that I would someday have a dog.  Despite my passion for animals and my rural upbringing, I was also always drawn to a city lifestyle, admiring, and loving the fashion, energy, and opportunity.  I studied to get a degree in Business Administration with aspirations to leave Vermont and never come back.  Shortly after I graduated, I became a flight attendant and was based in the New York City area.  Fast forward, several years and my love for fashion continued to grow.  I decided to pursue an additional degree in Fashion Merchandising and began my career in fashion. I was able to intern at Oscar de la Renta, completed the Executive Training Program at JCPenney, and worked several years in both sales and merchandising representing several brands including Anne Klein, Nine West, rafe New York, Brian Atwood, and Easy Spirit. 

While completing the training program in Texas, I started my family by adopting two dogs from the humane society: Bruiser (a Maltese) and Preston (a Shih Tzu).  As soon as I got my dogs, I became obsessed with all things dog related.   I wanted to know everything I could about small dog clothes, accessories, toys, and grooming.  I became a small dog expert. 

After many years of working in fashion in NYC, I was laid off due to corporate downsizing and returned to Vermont to regroup.  As I tried to find the next job, I decided to blend my passion for all things related to small dogs and my fashion experience.  I realized that my ability to curate clothing assortment and my knowledge of dog brands will benefit many people who would like to keep their dog dressed in the latest fashions.

Unfortunately, as I began to start my company, my dog Bruiser fell ill.  On May 19, 2020 he crossed over the rainbow bridge.  In honor of his life and importance to me, I decided to name the company after him: Spence & Bruiser.