Episode 2 - Category- Business Services- Dawn Naum, Pet Food Supply

Interview Dawn Naum, founder of Koda's Place, for the Battlefield to Business podcast to discuss her entrepreneurial journey as a veteran. Key Takeaways Dawn overcame significant personal challenges (poverty, military medical discharge, car accident, incarceration) to launch Koda's Place, a pet accessory business with a mission to give back The business, inspired by Dawn's service dog Koda, donates 2% of sales to animal shelters and aims to sponsor service dogs for veterans Key challenges include limited capital and marketing, but community support has been strong Dawn emphasizes the importance of taking action on business ideas rather than waiting for perfect conditions Topics Dawn's Background and Resilience Grew up in poverty, moving frequently between states Joined Marine Corps but medically discharged after 2 years Experienced severe car accident, incarceration, and personal struggles Used these experiences to fuel personal growth and eventually start Koda's Place Koda's Place Business Overview Pet accessory business selling leashes, collars, treats, and merchandise Founded July 2023 in Andrews, North Carolina Mission to donate 2% of sales to local animal shelters Goal to sponsor service dogs for veterans by 2025 (est. $8,000/dog) Currently operates through local gift shop booth, events, and developing e-commerce Business Challenges and Strategies Limited capital: Bootstrapping with bartending tips, careful budgeting Marketing: Primarily word-of-mouth and business cards; working to improve social media Product development: Experimenting with treat shelf-life, no preservatives used Logistics: Manually fulfilling orders, researching food safety requirements Time management: Balancing day jobs with business development Community Support and Growth Strong local support from friends and strangers Developing website (Kodas.place) for e-commerce Long-term plans include own retail space, grooming services, and training classes Mental Health and Resilience Advice Emphasizes importance of human connection during dark times Recommends Veterans Crisis Line as a resource Advocates for taking small steps (e.g. shower, make a call) to move forward Stresses the impermanence of difficult emotions/situations Next Steps Launch website (Kodas.place) to enable e-commerce Research and comply with food safety requirements for pet treats Improve social media marketing consistency Prepare for upcoming Oktoberfest and Welcome Home Veterans events Continue developing product line and exploring future expansion opportunities (e.g. grooming services)