Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in pet care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Parisa Fowles-Pazdro, CEO of maxbone, located in Los Angeles, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
As the first branded pet label, maxbone was born to provide a convenient experience for the new generation of pet owners looking for modern and high-quality pet products. maxbone was founded on the principle that our pets should receive the same care as we do for ourselves - a concept that was completely new to the pet industry at the time I founded the company. There is no reason why pet products should be any different than what we eat, wear, or use personally. Among our carefully selected products are freeze-dried food - for which we spent two years developing the most nutritious and convenient formulas - grooming products, functional accessories, beds, bowls, and toys. We're a very design-driven brand, but at the core, we design products that are functional and that make a positive impact on pets and their people.
Tell us about yourself
Seeing the pet industry booming now, you would never imagine it was essentially untapped five years ago. As I looked for dog products, I just couldn't connect with any brand. They didn't appeal to me as far as quality, experience, and story. Everything from the accessories to the wellness products I needed to treat my dog's skin inflammation felt so archaic that I had to make a change. My goal was to humanize all aspects of the pet industry and create a company that would be able to serve all pet's needs while being very modern and convenient. My ultimate goal is to help dogs live a better life and to give pet owners an enjoyable experience while shopping for their pets. There has been a lot of progress in the pet industry over the years, but so much more innovation is needed. That's where maxbone comes in. Bringing freshness and a streamlined approach to pet supplies, food, and wellness.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Our goal as a consumer-centric brand is to make maxbone accessible to as many pets as possible. We want to be where our customers are, so in 2022, we partnered with Petsmart, the largest pet retailer, to bring a maxbone collection to stores in the USA and Canada. The response has been overwhelming as pet owners have been able to experience maxbone in real life and see what makes us unique in the industry. It is our goal to continue expanding maxbone's retail presence worldwide.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Building a company and managing investor expectations can become very challenging. Dealing with investors can take up a significant amount of a founder's time which should be focused on things that will improve the business. It takes a village to build a solid business vision, and in some cases, investors don't fully understand what it takes to move the needle. Being a VC-backed company can be game-changing but also very demanding from a founder's perspective.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Grow sustainably and profitably by focusing on your core vision.
- Diversify your manufacturing capabilities and increase margins to minimize supply chain and inflation risks.
- Deeply understanding your customer's needs to deliver the right experience and create intangible connections that will ultimately lead to loyalty.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.maxbone.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themaxbone/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/maxbone/
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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