World Famous Pet Bunny Hikes Mountains
What is your name & where are you from?
Bree Schuette. I grew up in Excelsior Minnesota, about 45 minutes from Minneapolis. Spent years living in St. Petersburg and Moscow, Russia working for a metals and mining company. And then in London. My heart is in the beautiful mountains of New Hampshire where I’ve lived for nine years.
What do you like most about where you live or what’s something interesting about where you live?
The White Mountains have brought hope, healing and many adventures. I completed ten rounds of the New Hampshire 48 4,000 footers, including two rounds with my young son and one round with my beloved bunny, Poppy Rose.
What’s your backstory and how did you come up with the idea?
The mountains have been so cathartic to me and my family, including being a place of refuge and healing for my son after his dad died of suspected COVID-19 early in the pandemic. To give my son emotional support, we included Poppy Rose on our hikes.
It was amazing to see the reaction of other hikers too. Young and old alike lit up when they saw our bunny. I realized that sharing Poppy Rose's story could help so many people.
I have relapsing polychondritis, a rare and life-threatening autoimmune disease that attacks the cartilage in the body. Many treatments are considered experimental and are not covered by insurance. I needed to think creatively about how to raise funds. It was the perfect time to write a book.
I am so blessed to receive cards and messages from people who have purchased the book and have been inspired by Poppy Rose and her resilience and her "hoppitude."
Currently, what are your income streams?
A large number of my sales come online -- largely from Etsy. We are also carried in a handful of brick and mortar stores devoted to hiking and outdoor pursuits.
How have you grown the business to where it is today?
I regularly promote the book on various social media platforms, including groups devoted to pets, mountains, and hiking. People from these affinity groups are more likely to be interested in our story. We have also been blessed to have our story in The Boston Globe and NPR's Here and Now.
What is your favorite product and what makes it special to you?
The book -- "Poppy Rose: The Hopy Adventures of a Tiny Mountain Bunny." But, we also love our stickers, magnets and temporary tattoos.
If you could go back, would you do anything differently?
At the time, I decided not to have a standalone website. In hindsight, I may have changed that to make it easier for people to know where to buy things.
What are your goals for the future?
I would love to continue to boost our sales -- having the opportunity to share our story of hope and resilience with more people. In 2025, we hope to do more in-person readings. And hope to have the opportunity for children to meet and interact with Poppy Rose. Poppy Rose has volunteered in a wide range of settings and is always a "hit."
What platform and tools do you use?
Etsy primarily. I try to post pictures and videos of Poppy Rose on Instagram and Facebook affinity groups. TikTok remains a goal for us, once I have more time and energy.
Do you have a favorite motivational quote?
Two of our favorite mountain quotes are:
"Somewhere between the bottom of the climb and the summit is the answer to the mystery of why we climb." Greg Child
"You are not in the mountains. The mountains are in you." John Muir
If you have a pet, what is your pet’s name?
Poppy Rose is a two-pound Polish dwarf rabbit who is almost ten years old. She loves the mountains, especially during wild blueberry season to eat them. Cheerios are an all-time favorite, as are bananas. She passionately loves dogs of all shapes and sizes.
Where can we find you online?
https://www.facebook.com/bree.simon.7
https://www.facebook.com/stepxstephikexhike
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/breeschuette?igsh=MTZ4aGxqbzhiOW5mZg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Etsy https://www.etsy.com/listing/1679170476/poppy-rose-the-hoppy-adventures-of-a?ref=share_v4_lx
GoFundMe to help with our medical expenses: https://gofund.me/c062bfd7
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Deborah@HandmadeTo100k.com