Have you been considering opening a dog treat business but don’t know where to start? We recently discovered a course that will help you do just that. But, let’s walk through the steps. Then, we’ll share the course with you so you can get started!
Is The Demand There?
YES! The demand is there. You may be asking yourself, “why doesn’t Canine Companions get into this business if there’s demand?” So, let’s address this question first. We have chosen to partner with organizations that make dog treats. Dog treats aren’t our primary focus, although we do enjoy sharing our favorite companies.
Now, moving on. According to the American Pet Products Association, APPA, 68% of the households in the United States have a pet and this statistic continues to increase. Just to put this into perspective, this means that over 60 million homes have at least one dog as part of their family! That’s a lot!
This many dogs equals a lot of dog treats, especially ones that are meeting the needs of our dogs. And fortunately, a lot of pet parents are leaning toward holistic or natural products. This provides current entrepreneurs with the perfect opportunity to get started!
Make a Business Plan
If this is a venture you’re considering, the first step you need to take is to begin crafting a business plan. The business plan will serve as your guide as you move through the next steps. It’s kind of like a blueprint to take a look at any time you’re wondering which direction to go.
It’s also important to take a look at how you’re going to pay to create the business. Unfortunately, it takes money to make money. But if this is something you’re passionate about, the return on investment is definitely there!
Grab a Business License
There are many steps you need to take in order to start a business in the United States in order to fulfill the conditions of the law. One of the main requirements and most important things you’ll need is a business license. Without a business license, the business is not recognized by the law, meaning you do not own the business. Fortunately, in New York State, if you’re starting with sole proprietorship it’s only a $25 charge.
If you have a physical place of business, or even if you don’t, you should consider investing in insurance should any legal matter arise. For example, if a dog were to get sick (even if it’s not correlated to your specific treat) it’s a good idea to have insurance to cover any unexpected expenses.
Choose Your Location
With any brand or business, you create it’s important to find your ideal location. This is one of the most important aspects of setting up a business and can have a huge impact on the future of your business.
Many times, a business could have excellent products, but not be placed in the right area and they fail due to this. If you have a physical store, being somewhere people can easily access is important.
Now that your ready to consider your location there are many aspects of the location you need to consider such as the following:
- Accessibility to your target market
- How many pet owners are there where you’re looking?
- How easy is it to get to?
- Is it far from the pet community?
- Are there any pet-friendly locations nearby?
Create Your Secret Recipe
The success of your business will greatly depend on the treats you are providing. You want something that sets you apart from other businesses. Take a look at the following factors:
- What kinds of treats are currently successful?
- What are dog lovers searching for?
- What kinds of treats haven’t been successful?
If you take this approach, your business is more likely to be successful.
The Dog Bakery Course
First, we need to say that we make no money off of promoting this course. We just really like it. It has a lot of information for those interested in pursuing this career along with actionable advice.
They even offer a free workshop you can sign up for by clicking here! We recommend you start by taking a look at the free workshop and go from there. If you’re still interested, perhaps you want to get started yourself or you may choose to take the course offered by Diva Dog Bakery here.
Get Started Developing Your Business
In order to become a successful business owner, you will need to be dedicated, passionate, and ready to pursue what you’re doing. It will take time away from your current demands, perhaps from your family and friends, and will require a lot of sacrifices. Before pursuing this type of venture, make sure you’re ready for this.
If you’re ready, it’s officially time to get started!
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