Edit to add: It can be such an isolating experience. We had no clue what we were doing half the time. Hard to find anyone willing to talk that had been through it.
The problem with growing, is that the more you grow, the more attention you'll attract from established big players, who will eventually jump into your game and likely destroy you.
It seems to me that running a small business can never really be a sustainable, long term venture, unless you get very lucky with a niche that no one else notices. You either have to plan to eventually be destroyed, or grow into a giant.
>You either have to plan to eventually be destroyed
I suspect letting go is difficult for a lot of people.
My reasons for going for it are 1) parents are aging and I want to help them with retirement 2) ride the wave b/c you never know when it will stop and 3) yolo.
My reasons for not doing it are 1) it's a bunch of extra stress and work I don't want to do. Lol.
Finally, post a job opening (or 2) of the don’ts and delegate:)
I had pretty close to zero expertise. I was an enterprise software PM, so things like setting up Shopify and finding a contract designer were in my wheelhouse, but everything involved with actual, physical goods has been new to me. Manufacturing, shipping, inventory management, fulfillment - been figuring it out from scratch. Largely going well, but definitely some hiccups along the way!
On the frozen treat front, the biggest one is a Purina product called Frosty Paws, and I think my stuff is an easy sell against that for a few reasons. First, it's made with all sorts of unpronounceable ingredients, where my stuff is made with whole, high-quality ingredients (freeze dried meat, egg powder, whole wheat flour, etc.). Their form factor is also bigger - it basically comes in a cardboard cup that you'd get a scoop of ice cream in, which is big for a dog, compared to my bite-sized treats. Theirs is more of a birthday treat, where mine can be given regularly.