We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Christopher Perkins. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Christopher below.
Christopher, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
It all started on a particularly challenging afternoon when my wife was trying to groom our poodle, Olive. She’s a ball of energy, and every grooming session felt like a battle of wills. The brushes were clunky, the shampoos were heavily fragranced and irritated her skin, and don’t get me started on the detangling sprays that left her fur sticky instead of silky. After an exhausting session, I sat back and thought, “Why is this so hard? Shouldn’t grooming be as enjoyable for her as it is for me?”
That’s when the idea for The Funky Poodle was born.
The Aha Moment
Olive is more than just a pet; she’s family. Like any pet owner, I wanted her to look and feel her best, but I didn’t want to compromise on comfort, quality, or safety. I began to wonder: Why isn’t there a line of grooming products that truly caters to the needs of pets and their owners, combining effective care with a little fun and flair?
I took a step back and examined the options on the market. Most products were either mass-produced, full of harsh chemicals, or lacked personality altogether. Grooming Olive should have been a bonding experience, not a chore. I realized that other pet owners must feel the same way. Grooming isn’t just about keeping pets clean; it’s about showing love and care in every touch.
Creating a Solution
From that moment on, since my wife is a groomer, I was on a mission to create grooming products that checked every box:
Safe and Natural: I envisioned shampoos and conditioners made with gentle, natural ingredients that wouldn’t irritate sensitive skin or fur.
Effective: Tools and sprays that worked—really worked—to detangle, clean, and pamper without causing frustration for pets or owners.
Stylish and Fun: Why should grooming products be boring? Bright, cheerful packaging and fresh scents could transform the mundane into something to look forward to.
I imagined Olive’s playful spirit embodied in the products. From shampoo infused with calming lavender to brushes designed with ergonomic handles, everything would reflect joy, care, and a touch of whimsy.
The Logic Behind the Leap
The more I researched, the more convinced I became. Here’s what stood out:
Pet Care Boom: Pet owners are investing more than ever in their furry friends, and grooming is a key part of that.
Lack of Personalization: Few products catered to the emotional connection between pets and owners. Grooming is personal, and the products should reflect that.
Eco-Consciousness: Owners care about the environment, too. Biodegradable packaging and sustainably sourced ingredients would resonate with modern pet parents.
Why This Got Me Excited
It wasn’t just about solving a problem; it was about creating a whole experience. I imagined a world where grooming wasn’t a chore but a celebration. Picture this: a dog’s fur gleaming after a gentle shampoo, a perfectly trimmed coat thanks to a sleek set of scissors, and a happy tail wagging after a session filled with love and care.
I knew I was onto something worthwhile because The Funky Poodle wasn’t just another brand. It was a movement. It was about celebrating the bond between pets and their owners through products that brought joy, quality, and care into every grooming session.
The Vision
Today, The Funky Poodle stands for more than grooming products. It’s about creating moments that strengthen the connection we share with our pets. From the vibrant branding to the thoughtfully crafted formulas, everything is designed to make pets and their people happy. Because at the end of the day, grooming should be more than functional—it should be fun.
And it all started with one funky little poodle who showed me that even the smallest moments of care can be transformed into something extraordinary.
Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?
It was just a few months after we launched The Funky Poodle’s line of grooming products. Sales were trickling in, mostly from friends, family, and a handful of local pet stores. But we needed something bigger—something to put us on the map. Then, out of nowhere, an opportunity landed in our inbox: an invitation to showcase our products at one of the a regional pet expos mostly aimed for reptiles.
At first, I was thrilled. This was our chance to get in front of hundreds of pet lovers and industry professionals. But there was a catch: the booth fees were steep, and our budget was razor-thin. To make matters worse, we had just enough inventory to supply local stores, let alone cater to a massive expo crowd. It felt like a gamble, and the odds were stacked against us. But something in my gut told me, This is your shot. Go big or go home.
I rallied my small team and started brainstorming. If we were going to take this risk, we had to make an unforgettable impression. A plain booth wasn’t going to cut it. Instead, we decided to turn our area into a full-blown “Funky Poodle Experience.” We envisioned vibrant, playful displays where attendees could see, touch, and smell our products—and even try them out on their pets.
