Pro Health Treats - CocoTherapy

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in pet care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Charisa Antigua, CEO and Co-Founder of Oscar Newman LLC. and CocoTherapy, located in Batavia, IL, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I describe my business as a lifestyle & wellness company for pets. We have two brands: Oscar Newman Luxury Pet Couture, a beautiful pet clothing and accessories brand for pets, and CocoTherapy, an organic pet supplement and treat brand that focuses on the incredible health benefits of organic coconut oil. Our customers are the same for both brands — pet lovers who see their pets as members of their family and expect only the very best for them.

Tell us about yourself

Growing up, I've always loved animals. We grew up on a farm surrounded by dogs, cats, and farm animals. We also grew up with coconuts - lots of it, as it was a big part of my family's life. My twin sister and I were inseparable, and we both knew we wanted to do something with them in any capacity. After a successful career in computer technology, we took the leap of faith and decided to trade a steady, solid paycheck for our passion. We started Oscar Newman LLC in 2003, designing and creating unique hand-embellished sweaters, coats, and hand-smocked dresses for dogs. Then in 2009, I had a beloved Yorkie named Violet, who unfortunately had severe allergies due to a compromised immune system. Long story short, because of our lifelong experience with coconut oil, I found out that organic, pure, therapeutic-grade virgin coconut oil helped her tremendously, and CocoTherapy was born.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I think one of my biggest accomplishments as a business owner is building the trust and loyalty of our customers. When you first start a business, you can't just go out there and say, "buy my product(s), it's the best." We focused on creating the very best, unique products that we ourselves, as avid pet owners, would want, and other like-minded pet owners saw our passion. Once customers see that, they become lifelong, loyal customers. We still serve the very same customers we had on day one today!

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

I can think of a lot of difficulties that come with owning a business. The business becomes a huge part of your identity, sort of like a child you gave birth to - and one of the biggest challenges is taking a break from it. The business is always in the back of my mind, and getting some sort of work-life balance will always be a challenge.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

Many people (specifically women) often ask me for tips or advice. I think my top 3 would be:

1. Be really honest as to why you want to start a business. Know your purpose or mission, and never lose sight of it.
2. Don't overthink it — just do it. Don't worry about writing a detailed business plan or market analysis (we didn't!). If you know your stuff, your craft, and your passion — it will be your guide.
3. Pray, pray, pray! Faith is a big part of who I am, and having a strong faith in God has enabled me to do this, knowing that He is always in control, no matter what happens.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.cocotherapy.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CocoTherapy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cocotherapy/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charisa-antigua-729b475/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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