Founder Spotlight: Mark Hirschel (HOWND)
Meet Mark Hirschel:
HOWND is a 100% plant-based lifestyle brand for dogs offering food, treats, and grooming products.
Startup Stage:
Seed Stage
Location:
London
When did you launch the business?
2015
What led you to where you are today?
A mix of being an animal lover and wanting to do our part to help reduce the damage we're causing to our planet. We first created vegan grooming products, then treats, and now nutritionally complete dog food. We're good at what we do and our products are super healthy for dogs.
What do you wish you knew before embarking on your entrepreneurial journey?
Ha! That's a big question. I wish I knew how long it takes to build an authentic brand. How to be a bit more patient. How much money would be spent on expensive mistakes. And how you should always stick with your gut feeling when making decisions.
What is the most difficult decision you've had to make regarding your business so far?
The most difficult decision so far has been pivoting from grooming into food which is far from a normal pivot, and one which has created a whole new world of D2C and subscriptions for us to learn and strategise within.
What can you help the VEGPRENEUR community with?
Brand building, taking on investment, strategy formation, commercial decisions, manufacturing and providing contacts.
How can the VEGPRENEUR community help you?
Through networking, sharing advice, scaling up and creating exposure for HOWND
Fun fact about you:
I was on Dragons Den in 2014 with our original brand Butch & Bess (changed to HOWND in 2015). What a mad experience that was. We didn't get investment in the end but it was still great to be part of. The next day we released a marketing campaign with the tag line "Butch & Bess.....made for dogs, not dragons".
Anything else you would like to share?
Just one of my favourite Q&A's from Elon Musk. Question to Elon - What words of encouragement would you give an entrepreneur? Elon's answer - If you need words of encouragement, don't become an entrepreneur."
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