Kathleen McCarron
Top Dog | Portland Pet Food Company
Portland, OR Chapter
What inspired you to start your business?
I started PPFC out of necessity to feed an elderly dog that was failing and stopped eating at age 14. I started cooking and she started eating and lived to be nearly 17.
What challenges have you faced as a woman in business?
I feel balancing work and family time is always a struggle but knowing we all are facing this challenge makes it easier.
What is the best business advice you have ever received?
Listen to your gut and don't look back. When a decision is made keep moving forward.
How has being a WPO member helped your business?
Networking, Networking and sharing our successes and failures has helped shape my business.
What lesson have you learned that you can share with other women entrepreneurs?
Always strive to do your best and no matter what you choose to do make it something you enjoy because if you work hard at it you will be successful.
About Portland Dog Food Company
After spending over 20 years as a health communications consultant, Kathleen McCarron founded Portland Pet Food Company after she turned her nutritional eye to Rosie, her aging, standard poodle's diet. Unsure of what to feed finicky Rosie, who no longer enjoyed canned food and had begun to lose weight, the number of unnatural supplements in basic dog food shocked Kathleen. She began to cook Rosie’s meals at home, focusing on locally sourced, natural ingredients. Rosie regained the weight she had lost and Kathleen, with her family by her side, expanded her meal and dog biscuit offerings. To learn more, visit portlandpetfoodcompany.com.