Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Breann Shook. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea.

The catalyst for Grandma Lucy’s Pet Food and Treats came 25 years ago from my picky English Cocker Spaniel named Lucy. When Lucy’s appetite waned, my husband Eric and I embarked on a quest for suitable treats. Our search revealed a startling truth about the pet food industry – many products contained subpar ingredients. This discovery led us to create wholesome homemade meals and treats for Lucy, which she devoured enthusiastically.

Inspired by Lucy’s positive response, we saw an opportunity to fill a gap in the market. While still in college, we began developing our business plan. Our days were filled with academic pursuits and customer outreach, while nights were dedicated to product creation – often enlisting friends to help hand-roll our meatball dog treats in exchange for pizza and beer.

The early days were challenging but formative. I handled marketing and order processing, while Eric traversed California, pitching our products to pet stores. Weekends were always booked with Famers Markets and events. It was a lot of work, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Our hands-on approach allowed us to learn the industry from the ground up and really understand what Pet Parents wanted.

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?

I’m Breann Shook Owner & Founder of Grandma Lucy’s.

My entrepreneurial spirit was evident from an early age. While other children played with dolls, I was busy “running” my own imaginary company, complete with a borrowed briefcase and homemade business cards. I’m both humbled and proud that this childhood passion for business has blossomed into a thriving pet food company.

At Grandma Lucy’s, we specialize in ultra-premium freeze-dried pet food. We are a family owned and operated company that cares. Our commitment to care extends to every aspect of our business – we care about pets, nutrition, ingredients, giving back, and doing everything right.

What sets us apart is our unwavering dedication to putting pets first in all we do. Eric and I started as concerned pet parents looking for the best for Lucy. Our experience as pet parents drives our goal to create healthy recipes that ensure long, vibrant lives for pets. We design our recipes with pets’ needs at the forefront, creating food solutions that people and their pets love and trust.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Our initial success came with valuable lessons. When expanding from treats to complete pet foods in 2007, we faced pricing challenges as we shifted to a distributor model. I now advise new entrepreneurs to consider their long-term distribution goals when setting initial prices, emphasizing the importance of building in necessary margins from the start.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

As we celebrate 25 years as a Family Owned and Operated company, I attribute much of Grandma Lucy’s success to our unwavering passion and persistence. By identifying a market void and creating products that didn’t previously exist, we not only launched a brand but pioneered a new category in pet nutrition. This commitment to quality and innovation has driven our growth, leading to a remarkable milestone.

Our Grandma Lucy’s story exemplifies the power of turning a personal solution into a successful business venture. It underscores the importance of thorough market research, adaptability, and maintaining enthusiasm throughout the entrepreneurial journey. As our experience shows, with dedication and the right approach, it’s possible to transform a simple idea into a thriving enterprise that positively impacts both pets and their parents.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.grandmalucys.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grandmalucys/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grandmalucys
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grandma-lucy’s/

Image Credits
Breann and Eric Shook – Grandma Lucy’s