Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in pet care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Mandy Milliken, founder of Mandy's Little Bark Shop, located in Edmonton, AB, Canada.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

My business is all about spoiling Dogs, especially for their birthdays! I create unique, fun, over-the-top cakes and treats for pups, for their birthdays, gotcha days, or just because. My customers are canines, all breeds, and sizes.

Tell us about yourself

First and foremost, I am obsessed with Dogs. They provide the best companionship, friendship, and love of all creatures and are so cute and cuddly!. I started out making dog treats for my own fur babies, as my pup Charlie (King Charles Cavalier) has a very sensitive stomach. Essentially just little treats with no preservatives, lots of fresh lean meats, and veggies. Charlie is a foodie, so he was very impressed! My other pup, Ninja, he is a very stubborn eater, so it was great to try different recipes and get him enjoying them. I was never very artistic, plus I did not like baking; the mess was just too much; however, during the pandemic, in early, I tried baking some cakes for my family and friends. It turns out I have a knack for creating cute cakes! I started my own at-home bakery, Mandy's Little Bake Shop. Despite some early success, I was not thrilled with how stressful meeting human expectations can be. I thought I love dogs, I love baking, and they deserve the very best, healthiest treats. Mandy's Little Bake Shop became Mandy's Little Bark Shop. I love making the pups happy, seeing their celebration pictures, and pleasing the Dog Mamas and Papa's out there! That is why I do this, to see those pictures of pups with their bday hats, chowing on my cakes!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I want to say making a wedding cake for a Pup's Pawrents wedding day. The pup got her very own cake! However, I do believe it is the relationships I am developing with my client's owners. I have repeat customers, and that tells me that my baked goods are enjoyed by the pups, which goes with why I do this!

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

I work Full Time in Commercial Real Estate, so I do not have many evenings for myself now. The balance is a bit hard; I never like saying no to clients. I truly find that really difficult, as I want to ensure the pups all get celebrated! However, I do need time for my family, myself, my husband, my own pups, my daughters, and my friends, so I am learning to adjust expectations.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

Make sure that you market yourself in a way that is future-forward and impactful. Be realistic about how long it will take to build up your business; know that some months will be busier than others. Ensure you have support, whether that is the business community, friends that have their own or had their own businesses, or just family that can understand how busy you will be!

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Must Love Dogs :)

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.mandyslittlebarkshop.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mandys_littlebarkshop

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.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.