Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in pet care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Smriti Pratishruti, founder, and owner of PawzNDogz, located in Acton, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
PawzNDogz is a premium, online, Canadian pet boutique that specializes in canine enriching / mentally stimulating, premium Designed in Canada, durable, varying challenge levels, and machine washable snuffle mats. Its products are carried by 135+ stores (and growing!) across Canada & USA.
PawzNDogz snuffle mats have been thoughtfully designed in-house, considering feedback/research from 100s of customers over the last two years. We truly understand what clicks and what does not, what customers look for, ask for, and desire. All of our snuffle mats are machine washable in a 30-degree gentle wash cycle.
Tell us about yourself
After having worked in the corporate sector in IT, Non-Profit and Retail across geographies for eight years, I finally decided to do what I love. I LOVE DOGS! Traveling from India to the USA to Canada, one thing was common across the board - the unparalleled love of the parents for their fur babies and the willingness to give them the best life. Being a dog mom myself, I realized there are so many challenges that we face every day as dog parents.
After having thought about this for months, It was time to materialize the dream of transforming a passion into a profession. I decided to marry my concept of a solution-oriented dog boutique with my experience in Computer Science Engineering and MBA.
Voila! PawzNDogz was born - A Canadian, Premium, Online Dog Boutique.
Conceived in the midst of the pandemic, it is proud to be on an accelerated growth path with the support of its distributors and retailers (135+ stores and growing) across Canada & USA, thereby coming one step closer to its vision - "All Dogs should experience the joy of snuffling in a PawzNDogz Snuffle Mat."
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Taking a leap of faith - Growing the business from nothing with only knowledge, experience, and love for dogs. We have had our share of learnings too, but we have learned from it and are not allowed to bug us down.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Balance, fundraising, competition. The pet industry is highly competitive one and as a business owner we need to have a product that attracts the contemporary pet parent who looks for quality and durability. There is an incessant need to stay top of mind (TOM). Staying relevant and evolving is the key to survival.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Understand the market.
- Carve a niche.
- Believe in yourself.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.pawzndogz.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pawzndogz
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pawzndogz/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pawzndogz/
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.