We recently connected with Heidi Markle and have shared our conversation below.

Heidi, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Going back to the beginning – how did you come up with the idea in the first place?

A couple of years ago, I was scrolling when I saw a post about a workshop where people made charcuterie-style snack boards… for dogs. It stopped me in my tracks. It was clever, playful, a little over-the-top—in the best way. I immediately thought, That is such a fun idea. I would absolutely go to that.

And then came the second thought: Why isn’t this in Kansas City?

At the time, I was already deeply rooted in the KC community. I work in events professionally, I genuinely love to cook (my creative outlet lives over at @the_girl_can_cook), and I am unapologetically obsessed with dogs. My world already revolved around experiences, food, and community connection. This workshop idea felt like it was sitting right at the intersection of all three.

Almost jokingly—but not really—I reached out to my friend at Bar K Dog Bar and said, “Have you ever seen this?

Someone should do this here.”

His response was immediate: “You should do it.”

That thought truly hadn’t crossed my mind. I was thinking like a consumer, not a creator. But once he said it, I couldn’t un-hear it. The more I sat with it, the more it made sense. I already knew how to design and execute events. I already understood audience experience, pricing, logistics, promotion, and flow. I already had relationships and credibility in the community. And I already had the passion.

Logically, it wasn’t a wild leap—it was a smart one.
• There was a built-in audience: dog lovers in Kansas City are passionate and enthusiastic.
• The venue was a perfect cultural fit.
• The concept was novel enough to be memorable but simple enough to execute well.
• And most importantly, it created an experience—not just a product.

Emotionally, it felt energizing. It wasn’t about launching a massive company or taking a huge financial risk. It was about testing an idea that felt joyful. It combined creativity, hospitality, and community-building—the parts of my work that light me up.

So in November 2023, I held the first BarKCuterie workshop at Bar K. I didn’t know exactly what to expect, but I knew the experience would be thoughtful and polished. And when people showed up—laughing, building boards, taking photos, spoiling their pups—it confirmed what I had hoped: this wasn’t just a cute idea. It was connection.

From there, I hosted them quarterly at Bar K until, sadly, it closed last summer. Each workshop reinforced the same truth: people crave creative, shared experiences. They want to gather. They want to do something a little unexpected. They want to celebrate the things they love—especially their dogs.

BarKCuterie started as a fun idea and became proof that when passion, skill set, and community demand intersect, there’s real opportunity.

Heidi, 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?

What started as a hobby quickly became a true passion. I’ve always loved dogs and cooking, but once I began researching homemade dog treats and canine food safety, I went down a rabbit hole—in the best way. I was fascinated to learn that dogs can safely enjoy far more than just kibble and peanut butter. Many fruits, vegetables, and proteins aren’t just safe—they’re beneficial. That discovery shifted everything for me.

I believe dogs deserve the same thoughtfulness and variety we give ourselves. That’s why every BarKCuterie Board or Box features human-grade ingredients and an intentional mix of textures and flavors. My philosophy is simple: #DogsDeserveVariety.

My journey into this niche blends creativity and professional experience. As an event planner by trade, I understand how to design experiences that feel polished, welcoming, and memorable. I initially focused on participatory public workshops, many hosted at Bar K, where guests built custom snack boards for their pups. Watching participants light up with pride as they created something special for their furry best friend is incredibly rewarding. I love designing each workshop’s inspiration board and seeing how differently everyone interprets it.

Today, I still offer workshops—primarily for private groups and special events—but I’ve expanded into curated holiday treat boxes and themed BarKCuterie Boards. My services combine education, creativity, and convenience. I solve the “what do I give my dog that’s safe, special, and not generic?” problem. I also create unique, experience-based offerings for dog lovers who want something beyond the typical products.

What I’m most proud of is building something that brings joy—to both dogs and their humans. At its core, my brand is about celebrating that bond in a creative, elevated way. I want followers to know that when they support my work, they’re choosing carefully sourced ingredients, intentional design, and someone who truly believes our dogs deserve the very best.

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

One of my biggest pivots came when Bar K Dog Bar closed last summer.

For nearly two years, BarKCuterie workshops had found their rhythm there. I hosted them quarterly, built a loyal following, refined the format, and truly felt like I had found the perfect home for the concept. The venue, the audience, the energy—it all aligned. When you build something in partnership with a space like that, you start to think it’s permanent.

When it closed, I had a moment of real uncertainty. BarKCuterie had been built around participatory, in-person public workshops in that specific environment. I had to ask myself: Was the concept successful because of the venue… or because of the idea itself?

After the initial disappointment, I shifted I realized that while the location was important, it was the creativity, the quality ingredients, and the joy people felt making something special for their dogs. So I adjusted.

I moved away from relying on recurring public workshops and began focusing more on private events and specialty experiences. I expanded curated holiday treat boxes, grazing tables, and themed BarKCuterie Boards—products that didn’t depend on a single venue. Instead of building around one partner, I built around flexibility and seasonality.

That pivot taught me something important: if your brand is rooted in purpose rather than place, you can adapt. It reinforced that what I’m really offering isn’t just a workshop—it’s a creative, elevated way to celebrate the bond between people and their dogs.

Looking back, the closure felt like a setback in the moment. But it forced me to diversify and think more strategically.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding part of being a creative is seeing the joy and connection that comes from experiences I help bring to life. With BarKCuterie, it’s not just about making a pretty dog snack board—it’s about watching someone light up as they create something special for their furry best friend. That mix of pride, laughter, and shared excitement is incredibly satisfying.

I also love the freedom to experiment, to blend my passions—dogs, cooking, events—into something uniquely mine. Every project or workshop is a little puzzle: how can I make it fun, meaningful, and memorable? That process of designing, testing, and seeing it resonate with people is endlessly fulfilling.

At its core, being a creative lets me celebrate connection—between people and their pets, between friends and family, and between ideas and reality. That sense of impact, however small or playful, is what keeps me inspired every day.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barkcuteriekc/
• Facebook: Barkcuterie KC, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554003031131&ref=NONE_xav_ig_profile_page_web#