113 - From Child Dream to Pet Empire: Ava's Pet Palace Story

In this inspiring episode of Toni Unleashed, Toni sits down with Ava Dorsey, the founder and CEO of Ava's Pet Palace — a thriving pet treat company she started when she was just eight years old. Now 18, Ava shares how her childhood love for animals and passion for healthy ingredients grew into an award-winning, USDA Organic brand with nationwide retail presence. Ava talks about drawing her first "job plan" at age six, making tuna treats for her cat Pumpkin, and how family support and social media helped her business take off. She and Toni discuss her journey from baking treats in her kitchen to working with co-manufacturers, exhibiting at Global Pet Expo, and getting into major retailers like Meijer and Erewhon—all while staying committed to small, independent pet stores. They also dive into the challenges of balancing entrepreneurship with school, the power of staying true to your values, and Ava's advice for other young entrepreneurs: "Comparison is the thief of joy." Learn more or shop at avaspetpalace.com, and follow @AvasPetPalace on Instagram, TikTok, Threads, and YouTube.