Tucked away on the first floor of a shoplot in Subang Jaya, Kozie Krafts is a pet-friendly café that’s become a creative sanctuary for crafters, families, and pet lovers alike.
Founded by Stephanie, a former journalist turned small business owner, Kozie Krafts blends cosy café vibes with arts and crafts activities, community events, and the joy of furry companionship. The idea? To create a space where people can slow down, connect, and express themselves through creativity.
Today, Kozie Krafts is known as one of the few pet-friendly cafes in Subang where customers can sip on handmade drinks, join a painting session, or craft a friendship bracelet – all with their pets by their side.
But the journey to get here began long before the shop ever opened its doors.
From Writing Rooms to Pop-Ups to Pet-Friendly Café Owner
Before opening Kozie Krafts, Stephanie didn’t set out to be a business owner.
She was a lifestyle writer and journalist, often covering topics around education and daily life. But her love for arts and crafts started early on – from cross-stitch kits gifted by her mum to selling handmade cards back in college.
That passion eventually brought her into the local creative scene, where she joined 15–20 bazaars and pop-ups, including events in Lalaport and Jaya One. “It exposed me to this whole field a lot more,” she said, reflecting on how each event opened new doors and connections – whether it was understanding what customers liked, collaborating with other vendors, or simply getting her name out there.
Over time, the idea of opening her own space started to take shape. Stephanie began imagining a place that combined everything she loved – crafts, community, and pets.
Even when uncertainty crept in, she reminded herself to take the leap, saying, “The one thing is to put yourself out there… Even though it sounds a bit scary or you’re not sure how it’s going to work out, just go for it. Somehow, it will work out in your favour.”
Designing a Pet-Friendly Creative Space in Subang Jaya
Finding the perfect spot wasn’t easy – especially with Stephanie’s goal of making Kozie Krafts a pet-friendly café that could welcome bigger dog breeds like her own golden retriever, Sophie.
She needed a space that was open and pillar-free – ideal for arts and crafts workshops and pets to move around comfortably. But not every location was pet-friendly. Some landlords were hesitant or assumed she planned to open a grooming centre.
So, Stephanie spent weeks scrolling through PropertyGuru, talking to agents, and checking listings, but nothing felt quite right.
Then, one day, while driving through Subang Jaya, she spotted a “For Rent” sign on a first-floor unit. It wasn’t even on her radar – but the moment she stepped in, she knew it had potential. The visibility might be lower, but the upstairs unit came at a much more manageable price compared to a ground floor space. More importantly, the layout was exactly what she was looking for.
Since opening, Kozie Krafts has carved a niche as a cosy, pet-friendly café in Subang. Customers often bring their pets to lounge and play with Sophie, while they paint, crochet, or craft friendship bracelets – all in a space designed to feel like home.
Crafting a Creative Community
At Kozie Krafts, arts and crafts are just the beginning. The café offers four main experiences: hands-on creative activities, a curated retail section featuring products from local vendors, a cosy space to enjoy food and drinks, and an area for private events and workshops.
From friendship bracelet making and crochet sessions to perler bead crafts and birthday parties with batik painting, Kozie Krafts constantly experiments with new ideas to keep regulars coming back. Customers have come in to paint with their mums, build LEGO sets as couples, or simply unwind in a space that feels like home.
But what makes Kozie Krafts special isn’t the activities alone. It’s also the connections that form within its walls. Stephanie has watched strangers bond over shared hobbies, with some customers returning just to catch up with people they met through the space.
That spirit of community extends to how she runs the business. Stephanie knew early on that she couldn’t do everything alone – nor was she an expert in every craft. That’s why collaborations play such a big role in Kozie Krafts’ journey.
Rather than seeing other vendors as competition, Stephanie views them as collaborators in shaping a richer, more engaging experience for her customers.
She regularly brings in fellow creatives to run workshops – whether it’s crochet classes, embroidery tutorials, or themed craft sessions – so that Kozie Krafts always has something new to offer. These partnerships not only bring fresh ideas into the space, but also allow each vendor to tap into each other’s communities.
It’s a win-win: customers get to learn new skills, vendors get exposure, and the café becomes a place where creativity and connection truly shine.
How Community and Social Media Helped With Visibility
Being on the first floor meant Stephanie had to work extra hard to get noticed. She put up signboards outside, but most of Kozie Krafts’ visibility came from online platforms – especially social media.
From playful Reels featuring her golden retriever Sophie, to behind-the-scenes peeks into craft sessions, Stephanie used content to show – not just tell – what made Kozie Krafts special. She experimented early on to figure out what worked, consistently creating posts that reflected the café’s cosy, creative atmosphere.
To widen her reach, she also partnered with large accounts and platforms, and actively shared updates in Subang-based Facebook groups. But it wasn’t all about going viral. Even on slower days, she used the time to plan, shoot, and share – believing in the power of consistent messaging to stick.
Her biggest takeaway? You have to keep showing up online. Even if it feels repetitive, it’s what helps people remember what you offer.
The Lessons and Realities of Running a Cosy, Pet-Friendly Arts and Crafts Space
Running a business with so many moving parts isn’t easy. Kozie Krafts juggles four pillars, plus content creation, collaborations, and customer service. Stephanie admits that her “9 to 5 became 24/7,” especially since she handles most of the work herself.
Despite the hustle, she has no regrets. Her journalism background helps her connect with customers, and every new face that walks in validates her leap of faith. The positive feedback, especially from customers who’ve found community or bonded with loved ones in the space, makes it all worth it.
Whether it’s a mother-daughter pair doing a craft together or a group of friends celebrating a birthday with art, Kozie Krafts stands out as a rare, welcoming space in Subang Jaya – a homey café where creativity, community, and canines come together.
And as Stephanie continues to dream, one thing’s clear: Kozie Krafts reflects what happens when you trust your instincts, take that first step, and build the kind of space you once wished existed – for yourself and others.
