We were lucky to catch up with Air Gustafson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Air, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.

When it comes to the pet industry, I firmly believe in the power of prevention as a long-term and sustainable solution. It’s fantastic to have products and services that address immediate needs, but wouldn’t it be even better if we could avoid those problems altogether? That’s exactly how I approach my work and how my brand stands out from the industry standard.

I believe in making prevention a second nature for both humans and their furry friends. It’s not just about keeping ourselves physically healthy; it’s about nurturing our mental and emotional well-being too. And that applies to our pets as well! After all, they are an integral part of our lives and deserve the same level of care and attention.

So, how do I put this philosophy into action? Well, instead of solely focusing on reactive solutions, my brand, Morty’s Bark & Brew and Meatspace Mobile App is all about proactive measures and education. As a brand, we strive to empower pet parents with knowledge and tools that help them create a harmonious and healthy environment for their beloved animals.

For example, we encourage pet parents to consider their dog’s health as a whole from their diet to daily routine. We offer guidance on nutrition, help them understand the importance of regular exercise and mental stimulation to prevent behavioral issues and provide resources on creating a safe and enriched living environment for pets, promoting their overall well-being.

But it’s not all serious business! We also like to have some fun along the way. We believe that learning should be an enjoyable experience, so we incorporate interactive elements into our educational materials (with Meatspace Mobile App launching soon.)

The story that truly highlights the significance of prevention revolves around my very own bossy dog, Miss Morty. At the age of 4, she fell ill. I was scared, angry, and desperate for her to be healthy again. I promised her the best care possible, then broke that promise. So, I’ve set out on the quest to find a clear path to bring Morty back to her spunky self again.

Fortunately, through my relentless pursuit, I managed to uncover the right approach and solution to heal her. Reflecting on this journey, I realize that I must have stumbled upon something valuable along the way because now, at 12.5 years old, Morty still struts around with pep in her step, oozing with life and that unmistakable bossy attitude of hers. Man, am I relieved!

But seriously, if things had turned out differently, I don’t even want to imagine the pain Morty would have gone through. It would have been heart-wrenching. Looking back, I can’t help but kick myself, thinking, “If only I knew then what I know now, Morty wouldn’t have suffered like she did.” I could have saved her from all that! I could have prevented it all by being proactive instead of scrambling to fix things when they went wrong. It’s a heavy weight on my conscience.

That experience with Morty taught me a powerful lesson about the importance of prevention. It’s not just about reacting to problems as they pop up; it’s about taking steps to avoid those problems in the first place. And let me tell you, it’s a lesson I won’t forget. Morty’s story fuels my passion for spreading the word about preventive measures in the pet world. We can make a real difference by staying ahead of the game and keeping our furry buddies happy and healthy for the long haul.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Alright, let me share my story with you! It all started back in 2012 when I stumbled upon this amazing pet-friendly place called “Lucky Dog Bark & Brew” in North Carolina. I instantly fell head over paws in love with the concept. Picture this: dogs running free while their humans enjoy their favorite drinks. It was a dream come true! But at that time, it was nothing more than a wild daydream because I had no clue how to start a business, let alone gather the courage to leave my comfy corporate life behind.

But you know what? That dream of having my very own “bark & brew” kept simmering on the back burner of my mind. I couldn’t help but imagine what kind of place it would be and what special flavor and secret sauce I could bring to the table. It was so much fun to let my imagination run wild, but I had no idea how I’d turn it into a reality.

Fast forward to 2015, when Morty, my beloved pup, fell ill. I went on a wild goose chase, searching high and low for the right approach to nurse her back to health. The first vet visit didn’t quite hit the mark, and the second vet suggested the same approach, which just didn’t feel right. But the third vet, now that was a game-changer! She delved deep into Morty’s food, lifestyle, and more, rather than just handing out quick fixes. With honesty and compassion, she guided me on a clear path to bring Morty back to health again. And that’s when it hit me like a lightning bolt—education was my secret ingredient! It might sound heavy and serious, but trust me, it can be a blast.

Fast forward again to 2020, the year I finally mustered up the guts to say goodbye to the corporate hamster wheel and officially formed “Morty’s Bark & Brew.” From that point on, I’ve been working my tail off to bring this vision to life. So, what exactly is Morty’s Bark & Brew? It’s a place filled to the brim with fun, engagement, and pure joy. Imagine an indoor and outdoor dog park that just happens to serve food and adult beverages. We’re not just your regular hangout spot—we’re dedicated to providing an experience where safety and enjoyment go paw-in-paw. And you know how we do that? By educating everyone involved.

But here’s the thing: the more I pondered the educational aspect of Morty’s, the more I realized it was too big of a concept to squeeze into one business plan. So, I had a lightbulb moment (again) and created another business entity called “Meatspace Canine Company.” This is where the magic happens. Meatspace is a mobile app that supports the educational side of things and brings together like-minded folks who share Morty’s mission of promoting the well-being of dogs and humans.

