Pawprint Chats is a series where we chat with our friends, clients, and peers in our local Colorado community. It’s a chance to check in and see how everyone’s doing, in business and in life.
Today we’re talking to Debra Mastic of The Pugly Company, Inc., which is most well-known for the Fluff Trough — an ingenious dog bowl for flat-faced dog breeds. When her pug Pork Chop was diagnosed with balance issues, she used a 3D printer to design a better feeding solution for him. Now her product is a best-seller among flat-faced and special needs pets nationwide.
YellowDog: Hello! Give us the “elevator pitch” version of what your business does.
Debra Mastic: The Pugly Company Inc. creates transformative and hiqh-quality pet products and experiences. Our core product is a patented elevated pet feeder with interchangeable inserts called a Fluff Trough and has been featured in Modern Dog Magazine as an ingenious solution to dog-life problems.
YD: What has been your biggest win in the past year?
DM: Being named the Best Overall Dog Bowl by Spruce Pets.
YD: This past year has been a learning experience for everyone. Anything you’ve learned about your business during a pandemic?
DM: I’ve learned how important contingency planning is when you are dealing with something unprecedented like COVID-19. I also learned how to have open communication with my customers regarding the challenges I was experiencing as a business to better manage expectations and disappointments.
YD: What has been one of your proudest moments as a local business owner?
DM: Being able to provide local jobs with flexibility and great company culture!
YD: If you could wave a magic wand and change one thing about your business, what would it be?
DM: I wish our product was smaller so it was cheaper to ship and easier to store and transport!
YD: Describe your brand in three words.
DM: Fun, Quality, Healthy
YD: Love it! Not for some rapid-fire questions:
Are you a dog person or a cat person?
Pug person.
Early bird or night owl?
Night owl.
Favorite local beer?
I don’t drink.
What’s your best party trick?
I can ride an electric unicycle.
What show are you currently binging?
Crime Scene Kitchen.
Any book you’re currently reading?
A Dog’s Courage, by Bruce Cameron.
What do you miss the most about pre-pandemic life?
Traveling to see friends and family.
YD: Thanks Deb! It’s always a pleasure to work with dog businesses and learn more about what you do. Keep sending your print needs our way!
FLUFF TROUGH ON FACEBOOK
FLUFF TROUGH ON INSTAGRAM