Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in pet care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Scot Hill, founder and owner of Woof Creek Dog Wellness, located in Riverview, FL, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Woof Creek Dog Wellness makes clean, whole food, nutrient-dense canine meal toppers & yums for fur babies’ ailments and general holistic health.
I am a Tampa Bay's Chef, an Advanced Canine Nutrition Specialist, and a devoted Dog Dad, founded Woof Creek at the onset of the pandemic when my beloved downtown Tampa eatery had to close its doors permanently. Thankfully, in two shakes of a pup’s tail, two sweet & spunky, allergy-suffering spoodles who needed new homes opened new doors–to my home and heart–also, quite permanently.
To address the discomfort and pain my fur girls suffered, I began crafting irresistible, holistic, essential nutrient meal toppers, as well as snacks, training bites, chews, and balms. With such pivotal and impactful results from my poignant powders—sans synthetic medications and prescription dog foods–I knew my mission. For the prevention & remedy of the all too prevalent health issues affecting mine and so many pups, I would offer my meal toppers+ to my fellow pooch parent community!
Using selectively sourced, organic, and wholly bio-available ingredients like medicinal mushrooms, crucial superfoods, and novel proteins, I make my canine wellness food toppers for true, long-term wellness, preventative maintenance, and relief from issues like anxiety, allergies, gut problems, mobility troubles and more. My homemade meal toppers, like the Essential Hip & Joint Support with naturally occurring glucosamine, chondroitin, and collagen, often replace expensive medications, not only saving pups’ core systems from long-term side effects but instead enhancing their bodies’ functions.
We are realizing our objective: Adding more tail wagging years™ for all fur babies.
Tell us about yourself
Having been a head chef for nearly thirty-five years, nutrition and ‘culinary chemistry’ is a passion and fascination of mine. But having been a dog lover for my entire life, investing the time and energy toward healing and helping our best furry friends was the most natural thing to do. Yes, the pandemic set up a bittersweet scenario, and choosing to call its challenges opportunities was aided by my fur (and human!) family, but at this point, it feels like Woof Creek was always my calling.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
‘Continuing the climb’ has been my biggest accomplishment. Many obstacles could have put me off, but I pivoted rather than quit. With that, I’ve grown so much, as has Woof Creek.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Handling the overwhelm. There is nothing in your own business that isn’t your responsibility. And getting to know what you don’t know, then handling those aspects, has been challenging, eye-opening, and so, so rewarding. I’ve learned how to do tasks that I’d never imagined having to tackle, from accounting to social media to sales, and it’s a lot to juggle.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Definitely write a business plan, and revisit and revise it frequently. It gives you a necessary ‘yard stick’ and vision. Plus, it is vital for any future financing needs.
- Know your mission and create your mission statement.
- Stay true to your mission statement. It will guide your decisions.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
My fur girls, Lily & Layla, are my Chief Tasting Officer and Chief Quality Control Officer, respectively. It wouldn’t be right if I didn’t include feedback from them.
“Wooof!” Lily mentioned regarding how she hasn’t had itchy skin or a wild cough for a year and a half now, which is due to our Immunity & Allergy Relief topper.
Layla added, “Rrrruuff.” Too true. It must be rough living such a healthy, tasty life! (Poodles, smart *and sassy.)
And I say, for my fur kids, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.woofcreek.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/woofcreek
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/woofcreekwellness/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/woofcreek
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scot-hill-abb47450/
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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