Now, some people might scratch their heads at the name “Meatspace” and find it a bit odd or off-putting. But hold your woofs, let me explain. “Meatspace” is a slang term that celebrates those real-world connections we share, away from the virtual realm of cyberspace. It’s all about embracing those nose-to-nose interactions and paws-on experiences that make life extraordinary. And guess what? It’s the perfect fit for our comprehensive dog care platform, Emphasizing Real-World Connection. Because your dog’s health is our unleashed passion!

Sure, technology has its perks and makes our lives easier, but we believe that hands-on care is essential for building a strong bond with your furry friend. And let me tell you, dog care can be a heck of a lot of fun too! So, forget about the name you won’t forget.

Now, we are in Minneapolis, MN and we’re still on the hunt for the absolute pawfect location to bring Morty’s Bark & Brew to life. You know, finding that spot where dogs can run wild and humans can kick back with their favorite drinks. It’s like searching for buried bones, but we’re determined to sniff out the perfect spot!

In the meantime, though, we’ve been hard at work crafting something truly special for all you canine enthusiasts out there. We’re building the MVP (that’s Minimum Viable Product for the non-tech-savvy folks) for Meatspace Canine Company.

So, stay tuned, folks! We’re on a mission to create a dog-loving community like no other. With Morty’s Bark & Brew on the horizon and Meatspace ready to unleash its paw-some MVP, we can’t wait to embark on this wild and wag-tastic adventure with you. Get ready for tail-wagging fun, meaningful connections, and a whole lot of doggy love. Your furry friend’s happiness is our ultimate goal, and we’re excited to take you along for the ride!

Here’s how to can get in touch with us.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/airgustafson63/
Morty’s Bark & Brew: https://www.mortysbarkbrew.com/
Meatspace: https://brand.page/meatspacedog
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mortysbarkbrew/

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Let me tell you about this one hurdle that really tested my determination. It was like a plot twist in a cheesy movie. In April 2022, I get hit with the news that the dream location I had my heart set on for Morty’s Bark & Brew slipped through my paws. Can you imagine the disappointment? I had already designed the place in my mind, with dogs frolicking and humans clinking their glasses. But bam! Dreams shattered, just like that.

Now, at that moment, I could have thrown in the towel and sulked like a sad pup. But, just like Miss Morty, I’ve got spunk and resilience in my bones. I took a deep breath, dusted myself off, and declared, “Challenge accepted!” I mean, come on, setbacks are just spicy twists in our grand adventure, right?

So there I was, on a wild goose chase (…again) for the perfect alternative. Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months. I scoured every nook and cranny, pestered real estate agents like a persistent pup, and checked out potential locations like a detective on a mission. It was like a never-ending treasure hunt, with each door closing right in my face. Talk about testing my patience!

But here’s the thing: I wasn’t about to give up on Morty’s vision and the amazing community I wanted to create. No sir! I kept going, fueled by sheer determination and maybe a little too much caffeine. I mean, who needs sleep when there are dreams to chase, right?

And you know what? This setback taught me something important. Resilience isn’t just about bouncing back; it’s about embracing those challenges like a boss and using them as stepping stones to grow. I held onto my vision like a dog with a favorite chew toy, never losing sight of my ultimate goal. Failure was not an option. Well, maybe a brief option, but then I shook it off and got back in the game.

Now, as I navigate the wild and ever-changing pet industry, I carry this resilience with me like a secret weapon. Every obstacle I face only fuels my determination to make a lasting impact on the lives of our furry friends and their humans.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

It’s about the moment when I made a super intentional pivot and created Meatspace to support Morty’s Bark & Brew. It was like a lightbulb moment that made me go, “Eureka, I’ve got it!” As I was brainstorming and dreaming up Morty’s, I realized that there was something missing from the equation. I mean, sure we had the indoor and outdoor dog park, the beer hall, and all the tail-wagging fun, but there was this nagging feeling that something else needed to be part of the pawty. Then, it hit me like a tennis ball to the face—education! I I know, it sounds serious and stuffy, but bear with me here. Education was the secret ingredient that would take Morty’s from being just a regular ol’ dog hangout to something truly special.

So, I hopped into action like a dog chasing its tail (minus the dizziness), and that’s when Meatspace was born. Creating Meatspace was like adding a little extra sizzle to the bacon. It became a separate entity dedicated to supporting and educating folks who shared Morty’s mission of promoting the well-being of dogs and humans. It’s like having a sidekick that helps us spread the word and make a bigger impact.

So now, with Morty’s Bark & Brew and Meatspace Canine Company working together, we’ve got the best of both worlds. We’ve got the fun and excitement of a dog park and beer hall, and we’ve got the educational platform that helps people understand their furry friends better. It’s like a match made in doggy heaven! We’re here to prove that taking care of our furry pals can be an adventure filled with wagging tails, laughter, and plenty of tail-wagging wisdom.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mortysbarkbrew.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mortysbarkbrew/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mortysbarkbrew
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/airgustafson63/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN-6kOA52uHEdJ30IrWZd6A
• Other: https://brand.page/meatspacedog

Image Credits
Air Gustafson