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Encore from August 8, 2021 - Katie McCarron is the Founder of Portland Pet Food Company (PPFC), a global manufacturer of human-grade dog meals and treats based in Portland, Oregon. Katie launched PPFC in 2014 after finding success formulating meals at home for her aging poodle, Rosie. Today, using the same recipes she developed for Rosie, PPFC provides dogs across the USA, Canada, and Japan with products that are free of preservatives, additives, or artificial ingredients. With an emphasis on local sourcing and sustainability, the company’s mission is to provide dogs with the same quality food that their humans eat.
Before launching PPFC, Katie worked in healthcare administration, education, and business development. Her first business, Academic Network, provided educational programs for international food and pharmaceutical companies. In 2008, she sold the company and focused on engaging with women-owned businesses and support organizations.
Katie McCarron explains what the term “human-grade food” means
How Katie's poodle, Rosie, inspired the founding of Portland Pet Food Company (PPFC) and the steps Katie took to start making and selling pet food
How Katie's products were received by conventional retail stores, how she distributed them, and how she expanded to different states
Katie talks about serving health-conscious pet owners and taking the plant-based route
How PPFC was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the future of online shopping
Katie talks about educating pet owners about her pet food products, her brand’s bakery for dog food, and their new product line
How switching from in-person meetings to Zoom meetings with buyers has affected entrepreneurs
The plans Katie has for selling in retail stores, growing exports, and connecting with different types of buyers
Katie's advice on buying good pet food
Would you eat the food meant for your pet? Do you know the ingredients used to produce your pet's food?
In a bid to provide her pet with healthy, human-grade food, Katie McCarron started making dog food at home using the ingredients that were available in her kitchen. She saw a great improvement in her pet's appetite and health, which inspired her to start Portland Pet Food Company after realizing that no similar product existed in the market.
In this episode of the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast, Katie McCarron, the Founder of Portland Pet Food Company, gets interviewed by Steve Cleere about her journey in building a human-grade pet food brand. Katie explains how she entered retail stores, how she has been growing her export market, how she has been educating pet owners about her healthy pet food products, and her future expansion plans. Stay tuned.
Portland Pet Food Company on Amazon
Portland Pet Food Company on Chewy
Western United States Agricultural Trade Association (WUSATA)
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
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