[ad_1]
BLOOMINGDALE — One local student has turned his love for animals into a growing business by making homemade treats for his four-legged friends.
Kenzie Everhart, a senior at Edison High School, participated in the animal science program at the Jefferson County Joint Vocational School and formed Pleased Pooches last January. She sold her first candy set in February, and her business has been growing steadily, she said. The daughter of Bloomingdale residents Jeremy and Nikki Everhart works from her home and takes orders on her Pleased Pooches Facebook page.
“My services include homemade dog treats in a variety of flavors, including cranberry, peanut butter banana, pumpkin, and carrot, and I’m currently researching new flavors. I also make birthday cakes and donuts for dogs. .” she said. “In addition to those, we also created a natural paw balm to moisturize dry paw pads and noses.”
She said she started the business because she loves making dogs happy and because she read articles about how processed treats can harm animals.
“I create natural treats where my customers know that all ingredients, whether dried or baked, are 100% safe for dogs and made with love.” she said.
The Pleased Pooches logo was designed by a friend and features a white boxer wearing a baking hat, a nod to Everhart’s dog Nova.
Meanwhile, she enrolled in JVS’s animal science program because she had owned many animals and loved interacting with them.
“I knew from an early age that I wanted to work with them. I realized that I needed the animals as much as they needed me.” Everhart added that JVS helped expand her horizons. “JVS’s program has prepared me tremendously. I can thank (instructor Emily) Moore in many ways for helping me throughout my journey and always believing in me. She truly is the best teacher and anyone who has had the opportunity to have her as a teacher will understand what I mean. Her teaching style is amazing and I am always learning new things. She definitely brought me out of my shell and showed me that I belonged somewhere.”
Moore gave similar praise, calling Everhart an inspiration.
“Kenzie is a very hard worker both in and out of class and the lab. She is very knowledgeable about personal grooming and I often have her teach my junior and senior classes her tips. She is very ambitious At home, I asked if I could participate in the School to Work program last year as a third grader.
“At her STW placement, Ruffstic Pet Care in Wintersville, she not only honed her grooming skills, but also customer service and time management skills. She worked after school and on weekends while still continuing her studies. You are allowed to take one day off from school a week to work. Mr. Moore continued. “It’s no surprise that her ambition led her to this business that makes homemade treats and pet care products and also provides pet sitting. While working at Ruffstic, she created her own business page to showcase your grooming talents and promote your business on Facebook through a creative custom logo.
“I can’t say enough about Kenzie. She exemplifies how JVS and the animal science program can prepare ambitious young people for a lifetime of success.”
After graduation, Everhart plans to continue working as a professional dog groomer at Ruffstic Pet Care and pursue a business degree. Additionally, I would like to expand my business and open my own store. For more information or to order, visit the Pleased Pooches Facebook page.
[ad_2]
Source link