#WIB – Q&A With Ceri Phillips MD Of From The Barkery
1. Can you please tell us more about your business?
A. From The Barkery is a luxury pet brand, (since 2011) that produces and designs, all things for dogs and cats. We specialise in manufacturing CBD products for our furry friends, plus, we also have a pedigree twist on all human baked treats – including personalised treats, biscuits, cakes and pup cakes. On our accessories side, there are waterproof blankets and PH balanced doggy shampoo bars. Everything we do is pure luxury, aimed especially for the furry guys in our lives!
2. When, how and why did you start your business?
A. My husband and I owned restaurants and we would always bring our two black labs, Barkley and Bentley to work with us. Quite often customers would bring their dogs with them and I decided we needed a ‘Four Paws’ menu to accommodate the furries and so the business began from that.
I wanted the treats to be healthy, wholesome, with no nasties, plus, they must have that little something extraordinary. Made from our own doggy friendly tapioca frosting, the personalisation of the doggies names or a fun thing like woof, spoilt or yum was the pizazz needed,. With popularity, we progressed into Holiday treats and gift hampers.
The business needed a name, so after much thought ‘From The Barkery’ seemed a great choice.
Our CBD range came after our beloved Bentley became sick with a very aggressive lung tumor and was given a couple of weeks to live. Not wanting to give up on him, I had heard of the benefits of cannabis oil and approached the vet about giving it to him, to make his last days more comfortable. She agreed it was a good idea and without wasting a single hour, I bought and gave him his first dose. Naturally, I was nervous about giving it to him, but I immediately saw the benefit. He had a new lease of life. After seeing this, almost miraculous result, I thought, why not make it into a biscuit. It’s a lot easier to give to the dogs and so the research and development began into our CBD biscuits and now our CBD range has grown immensely since those first few months.
3. What is your role in the business?
A. I am very hands on in the business and the general day to day running. My role includes making sure all the orders go out on time, gaining new clients, social media, accounting and above all making sure all our clients are happy.
4. Where did you study and what did you study?
A. I grew up in the UK and after school went on to study languages.
5. How did you finance your business?
A. I financed the the business myself and since then I have invested profits back in to grow the business.
6. Describe your average workday, if such a thing exists.
A. My day generally starts early in the morning with emails and social media. I look to see what orders need to go out, visit the factory and help out where needed (whilst trying not to get in the way J) I schedule meetings, prep for expo’s, make sure all the deliveries are delivered and go through accounts. It’s a long day, but when one has a passion for their work, it doesn’t feel like work.
7. How do you balance your home life and your work life?
A. With great difficulty! I am always getting into trouble for not switching off, but that’s just how I am. I love what I do and I am also constantly on the look out for new and exciting ideas. I do try and switch off in the evening, but my brain ticks along constantly.
8. What drives you and inspires you?
A. I believe it’s the love and care we put into everything we do that drives and inspires. We hand make and taste everything ourselves and ensure that what goes into our products is the best, human grade produce one can buy. I love my company and I’m very proud of what it has become. I’m most proud though to be able to help the dogs and cats feel better, have pawsome pawties and yummy treats. It really does make all the difference to me to know that people care for their animals and want the best for them. It absolutely makes my day when clients send us pictures and videos of their dogs at birthday pawties, with all their FTB goodies. When they email to say how much they love our products and service, that makes it all worth while and what drives and inspires me.
9. Where and when do you have your best ideas?
A. There’s never a particular time for inspiration. I might see something walking down the street and think, what a great idea, be out with friends or sitting at home and an idea springs into my head. Inspiration and ideas are always around and one has to just be open to it.
10. Where and how do you market/advertise your business for sales leads?
A. I invest a lot of time and effort into all our social media platforms. Any new products and ideas are floated here first. I also love it when my products are featured in magazines, that’s great to see and provides excellent exposure for From The Barkery.
11. What is next for your business?
A. I am looking into further nationwide expansion and from there, I plan to start to export overseas. We have amazing products and I would like to see them on the shelves worldwide, available for everyone, everywhere.
I like to focus on changing trends and we are forever having fun with new and exciting recipes.
12. What advice would you give to female entrepreneurs hoping to start their own business?
A. I do what I do because it makes me happy. To all the budding entrepreneurs out there, I would suggest the same. Start your business because it makes you happy. There’s no point in starting a business just because, as you will lose interest along the way. When one enjoys what they do, is passionate about what they do, it is the key for growing success. Where there’s a passion, there can be success.
To describe me in 3 words, I would say I’m an impatient, compassionate, introvert, however, when I asked Simon, he said black and white (no grey areas). I think that sums it up!
I really enjoy yoga, but need to find the time to practice more.
One thing that most people don’t know about me?
I did a course in shoe design and manufacture a few years ago, with the full intention of making high end shoes
Who or what inspired me to work within the industry and why?
Most definitely my furry guys, Barkley, Bentley and Jimmy Choo. It started off all for them and their pals.
What makes From The Barkery unique compared to other pet treat manufacturers on the market?
Aside from the love and care we put into our products, we personalize our products, use only the finest ingredients, take no short cuts and pride ourselves on having the best customer service and of course, keeping all the furry guys happy.
Contact information:
Ceri Phillips
Tel – 063 750 3917
Social Media – @fromthebarkery