This part of “Interview with High Profile Entrepreneur” is about a rising entrepreneur of Oklahoma named Erica Becker who started Must Heart Dogs as an online store that sells various kinds of dog foods.
Please introduce yourself broadly to our audience?
My name is Erica Becker and I own/started Must Heart Dogs which is a homemade dog treat company making healthy treats with ingredients you can pronounce.
Based on your valuable experience, what are the key elements of running a successful business?
I feel like one key element to run a successful business is the drive to do whatever it takes to make your product and business successful. And choosing a product that you believe and love and stand behind a thousand percent. That effort and love shows through your product itself and to your customers.
How to overcome failure based on your experience?
Basic marketing and sales skills are definitely a help to promote and build any business. If you can’t build a customer base, then the other business aspects such as finance or creativity when expanding into new products doesn’t really matter.
What’s your vision for your company in the future?
I would love to see more “shop local” stores throughout Oklahoma. Not everyone can afford to open their own brick and mortar. I know I can’t yet. But being able to sell in a couple different brick and mortar stores on consignment has been a huge way to build my brand and expand my client base. It’s also more convenient to customers wanting to get various local items all at one place.
What would be your suggestion for the people who are aspiring to become like you in the future?
My advice would be to start small and be realistic. I know I started this as a hobby to earn extra money while doing something I loved (baking for my dogs). It has grown more than I ever could have imagined, but I still work full time at the moment until I can realistically make it a full time business. Surrounding yourself with supportive people who push you to do better and who try to help you succeed is another must have when starting a new business.
