Today we’d like to introduce you to Naiwa Northey.
Hi Naiwa, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
The idea to spend my free time crafting dog treats began in late 2016 when, after months of contemplating and prepping, I invited a playful Chihuahua mix puppy into my home and my heart. I instantly fell in love with my new puppy, who I named Dante. With his pointed, fuzzy ears and big, curious eyes, he charmed his way into my lap and brought me more happiness and purpose than I ever could have imagined.
I found myself thinking and acting like a new mother, only wanting the best for my new companion, whether it was long walks, new toys to play with, and above all healthy food and treats that I could give him and feel good about. Finding treats that were natural that he actually enjoyed was at times an adventure all on its own until I took matters into my own hands and started baking for him.
On Dante’s first birthday, I spent all morning baking cupcakes for him, using the best ingredients that I could find. Realizing I had created more cupcakes than Dante could devour on his own, I shared them among my friends who also had dogs of their own. They were a huge hit and soon, people were asking for more of my homemade treats! Shortly afterward, our mom & pup bakery was born, powered by my love of dogs and my mission to provide natural & organic treats that were both healthy and fun!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Starting my small business has not always been a smooth road. While my business stemmed from my passion for dogs and baking, I learned very quickly that there was a lot more involved to running a business than I could have imagined. I have learned the most from the mistakes and learning curves I have experienced a long way, such as perfecting our recipes so they maintain their integrity without the use of preservatives and shipping them safely and securely to our customers to ensure they withstand the shipping process.
In the beginning, it was all trial and error and learning from my mistakes. Those mistakes at times were costly for my small business, but I never thought about giving up, even when my sales were slow in the first couple of years. I knew that I was far too passionate about what I was doing to quit and I also kept reminding myself that most businesses do not turn a profit until after 5 years, so even if my journey was a slow one, I took pride in the experience it was providing me and the valuable lessons I was learning along the way.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I don’t just see myself as a baker for dogs. I also see myself as an artist. While my main priority is creating gourmet dog treats that are natural and nutritious, the fun part is getting as creative as I can with my products and their designs. While my doggy customers may only care about gobbling down our treats, I know that their dog parents also want something special and beautiful to spoil their dogs with, whether it is an extravagant birthday cake or a box of hand-decorated cookies. Aside from picky dogs approving of my gourmet treats, I also receive many compliments on the detail and artistic touch that I pour into my work. Our gourmet dog cakes and cookies have been a huge hit among our customers, and we often have requests for custom orders to bring our client’s fun ideas to life, whether it is for their dog’s special day, an upcoming event, or for a pet store display.
What matters most to you? Why?
Using natural and organic ingredients in our gourmet dog treats that are also free of soy, corn, and preservatives is very important to me because I believe dogs deserve to live their best, healthiest lives while they are here with us. I value creating products that make my customers excited to receive them and that adds an extra special touch to treat time, helping to celebrate the special relationship between dogs and their parents. I want to always feel proud of my business and the products that I create, putting quality and love into every part of it.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.DantesDoggyDelights.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dantesdoggydelights/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DantesDoggyDelights/
- Other: www.etsy.com/shop/dantesdoggydelights
Image Credits
Pinup Perfection Photography
Kara Dafnis
Get The Shot Photography
