Our story
Lil & Squish grew slowly: around regular jobs, two young children and one small dog with an extraordinary talent for getting out of a harness.
The beginning
In 2021 Mara Bell and Theo Okafor were renting near Green Lanes, both working full-time and learning how much of dog ownership involves buying the wrong thing twice. Lil, their narrow-backed dachshund, could reverse out of almost any harness. Squish, broader and less patient, rubbed under the front legs in the same size.
Mara worked in product development for a British homeware retailer, dealing with fabrics, fillings and factory samples. Theo was a garment technologist for cycling and outdoor clothing. They had no pet-industry pedigree; they simply knew how to spot rough materials, poor fit and a product that had been cost-cut in the wrong place.
Mara Bell, 32 · Theo Okafor, 35
Mara understands cushioning, washable fabrics and what survives family life. Theo turns measurements into patterns that move properly. She questions every material; he questions every millimetre. Neither left work with a grand launch plan—they made 200 harnesses, sold them, listened and made the next run better.
Family life
Their son is four and their daughter is ten months old. Mara still answers fit questions during the baby’s naps; Theo holds local fittings after nursery pick-up and on Saturday mornings. Lil is narrow, observant and suspicious of anything pulled over her head. Squish is broader and regards every padded surface as an invitation. The dogs supplied the name; the children set the working hours.
2021–2026
Lil slips backwards out of her harness on a walk near Clissold Park. That evening Theo changes the strap layout and Mara pads the hard edges with an offcut from work.
Their first child arrives. Prototypes happen after bedtime, with neighbours bringing spaniels, staffies and lurchers round for Sunday fittings.
Mara and Theo put their savings into a small first run: the Form Harness, City Lead and Everyday Collar. Every parcel leaves from their hallway.
Orders grow by word of mouth. Mara moves to four days at her homeware job; Theo begins freelance garment work so one of them can always handle nursery pick-up.
Their second child arrives. Wet pushchair wheels, muddy dogs and cramped car journeys lead to the drying wrap, folding mat, car blanket and dog steps.
Lil & Squish reaches twenty matching products. The family moves packing out of the house, but fit sessions and new ideas still begin at home.