TDJ: How often do different laws and programs dictate trends that make you change the way you build your structures?

MM: Well, that depends, and I don’t know that there is a real rhyme or reason for these changes. One thing that’s important to remember is that even though nobody likes changes, it doesn’t take long after a change is made before we would never go back to the way things were before that change. For example, the change in laws forced us to get rid of multiple layers and focused on more space, which was great. More space for the dogs, which creates less health problems, and in the end, that makes for happier puppies going to their forever homes. I would never want to go back to those cages of the early days!

TDJ: How has Covid, and more recently, the slowing down of the economy affected your business?

MM: Obviously after Covid happened, we experienced a major increase in business, and up until about February or March of this year we were trying to catch up. Since then, our business has slowed back down probably about 60%, and it has forced us to look for other options outside of this industry. We are currently doing some marine mechanical work, fixing boats. The main purpose for that is to keep our employees busy, and to be able to supply them with a paycheck. That has opened up a lot of opportunities to connect with people outside of the industry. I feel like Covid created a bubble, and we’re suffering from that a bit. I do see hope for the future, and I would estimate that within the next year or two, we’ll start seeing increases again. 

One thing I do appreciate about the dog breeding industry is that it’s a very friendly crowd, with friendly people and friendly competition. Most industries aren’t that way, and again, that’s something I’m very grateful for in this industry. We wholesale lots of our products to other “competing” companies, but we all work together. It is really important to me to keep the communication open. Yes, we are competition, but we’re in competition together. We buy from them and they buy from us, and we all help each other out.

TDJ: Do you have any other options or avenues you would like to explore within the near future?

MM: Yes, actually we do. The demand for open style fronts, initiated the decision to purchase a CnC machine. This machine has allowed us to venture into all types of custom routing including wood, poly and plastic sheeting. The latest product that we offer is a child safety fence for your fire ring. We do not believe in reinventing the wheel but feel that this is a very cost effective product that has a huge value. In my mind, 1 prevented burn would pay for all the R&D.

We also have a list of dog wardens, rescues, vet clinics etc. that we would like to start marketing to. Up to this point, our target customer has been the commercial breeder. I do feel like there is a demand out there, though, in other areas in the industry. I don’t know exactly how to pursue that market, but I feel like somebody should, and I have intentions of trying it. There are similar units and products available online, but I believe we have a superior product to what is available. Whether that’s someone owning one dog or a number of them, I think the opportunity to provide our products outside of the local community is out there. My employees do play a big role in bringing on new ideas and deciding what we try and pursue, and I am grateful for that. We do prefer staying within the kennel industry, but I appreciate their willingness to also transfer to other industries with me if that is what we choose.