National Entrepreneur Day - 11.15.2022
I started Ava’s Pet Palace when I was just eight years old and had the idea when I was six! I’ve always loved animals and have had such a great passion for wanting to learn more about them and do what I could to help them.
Throughout the years we’ve definitely grown with Ava’s Pet Palace and have hit many milestones and amazing accomplishments that I would have never dreamed of when I was 8 years old first starting a business.
Trying out recipes in 2016
I’m so grateful and blessed to have been presented with the opportunities I have been with Ava’s Pet Palace, and I appreciate everyone who has supported me throughout the growth of my business. I’m so thankful for my family, especially my mom who works for my business full time, for supporting my dreams as a young entrepreneur.
These past few years have been a crazy adventure with many highs and lows, as there are in every business, but through it all we adjusted and kept pushing!!
A lot has happened so far this year and I am excited to share it with you!
My treats went from being in 17 stores to over 130 stores and counting! When I started my business I dreamt of being in 5 stores and now that this is all happening I couldn’t be more excited. And for a limited time this summer, my treats were in over 1,000 PetSmart stores, wow!! What an amazing experience. Being in one of the biggest chains of pet supplies was a dream come true. We were able to get a lot of exposure from this experience and I’m glad that it was something we were able to do.
At the 2022 Global Pet Expo this past March we met BSM Partners. They are industry leaders in consulting, research and just overall awesome people and have been instrumental in my continued growth. Not only have they supported my business growth, but my personal growth as well. They have helped us with so many different aspects of business and I’m incredibly grateful for all of the support and help they’re provided to us these past few months. I was recently named the first participant in their Young Entrepreneur Mentorship program, which was a huge surprise and very exciting.
Ava with BSM Partners: (left to right) Frank Niles, Ph.D. - Principal, Lee Ann Hagerty - Director, Customer Enrichment & Consumer Insights, Nate Thomas - Co-Founder & Partner.
“Having already accomplished so much at such a young age, Ava is the perfect first mentee to kickstart our Young Entrepreneur Mentorship program,” said Frank Niles, Ph.D., principal of business transformation practice and startup services group lead at BSM Partners. “Our startup services team has been thrilled to be guiding and assisting Ava through her company's growth, and we look forward to helping other young entrepreneurs break into and flourish in the industry.”
This year I’ve done so many different engagements like news articles, podcasts, and zoom interviews and have even been on the cover of three magazine! I really enjoy speaking and telling others about my journey in hopes that it can inspire others. Throughout the years I’ve built my confidence and learned to become a better speaker. I’m very proud of myself for stepping out of my comfort zone and doing those things, because I used to be very shy.
November/December cover of Pet Candy Magazine
Again, I thank each and every one of you for the support you’ve show me and my business. I’m looking forward to the new year and to continue growing Ava’s Pet Palace and to keep reaching for my goals!
I’ll see you guys next time and happy holidays!!
Ava💛