We had the good fortune of connecting with Shelby Doner and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shelby, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
During the summer of 2021, my husband, Drew, and I ran away on a romantic, adventurous trip to Costa Rica. We planned on catching some waves, swimming in waterfalls, hiking spectacular mountains, and petting some cute baby sloths. Little did we know, while staying in a cozy bungalow deep in the Costa Rican cloud forest, we would have one of the best, most enchanting nights of our lives. More importantly, we would be struck with an idea that would change our lives and many others’ forever. The idea for our business was sparked the moment we sat in the two hanging chairs hung from our bungalow’s balcony. With the clouds rolling in on top of us and the sunsetting, Drew and I overlooked the forest enjoying each other’s company. We swung in those hanging chairs all night long until the wee hours of the morning. It was an unforgettable, beautiful night and we both knew we had to get those hanging chairs for our home if we wanted to experience such an amazing and incredible thing again. When we returned home, we desperately searched the web for hanging chairs. We couldn’t find anything we liked nor were willing to buy. Some were too pricey, made poorly, uncomfortable, unattractive, or all of the above. Our hearts were saddened, only until Drew said, “Let’s make our own.” For three months we worked diligently crafting our two hanging chairs that would later become the beginning of our handmade hanging chair business called “Happy Pants Furniture”. The “Cloud Chair” was born and the rest is history.

What should our readers know about your business?
Hands down, we make the most comfortable chair you will ever sit in! Not to mention, we make the most cost efficient outdoor/indoor piece you will ever buy. Your hanging chair could last the rest of your life! We make the absolute best hanging chair on the market. What sets us apart from others is not only is our chairs the most comfortable, but our handmade hanging chairs are built to last a lifetime and they are the only hanging chairs you can completely customize. Concerns such as sun damage, quality, attractiveness, price, and strength have all been addressed. All the soft material can easily be replaced, whether it is from damage or you would like to change the color of your chair! Each chair comes with a footrest, cup and phone holder to make sure you are extra comfortable. Made here in the United States by us on our farm using top quality products, Happy Pants Furniture is reinventing the way you relax. Witnessing the joy and happiness that comes from someone when they sit in our chair is my absolute favorite thing. I believe I was put on this earth to serve others and it is one of my missions in life to help others have a better life. I did not know at thirty-one years old, one of the ways I would be helping people is by making them a hanging chair. The thing I am most excited about with this business is we are helping all ages. Our oldest customer is eighty-nine years old and our youngest is a newborn being held in their mother’s arms. Our chair serves so many different people. Many mothers-to-be and moms have ditched the rocking chair and have switched to using our chair in their nursery. Enjoying the summer nights, families hang together in our chairs from their pergolas and decks. One family even put a bunch of chairs in their theater room-talk about a 3D movie! A psychiatrist has even begun doing therapy in our chairs calling it “The best therapy chair ever made!” Couples talk about life swinging back and forth holding hands and strengthening their relationship. Several autistic children have a safe place to go that is calming and a place they can call theirs. School children have a place to read and to do their homework. A blind man even has a place in his home to relax. Our chairs have been hung on the back of RVs, truck hitches, and even trees. I can’t tell you how honored I am to be apart of all these amazing people’s stories and adventures. Helping others find joy and making a difference in this world is a passion in my heart that will never stop burning.
Happy Pants Furniture, just like several businesses, has had its share of ups and downs. Being self-employed can be a very challenging task at times. You can doubt yourself and even let fear overcome you. One must learn to manage and tolerate stress as well as balance personal and work life. It took time and sometimes the hard way to learn this. My best advice is, if you believe in something with all of your heart, go for it. Failure does not define you as a person and every problem has a solution. You have to believe in yourself and be your biggest supporter.
The biggest lesson I have learned along the way is if you want the world to change you must change. If you aren’t quite sure where you are going, as long as you start, doors will open.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Drew and I live in a very remote area. When I say remote, I mean like twenty seven miles to the nearest small town, two hours away from the closest Walmart and a little under four hours to the closest “big” city. It is a sad day when you forget to buy a gallon of milk at the store or you need just one more ingredient for that recipe! On Google Maps, our address doesn’t even exist! You can see for miles and miles without another human insight. So first things first, we would have to make a pitstop for all the needed necessities my best friend would need and they would have to be okay with being in the middle of nowhere for a whole week. Where we live we are known for sunrises, sunsets, the starlit skies, silence, farming, and the homegrown, small town feel. It’s summer time now and we have had the most moisture we have had in a very long time. Creeks are flowing, sunflowers are everywhere, and there is green grass for days! It is a must we float down the Arkansas river on an inner-tube! On another day, we could go to the local swimming pool to catch a break from the heat or take a small car ride to the well known swimming hole in Southeast Colorado called “The Black Hole.” There we could jump off cliffs into the water or lay on the red rocks and get a nice tan. One of the days, it is a must we go down to Picture Canyon and check out all the petroglyphs and Indian carvings. We might even find some arrowheads! On one of the weekend nights we would have to grab dinner at our small town cafe and go the local movie theater to watch what was showing. Hopefully on the other weekend night, she would be okay with us inviting people over for a little potluck and barbecue. There we could play corn hole, card games, and talk about funny stories. In the evenings we could sit out on the porch and watch the sunset. Later, we could star watch and enjoy the summer night breeze. If she wanted to see what farming was like we could drive around and see what the farmers were up to in their fields and maybe check on some cows grazing in the pastures.
Drew and I enjoy eating home cooked, healthy meals. Luckily, I was blessed to be raised by amazing cooks in my family. I have an itch for cooking and baking so she would have to tell me what she would like for me to cook! If she wanted pizza, she is is good hands because Drew can cook up a mean homemade pizza! If she wanted drinks, we could go to our local bar and grill called The Lost Dog. There we could listen to the local band playing that night and catch up with other friends. If she wanted to experience what small town sports feels like we could drive to the local high school and catch a game! Small town living comes with its pros and cons, but nothing compares to its community support!
Drew and I have travelled a lot of places, but have realized nothing feels quite like home. It may be small and it may be quiet, but we love our little country life.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Drew Doner, my husband, best friend, future father of my children, & business partner

Website: www.happypantsfurniture.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shelby.doner

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shelbynicoledoner

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@shelbydoner

Other: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@coldwatertherapynurse Happy Pants Furniture Email: support@happypantsfurniture.com Personal Email: coldwatertherapynurse@gmail.com Cold Water Therapy Website: www.coldplungers.com

Image Credits
Vanessa Hartmann Drew Doner

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