Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in pet care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Krister Holm, General Manager of WizSmart by Petix Company LLC., located in Fairfield, CT, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We produce and sell the best puppy and dog training pads in the world! We make our pads from upcycled, unused baby diapers that we get straight from the manufacturers. So we save 500 million defective diapers from landfill every year. Makes for a much more absorbent pee pad, and we are also much more sustainable.
Tell us about yourself
I left the finance industry after 26 years, having worked all over the world, and wanted to do something closer to my passion, dogs. I teamed up with former colleagues that started this company in Brazil 15 years ago and decided to create a brand for the US market and start selling. I love to bring better and more sustainable products to US consumers and help US retailers diversify their supply chains. Almost all competitors use factories in China. We produce in our own factory in Brazil.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Having created a brand that is now the # 1 premium pee pad after only 5 years and being sold in over 2,500 pet specialty stores in all states in the US.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Introducing a better, more sustainable, premium product into a highly commoditized market that has not seen innovation in many years. Everyone here is used to buying what they have always been buying, which is cheap products from China.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- It's going to take twice as long and cost you twice as much money as you thought.
- It's not a hobby; you need to dedicate 100% from Day 1.
- Make sure you have your finances in order and your family and friends fully behind you. It will be a tough ride.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Nothing better than building something by yourself, big or small. Does not matter. There's too much talent hiding behind the walls of large corporations. Go out there and do your thing. Life is short.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.wizsmart.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wizsmartpad/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wizsmartpad/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/wizsmartpad
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wizsmartpad-by-petix-430476238/
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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