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)