Type
‘healthy food for dogs’ or some derivative of the subject into
any search engine, and you’ll have several million links for your
browsing pleasure.
When
Shawna Cohen looked for alternate options for Enzo after a bout of
undiagnosed health issues, she stumbled onto the ideals of cooking
actual, whole food. Finding some success led her to educate other pet
parents on the benefits of homemade food. She quickly outgrew her
home kitchen and needed something on a bigger scale.
Opening
a store would mean sharing her passion and mission for healthy living
on an even larger scale. Enter Pet Wants. Ready for a big adventure,
Shawna packed up her life in New Mexico and headed to Nashville.
I recently interviewed Shawna, intrigued with Nashville’s new and hip residents:
I read
on the About page of your website you learned of Pet Wants and
decided to leave New Mexico to come to Nashville. Why Nashville?
The
one and only reason I chose Nashville was because it was the only
city I knew someone in and by that, it really was just one person!
I had
lived in Phoenix, Arizona and South Dakota and did know people there,
but knew I didn't want to live in either of those places again - so
Nashville it was! After doing research and seeing what a dog-
friendly city along with so many events and festivals for dogs made
the choice even easier! Also, learning what was happening in
East Nashville with all the renovations and being the new and
up-and-coming area of Nashville and such a welcoming pet community, I
knew this would be a great location for the store.
I
love that you have a delivery service for your products. You are
quite possibly the only shop in this area doing this.
When
I was in the midst of trying to figure out how to start a pet food
business, delivery was something I wanted to incorporate. I knew it
would be a great convenience and incentive for people. The delivery
service is part of the Pet Wants Model. We had a choice of doing
just a mobile delivery service or retail store with delivery.
Being
that I'm the only Pet Wants in Nashville, I can deliver anywhere I
want. My limit is about 40-45 minutes – about a 50 mile radius.
As it is now, I go to Franklin, Brentwood, Hendersonville, Gallatin,
Hermitage, Madison, Inglewood, Smyrna, Bellevue, Green Hills, West
Nashville, East Nashville, and any areas that are close to those
cities. I will expand the area even more as business progresses.
A
lot of pet parents (myself included) may think that good, whole food
for our pets is priced high. But your prices are in-line with the
major national brands. How are you able to keep your prices so low?
Our
prices are just below the most premium brands and obviously higher
than the lowest so we try to stay comparable without devaluing our
premium ingredients and most of all, the freshness of the food.
What
helps us stay competitive is that Pet Wants is its own brand of food
that is manufactured specifically for and sent directly to us right
from the plant rather than going through other distribution
companies.
It is a small, family-owned manufacturing plant
that doesn't manufacture pet food for too many other companies.
Being
that it is made only once a month with limited ingredients cooked in
smaller batches allows the ingredients to be fresher and most of the
ingredients, with the exception of our proteins, are locally sourced
as much as possible to cut down on costs.
Being a part of Pet Wants is also about the passion of our pets and being able to provide a superior product at an affordable price.
Being a part of Pet Wants is also about the passion of our pets and being able to provide a superior product at an affordable price.
Shawna
is warm and inviting. Her passion for healthy living for all members
of the family shines through. She resides in Nashville with her first
love, Enzo, and Shelby, both Husky mixes rescued in New Mexico.
Pet
Foods Nashville is conveniently located at 962 Woodland St. and is
open seven days a week. Food for cats and dogs, as well as a variety
of supplements, bones and treats are available.
Find
her online and
Facebook.
Written 4-13-2017 by Heather Clift for Live Laugh Love Nashville - Feature Friday
Written 4-13-2017 by Heather Clift for Live Laugh Love Nashville - Feature Friday
