Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in pet care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Natasha and Derek Amalfa, Owners of Salty Dogs Barkery, located in Lockeport, NS, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
At Salty Dogs Barkery we offer a selection of fresh baked cookies and air-dried fish dog treats. Our cookies are handmade with human-grade ingredients that are beneficial to a dog's diet, and the selection of air-dried fish treats offers excellent dental and skin benefits for your best friend.
Tell us about yourself
We live in the beautiful beachside town of Lockeport in rural Nova Scotia. With our pack of three big dogs, we walk the beach daily, and our dogs love to eat and play with the seaweed that washes up on shore. We had just gotten a new puppy and were looking for a healthy training treat. We have a stubborn husky and knew we were going to need a lot of treats. Having grown up on an island, we knew about all the health benefits seaweed offers and did research on the benefits for dogs. High in nutrition and vitamins and also a natural preservative, we created our first recipe, Seaweed Snacks.
Our pack loved them, and we began to offer them to friends and family, all received pawsite reviews. Our journey quickly went from our local farmers market in Shelburne to over 30 retail partners in Nova Scotia in a year. Our treat selection includes a full selection of cookies and fish treats made from quality ingredients for your best friend. We love to see pups enjoying our treats and hear pet parents tell us how their picky dog loves our treats, because we love to make them.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
We are so proud of the relationships that we have built so quickly. With over 30 retail partners, we have worked with and learned from amazing friends in the pet business, craft brewery, eCommerce, retail grocery, and tourism operators. We are very proud of the product that we put out and are very grateful for all the support received from our customers, friends, and partners.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Managing our personal life and taking time for ourselves. When you love what you do, it is sometimes difficult to step back and take a moment for yourself. We have had a busy and steady year of growth, but we continue to make time for our daily beach walks.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Do something you are passionate about. There are lots of jobs out there; if you are going to choose to work for yourself, do something that brings you joy.
- Be fearless. You don't know what you are capable of until you really truly commit to something.
- Be patient. One of our very good friends always reminds us to be patient, and he is always right. Good things take time, and we continue to enjoy our journey.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://saltydogsbarkery.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saltydogsbarkery
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saltydogsbark/
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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