Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexandra Dickson.
Hi Alexandra, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My name is Alexandra Dickson, and I am the owner and sole baker for Three Wise Dogs Pet Treats. I am originally from Vermont, and spent five years in Colorado before moving to Florida in 2019. My treat making journey started by making dog treats as part of my Animal Science class in vocational school. As class treasurer, I was tasked with creating unique ways to raise money for extra school supplies, and most importantly, our senior class trip. Making dog treats seemed like the perfect way to do that. After my high school graduation in 2011, I went a different direction with my education, and got my degree in Culinary Arts from the New England Culinary Institute in Montpelier, Vermont. After graduating, I worked as a chef for the next six years in Colorado. When the opportunity came for my husband and I to move to Florida, we packed our bags and hit the road. It was when businesses started to re-open after the pandemic that I made the exciting decision to start selling my handcrafted pet treats instead of finding another chef position. Three Wise Dogs Pet Treats was created and officially open for business in February, 2022. The motto of TWD is “Happy, Healthy Pets: One Treat at a Time”. My variety of handcrafted cat, dog and horse treats can be purchased through my online shop, ETSY, Green Gaits Forage and Feed Store (Ocala, FL) and Bethany’s Bakery (Cockeysville, MD). I also frequent farmers and makers markets all around central Florida.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of the major obstacles I have faced since opening my business is marketing. In the age we live in today, the main avenue for marketing is of course social media. Although free, it is still difficult for me. I am very confident in the baking process, and of course the likeability of my pet treats but the process of making the social media posts can be challenging. I am by no means a social media influencer. With no background in marketing, it can be difficult to create consistently likeable and aesthetically pleasing social media posts. Not only do they have to stand out and be memorable, but they need to be made on an almost daily basis to continue to reach crowds. Doing this on top of baking and distributing my product, is definitely a challenge that I am consistently getting better at.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
One of the qualities that makes my treats special is the lack of unnecessary ingredients, fillers and preservatives. My treats are made with a very limited list of ingredients, each with a purpose. The way I bake my treats gives them a long shelf life, without the need for refrigeration. Not only are my treats animal friendly, but they are of human quality. Even the shape of my treats are purposefully created for each recipe. Before any of my recipes hit the market, they are of course taste tested by my personal crew of dogs and cats. When it comes to my horse treats, I also have a large crew of local horses that give the thumbs up. Even if your pet has dietary restrictions, I have options for them as well. This attention to detail is what my customers have come to expect, and also why they keep coming back. For that, I am proud and abundantly grateful.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
When I was first starting my small business, I didn’t necessarily expect all of the support I would get from my family, and those closest to me in Florida. More specifically, without the unwavering support of my mother Aimee, and my husband Scott, I don’t know if I would be at the place I am today with my business. I am constantly asking for their opinion and they happily give it to me. On top of that, my husband is not only my emotional support system, he is my delivery driver, market prep helper and even my editor. Outside of my family, I have created a great relationship with Green Gaits Forage and Feed Store. They are a local horse feed store here in Ocala, and they have believed in me from the beginning. They sell all of my pet treats in their store, and continue to push TWD Pet Treats to new heights.
Pricing:
- Cat Treats: $5
- Dog Treats: $7 – $12
- Horse Treats: $21.75 – $49.06
Contact Info:
- Website: https://threewisedogs.square.site
- Instagram: @ThreeWiseDogsfl
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/ThreeWiseDogsfl
- Other: www.threewisedogs.etsy.com
