Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in pet care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Cynthia Dunston Quirk, Founder of Scout & Zoe's and Ziva's Surprise Pack, located in Anderson, IN, USA.

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

Scout & Zoe's is a premium pet products company. We create the yummiest treats and chews in the Universe for the world's most deserving pets. Utilizing human-grade, raw ingredients that are sourced in the USA, our products are produced in USDA-inspected facilities. The proteins we use are novel, or unique, proteins that dogs and cats tend not to be allergic to since they have not been overexposed to the protein. We also use invasive species as well as sustainable insect proteins in our treats.

Our clientele is direct to consumers on our website, www.scoutandzoes.com, as well as retail stores that buy wholesale from us. We also private-label products for other pet companies.

Tell us about yourself

I am a lifelong dog lover, so it is no surprise to anyone who knows me that my life has totally gone to the dogs. My German Shepherd, Zoe, had beef allergies, so I could never find anything for her to chew on. By now, we also had Scout, our German Shorthaired Pointer, who also had allergies...to chicken. So meal times and treatment times were challenging to purchase treats both pups could enjoy.

I made it my mission to find something for them to chew on. Somehow, I hit on the idea of elk antlers for dog chews and, after testing the antlers with Scout and Zoe and a few other dogs in the neighborhood, had the product branded, packed, and ready for sale in only two weeks. That was way back in 2010. In 2012, when Chinese chicken jerky began killing dogs is when I drew my line in the sand about making treats. I started with chicken jerky, sweet potatoes, and carrots. I've never looked back. Now we have 150 SKUs and unique products that include invasive species and sustainable insect proteins, as well as venison, duck, and kangaroo.

What motivates me each day? The legacy of Scout and Zoe, since they are both gone. I am also motivated by finding ways to continually push the envelope of what is new and different that the pet industry hasn't ever seen. The health and wellness of all pets get my feet on the floor each and every morning.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Building a company from just an idea, I had to solve an issue for my pups. Millions of treats and chews later, I have a company with a global footprint that ensures pets' health, wellness, and longevity are top of mind with each treatment we create. All this happened because this girl loved her pups so very much!

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

Becoming an expert on things you never knew you needed to know. As you create and build a business, you DO have to become the expert until you can outsource that task. Logistics is one area where I really needed assistance in the early days of Scout & Zoe's. Now, it is still a moving target, but I know so much more about it than I did in 2010. I should write a book about what you need to know that no one tells you when you start a business.

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

  1. Remember, you are very resourceful. You don't have to be the font of all knowledge. Chances are one of your friends who has started a business knows someone who can help you through the challenge.
  2. Always get a bookkeeper. You cannot and MUST not overlook how important it is to set your accounting system up in the beginning so you can keep track of expenses, sales, and every little thing in between. If you don't hire a bookkeeper, your first-year taxes will be a nightmare. You're welcome!
  3. Join a group with other entrepreneurs. As a solopreneur, it is lonely at the top. Most times, someone in the group has had the challenge you are facing and can help you not have to reinvent the wheel to solve it. They can also talk you through burnout, off the proverbial ledge when things get bumpy, and help you laugh when you need it. They are worth their weight in gold!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website:
https://scoutandzoes.com/
https://www.zivassurprisepack.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScoutandZoes/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scoutandzoes/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ScoutAndZoes
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cdunstonquirkleap2008/

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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