From the Lansing State Journal
Battle Creek woman’s business goes to the dogs - on purpose
BATTLE CREEK - Krista Howard loves to bake almost as much as she loves her dogs.
So it seemed a risk worth taking, almost a year ago, when she quit her job and decided to combine the two interests.
Now the owner of Doggylicious Delights Barkery, Howard works from one of two kitchens in her Battle Creek home, baking all-natural and organic canine confections.
“These guys were my inspiration,” she said, petting her dogs, Franky and Izabel. “I wanted to work from home, but I needed to find something I could be passionate about, something I cared about.
“I’m trying to live a more healthy lifestyle,” Howard continued, explaining that she and her husband eat a lot of organic foods for their health benefit. “I thought it would be a good idea to offer those kinds of things for people’s pets.”
Howard moved to the Cereal City in 1988, shortly after graduating from Western Michigan University. Trained as an occupational therapist, she spent several years as a traveling therapist for a national health care company.
“I enjoyed my job; I got to travel all around the country,” she said, “but I was ready for a change ready to try something new.”
Howard said she researched several at-home business options on the Internet and took some preparatory classes offered by the local chamber of commerce.
She also said her initial investment was minimal.
“There haven’t been a lot of startup expenses,” she said.
“I’ve done just about everything myself.”
In fact, Howard said she has personally researched every ingredient that goes into every dog treat she makes - such as peanut butter, pumpkin and blueberries - assuring that the finished products are completely natural and/or organic.
“I took some of my core recipes from the Internet, but have made them my own,” she said. “I’m still not sure there’s a huge market for organic dog treats, but my brother is a vegan and he’s telling me to hang in there, they’re out there.”
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If you want to serve the pet market but don’t have the time to create a whole line of products, this company may provide additional products to “round out” your offerings… HealthyPetNet.com
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