New Business: 4 Paws Pet Bakery

Business People, Jan 01, 2007

NAME: 4 Paws Pet Bakery

Owner: Sherry Hamilton

Address: 6731 W. Jefferson Blvd. Fort Wayne, IN 46804

Telephone: (260) 434-1506

Type of Business:

4 Paws Pet Bakery specializes in pet treats that are made on site. Its feature item is the Buffalo Biscuit, which is made using fresh buffalo meat. The bakery also offers birthday cakes, brownies, bagels and several types of biscuits, just to name a few. Fridays are pizza day and customers can get a buffalo or veggie pizza for their pet. On Saturdays, a photographer is available to take pet pictures. It sells the Merrick dog food line, which contains all-natural organic meat, vegetables and fruit. Upscale accessories for dogs such as cashmere sweaters and unique dog bowls are also available.

Owner's Education/ Background:

Sherry has over 24 years of retail experience, which include four years as a seasonal retail store manager and four years as the manager of the Yankee Candle Store at Jefferson Pointe. She also managed a Hallmark Store and owned a mobile ice cream business, which worked with local auctioneers in the 90s serving food at auctions.

Competitive Advantage:

After researching healthy foods for dogs, Sherry created recipes that customers can feel good about giving to their pets. She does not use preservatives or artificial flavors. Her treats contain only high-quality ingredients such as fresh buffalo, safflower oil that is rich in Vitamin E, natural vanilla and fresh fruits and vegetables.

First-Year Goal:

To get the word out about her healthy, highquality dog treats and to introduce treats for the summer months.

Five-Year Goal:

To have a second store and to find a manufacturer to produce her treats under controlled conditions so that more dogs can enjoy them.