Our story · Est. 2021 · Central Coast, NSW
Made by hand. Born from purpose. Worn with pride.
Tinka & Co began not with a business plan, but with a dog, a dehydrator, and one of life's hardest moments. This is how a small handmade brand found its reason to exist.
How it began
What began as recovery became purpose.
After surviving two strokes, life changed in ways Dan never expected. With vision loss and cognitive challenges, returning to his previous career was no longer possible.
As part of his rehabilitation, he was encouraged to find meaningful, hands-on activities. A kind stranger gifted them a dehydrator after they shared Tinka's story online. What began as making natural treats for a fussy eater quickly turned into something more.
Soon after, Dan learned to sew with his mum. What started as practical pieces for Tinka — like snoods to keep her ears clean — grew into bandanas, bow ties, and a full range of accessories.
What began as recovery became purpose.
How we make things
Every product solves a real problem.
And looks good doing it.
Every product solves a real problem
From keeping long ears dry at mealtimes to creating a coordinated look for dog and owner — everything we make starts with a genuine need.
Made to look as good as it works
Function without style is just utility. We handpick every fabric for its look, its feel, and how it wears — because your dog deserves both.
Small batches. Chosen fabrics. Made by hand.
We never mass produce. Every piece is handmade in small batches on the Central Coast of NSW — which means every order gets genuine attention.
Where we are today
From rehabilitation to national television.
From those early days on the Central Coast, Tinka & Co has grown into something neither Dan nor Will expected.
We trade at The Rocks Markets in Sydney most weekends, ship across Australia, and have been featured on national television twice — Series 1 and Series 3 of Dogs Behaving Very Badly.
In 2023 and 2025 we were named finalists in the Local Business Awards. Will joined full time in 2024. And we still handmake every single piece ourselves.
What began as recovery became purpose. And purpose became a business we're genuinely proud of.
Giving back
Every purchase gives back.
25¢ from every product sold goes directly to the Stroke Foundation of Australia — because without strokes being taken seriously, Tinka & Co wouldn't exist.
Dan survived two strokes. The Stroke Foundation supported his recovery. This is our way of saying thank you — one purchase at a time.
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