We recently had the chance to connect with Debra Johnson and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Debra, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: Who are you learning from right now?
Poodles and Bob pet supply shop and Poodles and Bob Spa are both located in downtown Manteo, NC.
Building and growing a small business is challenging, but running a businesses in a vacuum without the support and collaboration of neighboring businesses and the community that your business serves makes business growth even more challenging. I am fortunate to be located in a North Carolina Main Street Community. Over the past few years, I have been learning from Main Street business experts, taking advantage of educational opportunities to help my business and our business community flourish. This year, Poodles and Bob earned the title of “Destination Business” after completing a rigorous Main Street “Destination University” program focusing on business presence within the community.
I am also engaging with and learning from community leaders. I have enjoyed taking an active role in town initiatives, committees and projects. Serving on the Main Street Advisory Board allows me to engage with businesses both local and across the state.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am Debra Johnson, owner of Poodles and Bob and Poodles and Bob Spa in Manteo, NC, a Main Street community located in eastern NC. I am a lifelong pet owner with a background is healthcare diagnostics. When I created Poodles and Bob in 2018, my intent was for my brand to be different than other pet suppliers. To not only develop a curated line of high quality products, supporting dog/cat health and wellness, but also to talk with my customers and provide them with individualized product suggestions.
At Poodles and Bob, we believe that every pet deserves more than just generic solutions. That’s why we take the time to talk with our customers, understand their pets’ unique needs, and recommend products that truly support long-term health and happiness. From our wellness-focused product line to our hands-on approach at Poodles and Bob, we’re redefining what it means to care for your furry family members.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
I think I have always followed my Dad’s advice on work or projects…..”If you’re not going to do it right, don’t do it at all”. That phrase sticks in the back of my mind on a daily basis. This translates to how I build my business, design my customer-facing spaces, develop events, etc.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
No, not really. Giving up is not something I think about. I started Poodles and Bob on a part time basis while I was working full time in healthcare, which was a challenge in itself. I used that time to learn about business and marketing, and to network. Word of mouth is still in my opinion a very powerful marketing tool. This year I will be 3 years into my brick and mortar location. I have added services for continued growth: grooming, therapeutics and canine wedding concierge services. I take every opportunity to expand my knowledge and grow my brand as a trustworthy, quality, standout business for my customers.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
Absolutely!! I genuinely love what I do. Having the opportunity to draw on my knowledge to speak with people about their pets is a joy. It is easy to assume that pet owners know about pet wellness, nutrition, characteristics of their breed, grooming, etc, but this is not typically the case. 9 times out of 10, pet owners are very receptive to discussing and receiving feedback on their pet challenges.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
I think my customers would miss the individualized experience that they and their pet receive from Poodles and Bob. We take pride in our curated menu of high-quality items that are effective and safe for their pet’s individual needs. Customers are given the opportunity to share the specifics of their pet, discuss the appropriateness of a product for their pet, and consider alternate options if necessary.
Poodles and Bob is the home of the “Fear Free Fitting” experience. Any dog (or cat) is welcome to try on any collar or harness in the shop to ensure fit before purchase. We encourage owners to bring their pet in for a fitting to avoid guessing. This also gives the owner the opportunity to get assistance in sizing a collar or harness so that they feel comfortable with the process before they leave.
Contact Info:
- Website: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/poodlesandbob
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/poodlesandbob
