We recently connected with Aisha Byrd and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Aisha, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

R&B Dog Bakery was born out of love — pure, unconditional love for my two dogs, Reese and Benjamin. The idea didn’t start as a business plan or a dream of entrepreneurship; it started with a birthday cake.

When Benjamin turned one, I was so excited to celebrate him the same way any proud dog mom would. I went out and bought him a beautiful cake — something special to mark the occasion. But the next day, that celebration turned into one of the scariest moments of my life. Benjamin became violently ill, and I rushed him to the emergency vet. That’s when I found out he had pancreatitis and severe food allergies, triggered by a cake that was full of sugar and unhealthy fats. I remember feeling devastated and guilty — I had given him something that was supposed to bring joy, but instead it caused him pain.

That moment changed everything for me. I realized how little transparency there was in pet treats and how few healthy, human-grade options existed — especially ones that felt celebratory and special. So I started researching everything I could about dog nutrition, ingredients, and safe, holistic foods. I spent countless late nights in my kitchen experimenting, baking, and learning. By Benjamin’s second birthday, I had created my own cake — one that was safe, healthy, and made with love.

From there, I started sharing treats with family and friends who had dogs. The feedback was amazing — they couldn’t believe how much their pups loved the treats, and more importantly, how good they were for them. I realized this wasn’t just my problem; it was something that countless pet parents faced. That’s when I knew this idea was worth pursuing.

In 2018, R&B Dog Bakery officially launched — named after my two furbabies, Reese and Benjamin. I started small, with just four treat flavors and one cupcake variety, selling at local craft fairs and farmers markets. What got me most excited wasn’t just seeing dogs wag their tails after tasting my treats — it was watching how those moments brought people together. Families, kids, and pet lovers were connecting over something wholesome, joyful, and meaningful.

In 2021 we opened our first retail location in Arlington, Texas. What made our approach unique was that I wasn’t just baking — I was solving a real problem. There were plenty of treats on the market, but few that focused on both nutrition and celebration — products that could keep dogs healthy while making them feel loved. That’s where R&B Dog Bakery stood out.

From those early days at farmers markets to now being featured on Walmart Marketplace, in Pixee Paws Pet Palace, Lucky Pup Grooming, and BLAPP the App, ShopDot Pet, Brick City Pets in NJ and Favor Delivery app. This journey has been fueled by purpose. Every recipe, every product, and every milestone goes back to that emotional moment with Benjamin — and the promise I made to him to do better for all pets.

Aisha, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Aisha Byrd, and I’m the Founder and CEO of R&B Dog Bakery, an all-natural dog treat company inspired by my two beloved furbabies, Reese and Benjamin. My journey into the pet industry started from a deeply personal experience — one that began with love and turned into a mission. When I celebrated Benjamin’s first birthday, I bought him a cake to make the day special, but what followed changed my life. The next day, Benjamin became very sick, and we discovered he had pancreatitis caused by the high-fat, sugary cake I had given him. That moment opened my eyes to how limited healthy, safe, and truly nourishing pet treat options were on the market.

Determined to create better alternatives, I began researching human-grade ingredients and formulating treats that were both delicious and nutritious. By Benjamin’s second birthday, I had created his first homemade cake and a few treat recipes that would later become the foundation of R&B Dog Bakery, officially launched in 2018. What started as a small passion project at local craft fairs and farmers markets has now grown into a brand with over 30 SKUs, featuring items like Dog Cakes, Cupcakes, Donuts, Macarons, Food Toppers, and Training Treats. Each product is handcrafted using limited, all-natural ingredients designed to promote wellness, combat obesity, and extend longevity in dogs.

What truly sets us apart is that R&B Dog Bakery isn’t just a business — it’s a community-driven brand rooted in purpose, sustainability, and compassion. We take pride in offering custom dog pastries that help families celebrate their pets’ milestones — from birthdays to gotcha days and everything in between. Beyond the treats, we’re proud to be People & Planet First Certified and Go Texan Certified, reflecting our ongoing commitment to sustainability through eco-friendly packaging and a zero-waste initiative.

In 2024, I expanded our impact by founding Paws 4 A Cause Pet Food Pantry, a nonprofit organization that provides pet food and supplies to families in need. R&B Dog Bakery donates 2% of its profits to help sustain this mission — because community care is at the heart of what we do.

What I’m most proud of is how far we’ve come — from our humble beginnings at local markets to being featured on Walmart Marketplace, Pixee Paws Pet Palace, Lucky Pup Grooming, BLAPP the App and Brick City Pets. I was also honored to speak at my first conference, Sustainable Brands 2025 in San Diego, representing small businesses and discussing the power of social procurement in building sustainable supply chains. In addition, I’m a proud alumna of the Watson Institute, where I completed the Walmart Retail Readiness Entrepreneurship Training Program, and a Semi-Finalist for the Alibaba 2025 Pitch Competition.

At the end of the day, R&B Dog Bakery is more than just a bakery — it’s a movement built on love, resilience, and purpose. We exist to make a difference in the lives of pets, their families, and the communities that support them.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

At R&B Dog Bakery, building lasting relationships with our customers is just as important as creating high-quality treats. We see every client — and their pup — as part of our extended family, so staying connected and creating meaningful experiences is at the heart of what we do.

We keep in touch with our customers through social media engagement, email newsletters, and in-store experiences that make them feel like part of our community. Whether it’s sharing behind-the-scenes looks at our baking process, spotlighting pups that meet us at local markets or sending exclusive offers through our newsletter, we focus on keeping our communication warm, genuine, and personal.

We also build loyalty by creating products that reflect care, quality, and consistency. Many of our customers come to us for their dogs’ birthdays or special occasions, and we take pride in making those celebrations memorable with custom cakes and pastries. Beyond our products, our commitment to giving back — through initiatives like donating 2% of profits to Paws 4 A Cause Pet Food Pantry — helps customers see that every purchase has purpose.

Our goal isn’t just to sell treats — it’s to build trust, create joy, and cultivate community. That’s what keeps our customers coming back and referring others who believe in what we stand for: love, quality, and impact.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I believe our reputation has been built on authenticity, consistency, and community connection. From day one, R&B Dog Bakery has stayed true to our mission of providing all-natural, nutrient-rich treats made with simple, wholesome ingredients that pet parents can trust. Every product — from our cakes and macarons to our training treats — is crafted with care and purpose.

What truly set us apart is our personal connection with customers and the love we pour into every detail. We started at local farmers markets, where we built relationships one treat at a time, listening to our customers’ stories and their dogs’ needs. That foundation of trust and transparency helped us grow into retail and online markets without losing that personal touch.

Our reputation has also been strengthened by our commitment to community impact. By giving back 2% of our profits to, Paws 4 A Cause Pet Food Pantry, we’ve been able to give back and support families in need — something our customers deeply value. By combining quality, compassion, and purpose, we’ve built more than a brand — we’ve built a loyal community that believes in what we do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://rbdogbakery.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rbdogbakery
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rbdogbakery
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aisha-byrd
• Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@rbdogbakery9076
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/r-and-b-dog-bakery-arlington