GivePet with Chris Dennis

The Give Back Model

Chris Dennis of GivePet

Show Notes:

Today’s guest is Chris Dennis, the founder and owner of GivePet, a premium dog treat company based in Overland Park, Kansas, that gives back to local animal rescues and shelters with every purchase. Chris started his career in the pet industry in 2000, and launched his own company in May 2016. For every bag of treats purchased, GivePet donates enough treats for at least 10 shelter dogs. Chris focuses on growing distribution and retail accounts, along with daily operations of business. Christine chats with Chris about his passion for dogs, his origins in the pet industry, how he made the leap to becoming an entrepreneur, and the details of GivePet’s Give Back Model.

By working with a highly regarded marketing team, and having the support of his family, Chris is leading the mission to help every dog feel special while in a shelter. Chris details the unique process of how GivePet works with distributors to make that happen, and the decision to make their branding and packaging so transparent. Chris explains what sets GivePet treats apart from the rest, why the need for healthy treats in shelters is so important, and shares his advice for new entrepreneurs. To support GivePet and purchase premium, natural treats that give back to animal shelters, visit GivePet.com.

Episode Highlights:

• Chris’s first dog and his family’s passion for rescuing dogs
• Beginnings in the pet industry
• Chris’s idea to make his company work and also give back
• His quick turnaround from employment to launching his own business
• GivePet’s mission and how Chris selects which partners and shelters to work with
• Transparent branding and packaging
• What makes GivePet treats premium - no salt or sugar
• Biggest hurdle Chris has had to overcome
• Need for healthy treats in rescue shelters especially
• Advice for new entrepreneurs - passion and setting weekly goals

Quotes:

“I was kind of entrepreneurial from an early age. My dad owned his own business… It’s kind of in my DNA.”

“My business plan was to run a lean business...not waste a lot of money, and I could give back.”

“People to this day ask me how I can afford to give back, and it’s real simple - we don’t spend marketing dollars on commercials and newspaper ads… We choose to give back and that’s our marketing plan.”

“I worked on setting the business up for about a year and a half.”

“I was really active in the entrepreneurial community.”

“Every dog deserves to feel special.”

“You are very transparent about where that is going, and what their money is doing to give back.”

“Whenever I find out that there’s a business that’s giving back, I’m pretty much going towards them every single time.”

“We use a lot of superfoods, and the ingredients are just clean and legible, and there’s nothing in there that you would wonder what it is, or if it’s healthy for your dog. Everything is all-natural, human grade.”

“I usually seek out a partner that has that same philosophy in mind first, and then we work together to tweak it into the formula that I would like to present to the consumer.”

“We took less margin to offer a better product.”

“The biggest hurdle is to gain distribution.”

“Then when you get in with one...you have to educate their sales people, form relationships with them, make sure you get a good launch, and you maintain that business that you have in the stores.”

“Do something you’re passionate about and find a way to make a living at it.”

“One piece of advice that I like to give people is to set a weekly goal, and no matter how small or big that goal is, accomplish something every week.”

“There’s no perfect time to start a business.”

Links:

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