Jen Kirby started Piggyback Treats Company to make dog and cat treats from unused, human-grade foods that would otherwise go to waste. She got the idea for her pet industry business about 8 years ago when she saw barrels full of salmon skins at a fish cleaning shop and found out that they just throw them away. She knew there had to be a better solution! Now she rescues salmon skins, chicken feet, pumpkins, apple pulp, liver and so much more to make 50 varieties of sustainable dog treats.
We talk about what it takes to create a successful and sustainable pet business. And we also obsess over out chocolate labs for a while – her dog Candy sounds like a love match for Burt!
Do you want to connect with more dog obsessed women in business? Join the Wear Wag Repeat Labs private Facebook group.
Turning Unused Food into Healthy Dog Treats
Jen Kirby has been working as a professional chef for over 16 years, and as a professional dog-spoiler for basically her entire life. She started Piggyback Treats Company with her boyfriend Chris. They piggyback with tiny, family-run farms and small businesses by rescuing usable, human-grade foods and making them into unique and healthy treats for dogs and cats! They believe that our pets deserve not only to be spoiled, but that we can do so while being conscious of our effect on the environment. Jen and Chris hope to encourage as many people as possible to think sustainably (while spoiling their pets, of course)!
Listeners can use promo code WWR10 at piggybacktreats.com to get $10 off a $60 purchase, plus free shipping!
Topics Discussed in this Episode:
- What inspired Jennifer to reuse food for dogs
- Where Jennifer finds her ingredients
- The importance of forming business relationships
- Jennifer’s favorite creative recipes
- How Jennifer incorporates her dogs in her business
- Advice for business owners that are just starting out
Where to Find Jennifer:
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Spend Less Time Working, and More Time with Your Dog
The Wear Wag Repeat Resource Guide has over 160 apps, tools and resources recommended by my podcast guests that will help you run an efficient and successful pet industry business!
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Tori,
It was a pleasure to be a guest on your podcast! Thank you so much for having me!
Keep up the amazing work!! Thank you for taking the time to share your story!