Mary and Allen Blank launched Tailz ‘er Waggin’ Barkery to blend their passion for pets with their dream of a meaningful retirement. After years of corporate work at Deere & Company, the couple had already run a pet shop in the Midwest before taking a six-year journey across the U.S. in a motorhome with their five dogs. When they relocated to Albion, Maine in 2023, they knew they wanted to reestablish their all-natural dog treat business.
They began baking small-batch, preservative-free treats with locally sourced ingredients, offering flavors like Banana Oatmeal, Blueberry, Pupkins, and Peanutty Puppers. Their earlier experience running a storefront with events, grooming, and retail helped shape a clear vision for how they hoped to rebuild. But the realities of restarting in a new state, especially with goals to expand wholesale and build a commercial kitchen, presented financial and logistical challenges.
Mary reached out to the Maine SBDC for guidance, and Business Advisor Christina Dodge stepped in to help. From refining their business plan and recipe costing to creating cash flow projections and connecting them with a local bank, Christina supported the couple at every stage.
“Christine was an incredible resource,” Mary said. “She provided us with so many helpful tools to explore, and whenever we had questions, she either had the answers or knew exactly where to find them.”
With Christina’s help, the couple began producing their treats in Fork Food Lab’s kitchen and are now selling through their first retail partner, China Lake Provisions. Their next goal is to build a commercial-grade kitchen in their garage to scale production without compromising quality. They remain committed to using only wholesome, preservative-free ingredients and hope to bring their treats to even more pets across the state.
“Be sure to connect with the SBDC,” Mary added. “Their free advice, guidance, and ongoing support have been invaluable. If you’re starting a business, reaching out to them is one of the smartest moves you can make.”