NAME OF STARTUP: DOGPAK
FOUNDED IN (Year): 2020
FOUNDER’S NAME: Devin Kelly
THE IDEA: What is the problem being solved by your startup / business?:
We design, manufacture, and sell high-quality outdoor K9 gear to make it easier to get outside and adventure with your pup. Using the latest in outdoor gear tech, our products feature ultralight and weatherproof materials, as well as reflectivity to add a margin of safety and make it easier to spot your dog on the trail.
THE FOUNDER’S STORY: When and how did you come up with the idea for the business?:
We are a family-owned outdoor K9 gear and content company inspired by the nostalgia of my own personal travels around the globe with my pup Thunder. After 12 years, 46 States, 30 countries, and 2 transcontinental motorcycle rallies with old Thunder, I realized that my most endearing memories with my pup came from those unforgettable adventures we shared together—the kinds of journeys that don’t always seem fun in the moment but have a tendency to shine in retrospect as we regale our friends over a campfire with stories that combine suspense and laughter, snorts and tears in equal parts—the kinds of memories built from a questionable unfolding of comedy and mishap, moonlit nights and misty mornings, missed switchbacks and rain soaked shoes, tall tales that grow in zeal and zest with each passing year and each retelling over a campfire on a mountain side somewhere beneath the stars.
We are purveyors of type II fun and full-belly laughs on empty stomachs after long days and many miles. DOGPAK was inspired by the same kinds of adventures we hope to inspire in you. Our mission is to help other people develop the same kind of bond with their pups by making it easier to get outdoors together.
WHO IS THE CUSTOMER: What is the typical profile of your target customer? Where would they be located?:
Our products are designed for people who love to be outside exploring and adventuring with their dogs. Hiking, camping, trail-running, or skiing, we believe adventures are better shared with our four-legged friends. If you feel the same, then be sure to take a look at DOGPAK.
LESSONS TO SHARE: What 3 key lessons from your startup journey you’d like to share with aspiring entrepreneurs?:
I have learned that everything takes longer than expected—so you might be better off doubling your estimate of how much time things will take.
Likewise, everything seems to cost more than initially expected, so be prepared to double your cost estimates too.
Lastly, I have learned the importance of proper vetting and delegating tasks. Ideally we want to hire out our weaknesses, whether it be to a freelancer, an agency, or an in-house employee.
HQ City: Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland
Website URL: https://dogpak.com
Number of Employees: 1-5
Connect On Twitter: https://twitter.com/DOGPAK_K9Gear
