Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in pet care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Chad Kauffman, co-founder of Kitty Poo Club, located in Wooster, OH, USA.

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

Kitty Poo Club is a subscription-based service that delivers high-quality, eco-friendly litter boxes to cat owners on a monthly basis. The company was founded in 2015 and has since become a popular choice among cat owners who are looking for a convenient, hassle-free way to maintain their cat's litter box.

Kitty Poo Club's litter boxes are made from sturdy, leak-proof materials and come pre-filled with high-quality, biodegradable litter. Each box is designed to last for up to 30 days, making it easy for cat owners to keep their litter box clean and fresh without having to worry about frequent maintenance.

Customers of Kitty Poo Club come from a diverse range of backgrounds, but they all share a common love for their cats and a desire to provide them with the best possible care. Many customers appreciate the convenience of the service, as it allows them to save time and avoid the hassle of constantly cleaning and maintaining their cat's litter box.

In addition to convenience, customers also appreciate the eco-friendly nature of Kitty Poo Club's products. The company uses sustainable materials and biodegradable litter to minimize its environmental impact, which is a big draw for many environmentally-conscious cat owners.

Overall, Kitty Poo Club has developed a loyal following among cat owners who value convenience, sustainability, and high-quality products for their furry friends.

Tell us about yourself

I am a serial entrepreneur and have started many companies over the course of my career. Five years ago, I began looking for a multi-billion dollar industry I could build recurring revenue around. I have always had a love for pets, so I decided to narrow my focus on this industry. I found that maintaining a cat litter box could be a very challenging task for cat owners, and it required a significant amount of time and effort to keep it clean and odor-free. The biggest pain points for cat owners are keeping an odor-free litter box, cleaning the litter box, choosing the right litter, managing behavioral issues which can often stem from the litter box, and managing multiple cats. I was convinced I could come up with a better litter box solution that would solve these major pain points. This was the genesis of the Kitty Poo Club.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

We grew exponentially fast and ended up in our very first year on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing companies (#678). We have an extraordinary team that is laser-focused on our culture and building high-quality products here in Wooster, Ohio, that solve the biggest pain points for cat owners. I am proud of our products and our team. You can't have an extraordinary company without exceptional products and people.

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

As a business owner, one of the hardest things I face is the constant need to make difficult decisions. I am responsible for making critical decisions that can impact the success or failure of my business, often with limited information or resources. These decisions can range from hiring and firing employees to setting prices, making investments, and choosing which products or services to offer.

Making these decisions can be a daunting task, and the consequences of making the wrong decision can be severe, including financial loss, damage to my reputation, or even the failure of my business. I also face pressure to make decisions quickly, which can add to the stress and difficulty of the decision-making process.

In addition to decision-making, I also face challenges such as managing cash flow, maintaining customer satisfaction, dealing with unexpected challenges, and balancing the needs of my business with my personal life.

Overall, being a business owner can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience, but it also comes with a great deal of responsibility and requires a willingness to make difficult decisions and overcome challenges along the way.

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

Here are three tips I would suggest for someone starting a business today:

  1. Conduct thorough market research: Before starting a business, it's crucial to conduct thorough market research to identify your target market, understand their needs and preferences, and assess the competition. This will help you to develop a solid business plan, identify potential obstacles and opportunities, and make informed decisions that can help you succeed.
  2. Focus on cash flow: Cash flow is the lifeblood of any business, and it's essential to have a good understanding of your financial situation at all times. As a new business owner, it's important to create a realistic budget, manage expenses carefully, and prioritize cash flow over short-term profits. This will help you to avoid cash flow problems that can hinder your ability to grow and thrive.
  3. Build a strong team: Building a strong team is essential for the success of any business. As a new business owner, it's important to hire talented, dedicated, and motivated employees who share your vision and are committed to helping you achieve your goals. You should also provide them with the training, resources, and support they need to succeed and create a positive and supportive work environment that fosters collaboration and innovation.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://kittypooclub.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kittypooclub
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kittypooclub/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kitty-poo-club/

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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