To make it happen, I maxed out a credit card for extra inventory and materials. We worked late nights creating colorful signage, crafting free sample bags, and even designing a spinning wheel for giveaways. The stakes were high, but we were determined to make it work.
Walking into the expo that morning was nerve-wracking. Our booth was scrappy by comparison, but it had heart. The vibrant colors, funky music, and hands-on demos drew curious pet owners and industry insiders alike.
I remember one particular moment: a woman approached our booth with her rescue dog, Max. He had matted fur, and she was visibly stressed about finding a product gentle enough for his sensitive skin. I walked her through our natural, hypoallergenic detangling spray, offering to demonstrate it on Max right there. She hesitated but eventually said, “Let’s give it a try.”
Within minutes, Max’s fur was smoother, and the woman’s face lit up. She bought three bottles on the spot and said, “I’m telling all my friends about this.” That moment reaffirmed why we’d taken the risk.
By the end of the expo, we had didn’t sell out but collected hundreds of email addresses for our mailing list. More importantly, we secured deals with two major influencers who loved our brand’s unique energy and commitment to quality. The risk had paid off—not financially but emotionally.
The experience was exhilarating, terrifying, and ultimately rewarding. Taking that leap taught me something crucial: sometimes, when the odds are against you, it’s not just the quality of your product but the passion and creativity behind it that make the difference. It’s about connecting with people, solving their problems, and creating an experience they’ll never forget.
From that day forward, I knew The Funky Poodle was more than just a product line—it was a brand with the power to resonate deeply with pet lovers everywhere. And all it took was a little risk and a whole lot of heart.
Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?
Sometimes, life has a way of bringing the right people into your world at exactly the right time. For me, that person was Meg. I met Meg while doing an exchange for an RV. She was warm, insightful, and sharp—the kind of person who leaves a lasting impression after just one conversation.
As we finalized the trade, our discussions began to veer away from RVs and toward life, business, and ideas. I quickly realized that Meg was someone who didn’t just see opportunities; she saw *potential* and knew how to bring it to life. It wasn’t long before we became friends, sharing stories, visions, and aspirations over coffee and brainstorming sessions.
Not long after, I invited Meg to a meet-and-greet event hosted by the Chamber of Commerce in New Port Richey. The event was a vibrant mix of entrepreneurs, community leaders, and local businesses—the perfect environment to spark connections and inspiration. Meg fit right in. Her natural charisma and ability to engage with anyone in the room were immediately evident. By the end of the night, she had networked with half the room, exchanged contact information with several business leaders, and left everyone impressed with her energy and ideas.
As The Funky Poodle was growing, I knew I needed someone who could take our sales and marketing to the next level. Someone who didn’t just understand strategy but also had the heart and drive to make it happen. Meg was that person. When I asked her to join the team as our Director of Sales and Marketing, I was thrilled when she said yes. Her entrepreneurial spirit, combined with her sharp business acumen, made her the perfect fit for the role.
Meg, a proud Ohioan who’s made the sunny leap to Florida, has brought so much more than expertise to The Funky Poodle. She’s brought a fresh perspective, a passion for excellence, and a work ethic that’s hard to find these days. She loves diving into a captivating business book, always on the hunt for new strategies to captivate more market share and elevate our brand. But what truly sets her apart is the “Sweet Equity”—a rare, almost old-fashioned commitment to putting in the hard work and personal investment needed to build something extraordinary.
Working with Meg has been one of the greatest blessings of this journey. It’s rare to find someone who invests as much of their time, energy, and passion into a vision as you do. Together, we’ve built more than just a brand; we’ve built a partnership founded on trust, shared goals, and an unwavering belief in what *The Funky Poodle* can become. Every step we’ve taken has been guided by a shared vision to create something unique, meaningful, and impactful in the pet care industry.
I am blessed beyond comprehension to have Meg on this journey, and I can’t wait to see what we accomplish together. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from our story, it’s that the right people make all the difference—and Meg is absolutely one of the best.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thefunkypoodle.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/funkypoodle.shop
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550825219190
- Twitter: https://x.com/thefunkypoodle
Image Credits
Brett Raymer – Animal Planet’s “TANKED”