Today we’d like to introduce you to Shadee Delshad.
Hi Shadee, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started National Kitty as a broke, newly-graduated college kid with a biology degree I had no interest in using. I was, however, very interested in writing, art, and most importantly: cats.
It was a little awkward telling my immigrant family that I was going to be a kitty cat blogger and not a healthcare provider, but they eventually accepted it.
What was once a distant dream has finally come true: National Kitty is a rescue cat advocacy publication committed to spreading awareness about animal welfare through inspiring stories that generate donations for life-saving rescue missions.
When I started National Kitty, I had no idea it would become a community of closely knit women from every corner of the country who’ve connected over their love for cats and passion for animal welfare. People who were once strangers are now pen pals who take trips to visit each other and exchange birthday and Christmas gifts.
It’s been particularly heartwarming to see our elderly members thrive and make new friends in an online community they feel appreciated by. Never underestimate the power of cats!
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?
I wish I could say this journey has been a bucket of daisies and sunshine, but it absolutely has not. There were days I felt like a complete failure and wanted to shut everything down. Internet publishing is a rapidly changing niche that requires one to constantly adapt to new trends, data, and algorithm shifts. I’ve had to be resilient, patient, and devote a tremendous amount of time to problem-solving.
This was especially true in the beginning when I couldn’t afford to outsource anything and had to wear many hats. I turned into a jack of all trades and became intimately familiar with my industry. I’ve learned so much and continue to learn more each day. All of the obstacles were a blessing in disguise.
As you know, we’re big fans of National Kitty LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
National Kitty is a digital publication about cat health, behavior, products, and rescue cat advocacy. In recent years, I’ve focussed more on spreading awareness about animal welfare through cute and inspiring success stories about rescue cats. Something that sets National Kitty apart is our moral imperative. I’ve prioritized being authentic and focussing on the social cause, which has subsequently rewarded me with a community that trusts and supports my brand. National Kitty’s closely-knit community is what I’m the most proud of as they’re the reason we’ve come so far!
If you want to join the National Kitty family, head over to our Facebook group, the Kitty Cat Club. We recently launched a “meow mail” donation program on PayPal and a YouTube Channel with even more kitty cat content!
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
My business partner and I recently started another publication that delivers adorable content about ALL animals (not just cats!) called TailTalez. Check it out if you want your daily dose of cuteness. I’ve also created a product called the SafetyCat Collar, a super cute cat collar designed with all the best safety features in mind!
My first rescue cat and National Kitty’s CCO (chief cuteness officer), Moosh, is TikTok famous. Check out his videos and watch him drool on me. @badboymoosh
Pricing:
- SafetyCat Collar: $10.99
- Meow Mail Donation Program: $10 per month
Contact Info:
- Website: https://nationalkitty.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/national.kitty/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nationalkitty
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF3uI9I9MoqSTSEMZlE5N6w?sub_confirmation=1
- Other: https://tailtalez.com, This is the cat collar website: https://safetycatcollar.com
