Meet Mike Wilson of Catastrophic Creations

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mike Wilson.

Hi Mike, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Catastrophic Creations started when we got our first kittens back in 2013. I decided to try building some furniture for him when I didn’t find anything I liked the look of in pet stores. The first thing I made was an Indiana Jones-style roped cat bridge, and the cats loved it. I decided to put pictures online and received enough interest that we started an Etsy store. Eleven years, several workshops, and thousands of sales later, we’re still in business. Our cats at home are still at the center of the business, testing all of our new concepts and letting us know what works and what doesn’t.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Starting a business in an emerging niche like cat wall furniture was definitely a pioneering move. Initially, there weren’t many options available in the market, which meant that a lot of the early efforts were about experimenting and iterating based on how the cats interacted with the prototypes. This experimental phase was exciting and garnered a lot of attention online, which was motivating, especially since it combined a passion for designing with business.
However, expanding the business posed significant challenges. Unlike many startups that take on debt or seek external funding to fuel rapid growth, this business grew organically. This involved taking modest wages and reinvesting profits back into the company. While this approach ensured stability and independence, it also meant slower growth compared to competitors who had access to larger funds and business expertise.

The rise in popularity of cat wall furniture attracted larger businesses, which entered the market with substantial funding and often replicated existing designs. Their superior resources and business acumen allowed them to expand quickly, creating tough competition. Competing against these larger entities has been one of the biggest challenges.

Looking back, a key lesson learned is the importance of having a solid accounting process and financial reporting from the beginning. Ensuring accurate and transparent accounting practices from day one would have provided clearer insights into the financial health of the business and facilitated better decision-making.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Catastrophic Creations specializes in modern cat furniture that appeals to cat owners’ interior design aesthetics and provides environmental enrichment to cats. Our wall-mounted cat furniture appeals to cats’ natural instincts to climb, scratch, play, and nap. We love it when customers use our furniture to help solve feline behavior issues, and it always makes our day when our customers share photos of their cats on their new setups!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.catastrophicreations.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/catastrophicreations
• Facebook: facebook.com/catastrophicreations
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzuenMSgrbPz3fhKv5gppSA

Image Credits
Gloria Wilson/Mike Wilson