Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in animal care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Matthew Meyer, co-founder of The Bear & The Rat: Cool Treats for Dogs, located in Longmont, CO, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are The Bear & The Rat: Cool Treats for Dogs, and we produce prebiotic frozen yogurt for dogs. Our customers are furry, and their parents are health-conscious millennials or empty nesters looking for the "better for their pup" option. Our goal is to make dogs insanely happy with our treat while establishing trust with pet parents.
Tell us about yourself
Matt had the idea for our company when he was eight years old. His family would go for cones on Sunday. This was the 80's when people treated their dogs more like animals and not as members of the family, but his family was different. Every week, his dog Babette would get a scoop of vanilla. His mom and brothers and sisters loved watching her eat the frozen treat, and she loved it too, but she would never tolerate it well. His dad would always have to clean up the mess, but they continued to get it for her because, well, it was fun (and very entertaining).
We launched this brand because we saw a gap in frozen treats and wanted to do it with more fun and pizazz. Dog's health and their happiness are the two things that drive me to get up and try to improve our company. Also, our two human boys are a major motivator.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Working for myself and with my wife is something that is very rewarding. I'm also very proud of having our two dogs' faces across the country on our packaging.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
I think one of the hardest things is choosing the next path (i.e., launching a new product). Currently, we only produce frozen products. We would like to expand our line but launching new products can be exciting and scary.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Be passionate about what you are doing. If getting rich or money is the only motivator, your customers will see right through it. Do something that excites you and makes you happy. If people see the passion, they will want to support in some way even if it's not for them.
- Start slow and grow organically. It took us eight years to bring Meg on full-time and have this be our full-time job. Don't be so quick to quit your current job if you are bootstrapping. Wait for the win that is going to take up all of your time where you can no longer focus on both.
- Don't do frozen. While there is a bit of sarcasm in this sentence, I do think it is one of the harder sections to break into with space being limited and constantly fought over. If you have a product that is new to frozen or fits a niche, you might have an easier time.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
The pet industry is fun, informative, and full of amazing people. Dogs are the best!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.cooltreatsfordogs.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBearandTheRat/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebearandtherat/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CoolTreats4Dogs
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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