As we chew on our Christmas toys and savor the extra holiday treats we take a few moments to reflect on 2010 for Rosita's Ruff Cakes. Our company is fairly young in an 'official' sense. In February we launched on Rosita's 5th birthday and started attending shows and events to get our name out there.
There have been a few road blocks: hosting our grand opening, a typo in some of our materials. But there have also been some great strides: graduating from First Step Fast Trac, presenting at the Chamber Expo, media coverage and winning the TK Business Magazine Evolve contest. This holiday season there were several orders and sales made, lots of birthday cakes delivered and a few new recipes tested.
Along the way we've made new friends, developed business relationships and hopefully helped a few pups out along the way. Our favorite is sharing extra treats with the Helping Hands Humane Society guests.
Lately we've been spending a lot of time at the grooming shop learning some techniques and testing our abilities. It is amazing the various dogs, cuts and styles that goes with each. Talk about an art form!
Mom also has some exciting things in the works we aren't allowed to share. Thank you for your support this year and we appreciate you trying Rosita's Ruff Cakes and helping us to start our business. As we look toward the new year we see possibilities and know that Topeka is the place to grow and support our doggie business.
Now, back to those leftover Christmas cookies :)
Monday, December 27, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Groomer's Delight
Having a pet usually requires some type of grooming. The amount depends on the breed and what the parents can do themselves. With our Chase its pretty low maintenance. We brush him, trim his nails and give him a bath at home. No problems and he gets a treat afterward. Rosita is a very different story. She is so very fluffy and runs to her kennel if I approach the basket containing her brush. Then if we do trick her into a brushable position she'll try and nip or roll on her back.
As a good mother I always warn the groomer. "You may want to muzzle her. She hates to having her nails trimmed." One groomer I must not have warned well enough, because I was lectured after Rosita nipped at her pretty good. Needless to say we didn't go back there, even though the lady said she would try it again.
Then we've tried the PetsMart route but we just didn't have good luck, and that didn't have to do with Rosita's attitude. As we found another groomer they kept telling us that Rosita was getting better and they just had to be careful around the hindquarters. She may have been improving there but was definitely not at home; whenever I could pin her down for a brushing I would get a whole dog in fur and a lot of sass.
This past week and on a couple of Saturdays I've been going in to observe and learn how to groom at Pampered Pets. I had lamented how tough Rosita was to groom, her nails were dreaded and brushing was a special skill. Well, I know that when pet parents hang around during grooming the dog usually get anxious and acts up a bit. So it is better if they leave while the professionals go to work. But I wanted to learn and no one better to practice on than my own spoiled pet. As soon as I put Rosita on the grooming table we went to town brushing with nothing but a big smile from her. Granted, I had to hold her tight while we clipped the nails but it was miraculous. No blood shed, all appendages in tact and she was still wagging her tail.
The moral of this story is leave grooming to the professionals and don't forget to tip your doggie stylist this holiday season.
As a good mother I always warn the groomer. "You may want to muzzle her. She hates to having her nails trimmed." One groomer I must not have warned well enough, because I was lectured after Rosita nipped at her pretty good. Needless to say we didn't go back there, even though the lady said she would try it again.
Then we've tried the PetsMart route but we just didn't have good luck, and that didn't have to do with Rosita's attitude. As we found another groomer they kept telling us that Rosita was getting better and they just had to be careful around the hindquarters. She may have been improving there but was definitely not at home; whenever I could pin her down for a brushing I would get a whole dog in fur and a lot of sass.
This past week and on a couple of Saturdays I've been going in to observe and learn how to groom at Pampered Pets. I had lamented how tough Rosita was to groom, her nails were dreaded and brushing was a special skill. Well, I know that when pet parents hang around during grooming the dog usually get anxious and acts up a bit. So it is better if they leave while the professionals go to work. But I wanted to learn and no one better to practice on than my own spoiled pet. As soon as I put Rosita on the grooming table we went to town brushing with nothing but a big smile from her. Granted, I had to hold her tight while we clipped the nails but it was miraculous. No blood shed, all appendages in tact and she was still wagging her tail.
The moral of this story is leave grooming to the professionals and don't forget to tip your doggie stylist this holiday season.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Season's Greetings
Happy Howlidays from Rosita's Ruff Cakes! We have much to be thankful for and reflect on as 2010 draws closer to the new year.
Less than a year ago our business was just a dream in Mommy's head that sometimes we got to enjoy for birthday cakes or sharing with friends and family during the holidays. Now our kitchen is busy with baking, packaging and creating delicious treats. The basement has become a second office and supply storage as the sewing machine has been a flurry making comfy pet beds and toys. As winter is upon us Mom can't fit her car in the garage due to her supplies and trade show props for the business.
It is like working two full-time jobs as we have yet to quit our day job. It has been a great challenge, yet rewarding as we've learned more about ourselves and what we want to do 'when we grow up.' To you our loyal clients thank you for your support and growing with us. We are looking forward to all 2011 has in store and we are excited for the journey.
May Santa Paws deliver Ruff Cakes to your stocking,
Rosita, Chase & Jenny
Less than a year ago our business was just a dream in Mommy's head that sometimes we got to enjoy for birthday cakes or sharing with friends and family during the holidays. Now our kitchen is busy with baking, packaging and creating delicious treats. The basement has become a second office and supply storage as the sewing machine has been a flurry making comfy pet beds and toys. As winter is upon us Mom can't fit her car in the garage due to her supplies and trade show props for the business.
It is like working two full-time jobs as we have yet to quit our day job. It has been a great challenge, yet rewarding as we've learned more about ourselves and what we want to do 'when we grow up.' To you our loyal clients thank you for your support and growing with us. We are looking forward to all 2011 has in store and we are excited for the journey.
May Santa Paws deliver Ruff Cakes to your stocking,
Rosita, Chase & Jenny
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