Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in dog food but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lisa Momberger, founder of Honey I'm Home, located in Los Angeles, CA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are Honey I'm Home and we sell honey-coated water buffalo dog treats and chews. Our customers are the best, the most loyal of all...they are our four legged, furry family members and their owners who, over recent years, have taken a more active approach in understanding what they are feeding their dog. Our treats are made with simple ingredients like Water Buffalo and Honey so you never have to wonder what "other stuff" might be ending up in your dog's belly.
Tell us about yourself
Honey I'm Home was founded on the belief that strong and sweet could live together in the perfect dog treat. When we started the company, we set out on an adventure to source ingredients and develop practices that serve dogs, humans, communities, and even whole ecosystems, with each bite. A delicious mix of sweet and savory, Honey I'm Home treats and chews are made from human-grade water buffalo that are 100% grass fed, free range, grain free and humanely raised without use of added hormones or antibiotics. A HUGE motivator for us is customer education. Educating the masses on not only the health aspects of water buffalo (it is a healthier red meat alternative to beef and one of the most sustainable red meat sources on the planet), but also the key benefits of importing this novelty protein from India. There is often a misconception of food products coming out of India but the truth is, their ideals and respect for these animals is unparalleled as there are generations of farmers building communities around sustainable animal husbandry. Now that's a dog treat that leaves a good taste in everyone's mouth.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Gosh, all of it?! There is not much out there more gratifying than planting a seed, nurturing your ideas and growing them into a viable business. I knew nothing about the business side of the pet industry before Honey I'm Home. Now, not only do we have brand name recognition throughout the industry but we are in almost 2500 retail locations nationwide...all of this in just a little over 3 years. I know we must be doing something right and that feels really good.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
I think there is a misconception of all the "free time" you will have as a business owner when in fact it's quite the opposite. When starting a business from the ground up you have to be prepared to work tirelessly and although I was clear that it would be hard work, I don't think anyone can accurately prepare you for the amount of time you will spend ensuring the success of your company because it matched only by the passion you hold internally. That being said, the harder you work, the more gratifying the reward. That is fact.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
For us it boils down to the three P's.
Passion
Persistence
Patience
You have to love what you do, be willing keep going even if after someone says no and understand that if you put in the work, the reward will follow. There is no such thing as overnight success.
Where can people find you and your business?
https://www.instagram.com/HoneyImHome/
https://www.facebook.com/HoneyMHome
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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