Check out this dog treat business, called Bo’s Bites & Bakery, in north central Iowa, that started unintentionally!
Where are you located? What does your family look like? Humans and not.
I live in Webster City, Iowa. We are a family of 5, myself, my boyfriend Ryan, his 3 kids that I love like my own, 18 year old daughter Brooklyn, 16 year old son Jaxon, and 13 year old daughter Lilly. We have 2 cats named Freddy and Elvis, 1 dog named Rambo, a bearded dragon named Puff, and 2 hamsters named Hammy and Nugget.
Iowa State Cyclones or Iowa Hawkeyes? (Or favorite team?)
In our home we cheer for the Cyclones
How has your business evolved over time?
I started out with just selling some dog treats to my friends at work. After that I started a Facebook page, and attended my first flea market in Fort Dodge. My packaging was not very attractive during my first flea market with cellophane bags from dollar tree and no signs to say what I was selling. Needless to say, they did not sell well. My next sale I had a banner with my business name and logo and actual packaging bags which started out with everything written on with a permanent marker until I purchased a label maker. After that I doubled my sales from the prior month. I started out doing a couple dozen a week to now at least 25 a week, sometimes more.
What made you decide to start this business?
My dog goes to Daycare twice a week and every time there is a dog’s birthday the dog parent brings in gift bags for all the other dogs at daycare and finally it was Rambo’s turn after almost a year of going to daycare and I was so excited to finally get to do this!
So I looked up recipes to make my own doggy muffins and bought dog toys and little treats to make up gift bags. The girl who usually runs it had covid that week so the groomer who isn’t a big fan of my high energy dog was in charge and she told me she would pass out the bags if I sat them on the counter.
Later that evening when I picked him up I noticed the gift bags and muffins were left untouched so all the work I did was for nothing and secretly broke my heart. I ended up taking the extra muffins I had made to my friends at work for their dogs and the next day they told me how much their dogs loved them so then I decided to try making regular treats and handed those out and again their dogs LOVED them!
My friends told me if I made more they would buy them so that is how it started. A broken heart recovered by supportive good friends!
Why has this been a good fit for you?
My business is a good fit for me because I have always been an animal lover since I was a young child so this is more like a dream job to me! I love hearing how people’s dogs loved the treats I made in my own kitchen. I love attending the markets and people sharing their pet stories and pictures!
If you could choose one treat what would it be?
Treat for my dog or me? Haha for me it would be 
What have been some struggles with starting this business?
There haven’t really been any struggles yet so far because I wasn’t intending on really even starting a business, it just kind of happened.
What has been the most rewarding part of your business?
The people! The stories and pictures of their pets, past and present. The joy on their faces when talking about their four legged babies.
Beach or mountain? Why?
Mountains. Much more peaceful than the beach but I still enjoy a good beach view every once in a while
How do you do what you do with your business? How does it work?
I make everything in my own kitchen. I have a Facebook page where people can reach out to me and place an order, I attend markets, I also sell a lot to my co-workers and friends. My business is mostly word of mouth. I also just recently did my very first donation basket for a silent auction for a church fundraiser. My dad and brother also advertise the business name on their race cars, my mom advertises with a window sticker on the back window of her car.
What hasn’t worked?
I haven’t had any real issues with this one either as my business was not really intentional at the beginning.
What else are you doing that is awesome?
I don’t pride myself enough, but people are always telling me how I am such a good bonus mom to my kids and that makes me feel so good inside.
What have you learned now that you didn’t know before?
How easy it was to make dog treats and how much healthier and tastier they are for the dogs.
Favorite thing to do in your free time?
Spend time with family
What piece of advice would you give to yourself when you started this business?
Don’t stress so much the night before a market, they always turn out just fine!
What is the next thing you are wanting to pursue?
I would love to open a Doggy Daycare and Boarding!
Favorite thing to make for dinner?
Chicken Enchiladas or Chicken and Noodles
How do we find out more about you? Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Etsy. Give me all of the ways to see your business/products!
As of right now I only have a Facebook page and have been working on a website which I will post on my Facebook page once it is complete. You can also find me at some local markets.
If you want to find out more about my other entrepreneur friends that we have interviewed on the Iowa Family Gardening Homestead please visit them HERE!
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