We had the good fortune of connecting with Michelle Codrington and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michelle, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was born in Geneva, Switzerland, and lived there until I was six years old. Attending a Swiss public school immersed me in the French language. Around the age of three or four, my dad came home from work with a cardboard box, which he placed on the sofa between my brother and me. My parents encouraged us to open it, and to our delight, we discovered our new puppy, Chippy, a Swiss Bernese mixed dog from the Humane Society of Geneva!
This marked the beginning of my lifelong love affair with dogs. Throughout my life, we’ve always had dogs, mostly rescues, with a few from breeders—they’ve been an integral part of our family, and I can’t imagine life without them.

My family then moved to England, where I lived for four years and attended a parochial school. My formative years were spent in Europe, traveling extensively during vacations. I was fortunate to see much of Europe and was immersed in its culture, language, and history, which significantly impacted me. During these years, I became conversant in French, and with my dad being from Austria, we learned to speak German at a very young age. Later in life, I learned some Italian and Spanish.

My parents have always been very supportive, encouraging me to pursue my interests. As a child, I was active in ballet, tap dancing, singing, and piano. We enjoyed family trips and bike rides through the English countryside. I also participated in horseback riding, downhill skiing, and swimming.

Moving to Florida for a short stint was our next adventure and then we returned to Geneva, where I attended the International School of Geneva. My final move during my HS academic years was to Houston, Texas, which was a cultural shock with its sprawling size, high-rises, noise, and traffic.

After high school, I relocated with my parents to Connecticut, where I attended Drew University and earned a Bachelor’s degree in English. Although I initially considered a career in advertising, I transitioned to managing a restaurant in my hometown. Subsequently, I entered the hotel industry with Marriott and Holiday Inns of America, completing their management course in food and beverage working as the bar/restaurant manager for the Marriott.

Motivated by the upcoming birth of my nephew and a strong desire to be closer to family, I pursued a major career change and obtained a degree in Elementary Education. Teaching kindergarten through fifth grade in private and public schools across Florida and Georgia has brought me much joy over these past years!

Little did I know that my knack for creativity and hands-on teaching style would ignite my entrepreneurial spirit! My life experiences inspired me to share and create engaging, innovative lessons for my students to learn and explore. I taught them French and German, and my ESL students taught me Spanish!

After a fulfilling career in teaching, I retired and unexpectedly discovered my next passion: design. It all started with sketching a handbag on my iPad. This creative pursuit not only inspired me but also ignited my journey into entrepreneurship. Motivated by a strong desire to create, I founded krümmel & mirth with a commitment to designing unique, classic, innovative, and elegant handcrafted dog accessories.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As the sole owner of krümmel & mirth, a small business fueled by my lifelong passion, launching the company has come with its challenges. From navigating financial risks and making independent decisions to finalizing designs and curating a unique collection of dog accessories, each step has required unwavering dedication, perseverance with a good measure of humility!

Crafting my circular k&m logo, which captures the joyful sound wave of a dog’s actual mirthful bark, symbolized a pivotal moment in This journey for me; my brand’s name was being born!

The name krümmel, German for “crumbs,” and mirth, representing joyous laughter, hold deep personal meaning. My exploration into Peruvian textiles illuminated their rich culture and craftsmanship. Inspired by the artisans’ resilience and joy, I integrated these values of hard work, passion, and humility into my my brand. I recognized through their inspiring culture, “you don’t have to have a lot in life to be happy.” Hence, krümmel & mirth was born!

Finding a reliable manufacturer in California came after setbacks with two manufacturers in NYC, which resulted in significant financial losses yet valuable lessons learned. Mastering the complexities of leather and hardware, initially unfamiliar to me, was a process of trial, era, and tested my patience and my determination to commit myself fully to this new endeavor.

Attending LINEAPELLE trade show in NYC and Super Zoo in Las Vegas proved daunting, yet enriching, reinforcing my commitment to impeccable craftsmanship.

Krümmel & Mirth embodies my lifelong passions for people, diverse culture, language, fashion, animals, travel and dog rescue advocacy. Transitioning from a teaching career with unwavering support from my husband, I embarked on this journey to build my brand krümmel & mirth. Today, I am honored and deeply grateful for the support my small, woman-owned business has received. I look forward to serving you and your pup, and I am committed to enriching the strong bond you already share with your fur baby through my meticulously designed accessories.

At home, my husband and I lovingly care for our three adopted pups: Luke🌈, Cooper, Charlie, and our newest addition, Enzo—the Boys of k&m. They’re not just pets but our fur babies, and my daily joy, and the inspiration behind krümmel & mirth. Their presence and zest for life remind me to embrace every moment with love, gratitude, and loyalty to self, staying humble and grounded to enjoy life’s small pleasures. These values have shaped the ethos of my brand.

‘ WAG,
and the world wags with you!’
Come explore our world of
krümmel & mirth
www.krummelandmirth.com

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
When my friend visits Atlanta, it’s set to be a remarkable week packed with unforgettable experiences!

We’ll explore the Beltline and Ponce City Market, and enjoy meals throughout the week at Staplehouse, Busy Bee Cafe, Ruby Chow’s, Forza, Antico Pizza, and of course cocktails at the Ticonderoga Club.

A standout moment will be our day trip to Dahlonega where we will enjoy wine tastings at the numerous vineyards, and indulge in a fabulous brunch at Wolfe Mountain while taking in breathtaking views!

We’ll catch a Braves game at the Battery, visit the Atlanta Botanical Garden, and stroll through Piedmont and Chastain Parks.

To wrap up the week, we’ll dine at Canoe, enjoying delicious cuisine with serene river views.
We’re in for an unforgettable week of making memories!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I owe my life’s accomplishments to my loving parents, who loved, nurtured and supported me from my premature birth through my education and various careers. From an early age, they instilled in me deep values of faith, humility, self-sufficiency, hard work, and perseverance. They not only taught these principles but also embodied them, living lives of generosity and kindness, which taught me the importance of selflessness and giving back to others. Their unwavering love and guidance have been the bedrock of my success, shaping my character and guiding my choices. I am eternally grateful, and richly blessed for the profound impact my mom and dad have had on shaping who I am today.

Website: https://www.krummelandmirth.com

Instagram: @krummelandmirth

Linkedin: Michelle Codrington & krümmel & mirth

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/krummelandmirth

Other: Pinterest krümmelandmirth

Image Credits
Dana Hornbeck

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.