Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in pet care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kelly Koehler, Founder of U̅güd Dog, located in Rohnert Park, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Ugud Dog is a woman-founded pet wellness brand. We offer USDA Certified Organic and premium-grade broad-spectrum (0.0% THC) CBD products formulated specifically for dogs. Our purpose is to provide a holistic opportunity for all dogs to live long and comfortable lives with their families. We strive to use the business as a force for good, not only for our pets but for our planet. From our CBD extract, originating in USDA Organic Certified hemp farms, to our shipping materials (which are 100% recyclable), sustainable and ethical sourcing is front of mind for every decision. Ugud Dog is also a proud member of 1% of the planet. We take responsibility for the health of our planet by donating 1% of annual sales to environmental non-profit organizations.
Our customers are like-minded dog parents who want the highest quality products for their furry family members and are making efforts to be sustainably focused in all aspects of their lives. Some of them have pet-family which are advanced in age and have senior-dog problems. Others may have able-bodied dogs with anxiety. Together, we help our dogs unleash a renewed sense of well-being without traditional pharmaceuticals.
Tell us about yourself
I do it for the dogs. I looked for alternatives to the conventional therapeutics available for my senior dogs when they were experiencing challenges, and when I had trouble finding something instilling trust, creating our own seemed most logical.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
While it seems early to start noting milestones, I’d say taking the first step, making the decision to pursue this path to become a business owner, required overcoming the fear of failure; it truly feels like an accomplishment.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Fear of failure might not affect those who are inherently driven to win, but for most of us, it’s omnipresent. My business is an extension of me, so if it does not do well, I don’t feel well.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Be organized, do the paperwork, and have your ducks in a row.
- Think realistically about money. Funding. Costs. I’ll say it twice. Costs.
- Success is hard to define and is almost never immediate. If you believe in what you are doing, keep doing it. Think positive ;)
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
For others who have an interest in starting a CBD brand, do the research and be prepared to hit a ton of roadblocks along the way. Enjoy the ride!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://uguddog.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100072912619302
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ugud_dog/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/uguddog
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ugud-dog/
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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