Today we’d like to introduce you to MaryClay Brown.
Hi MaryClay, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I have always had an unwavering love for dogs, considering them cherished members of our family. Over the years, our furry companions have found their way to us in various ways but they are welcomed into our hearts and loved wholeheartedly, even long after they have become a memory.
Years ago, I made the decision that it was time for my two daughters to experience the joy and responsibility of having a dog. It didn’t take long for us to choose our little bundle of joy, and we named her Maggie. She was a sweet pup who endured hair bows and cute outfits as little girls are prone to choose for their beloved pup.
In 2022, her health took a significant downturn, and we began to fear the inevitable. Determined to make Maggie’s remaining time with us the best it could possibly be, I started cooking specially prepared meals for her. As time went on, I expanded her culinary options. To our amazement, Maggie’s health began to improve, and it became clear she wasn’t ready to leave our family yet.
With the positive impact of nutritious meals on Maggie’s well-being, I began to reflect on the treats she consumed. I wanted them to be the same high quality as her meals. Through research, baking, and taste testing, I curated a collection of dog treat recipes made from human-grade ingredients and were happily approved by Maggie.
Knowing that many other dog owners share the same deep love for their furry companions and don’t have the time or desire to bake, I started SouthPaw Treats to provide high-quality treats that pet owners can trust, ensuring their beloved fur babies are “treated” well.
SouthPaw Treats LLC opened in September 2023 with great response from pet owners. Maggie “oversaw” the opening of the business and even supervised our first deliveries. She crossed the Rainbow Bridge on September 12, 2023 but we continue to honor her memory by maintaining the same high standards for the production of our treats. My two grand pups, Bella and Winston, have happily filled the position of Quality Control Inspectors by sampling treats to make sure our high standards for treats are consistent and delicious!
SouthPaw Treats began offering dog cakes in September 2024, in celebration of our first anniversary. We offer two styles, a bone-shaped single layer cake and a three-layer with filling cake. Many pups have enjoyed the bone-shaped cakes to celebrate their birthdays and Gotcha Days. The three-layer cake has been used for some birthdays but mainly as gender reveals for their family’s newest members of the pack! In early 2025, we were asked to join the Wed Society-Greater Raleigh. This is a curated list of wedding vendors to help engaged couples connect with businesses to help their wedding dreams come true… and this includes finding ways for pets to participate! We enjoy helping fur babies celebrate all of life’s special moments!
Now that we have celebrated SPT’s second anniversary, we have added Iced Peanut Butter treats so that we can offer festively decorated treats for your pup’s enjoyment.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Opening a dog treat bakery is about far more than baking. Each treat recipe must be tested by an independent lab, registered annually with the NC Department of Agriculture, and labeled with approved ingredients. On top of that, starting a business means registering with the NC Secretary of State, NC Department of Revenue, and the IRS—plus building a social media presence to connect with pet parents, animal organizations, and the community.
Thankfully, I’ve met wonderful people along the way. The NC Department of Agriculture has staff who patiently answer questions and guide new businesses through the process. The Secretary of State’s website made forming the business straightforward, and the Department of Revenue offers virtual classes that walk new owners through tax requirements. Each step felt manageable thanks to their support.
The SouthPaw Treats team started with me… and my two grown daughters Emily and Katie, and my husband Carlton. They have encouraged me and helped with pop-up events and social media. Our team has also added friends as bakers and event support. It has been a blessing to have each of these dear people to join me in the SouthPaw Treats journey and I look forward to where the business may lead us next!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about SouthPaw Treats LLC?
SouthPaw Treats LLC is a high-quality dog treat bakery that offers crunchy dog treats and decorated dog cakes. All of our products are created with human-grade ingredients and are preservative-free. Currently, we offer 8 varieties of crunchy dog treats and 2 styles of decorated cakes. Our OG treat flavor is peanut butter; however, bacon cheddar is also very popular. Soon, we will be able to offer logo printing on our iced peanut butter treats. This will be a great option for pet-friendly businesses to create “business cards” that pups will enjoy! We love dogs and want to provide them delicious high-quality treats with simple ingredients that pups love and pet parents feel good “treating” them well.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
One of my favorite childhood memories is the time that my sister and I were spending a week with our great aunts in southern Virginia. Aunt Alice enjoyed sharing her love of making ceramics with my sister and me. We enjoyed this experience until…. we discovered four puppies without their mom. The four furballs were weaned but needed loving care to survive. Like my sister and me, Aunt Frances loved animals and wanted to help the puppies have the best chance at survival so the three of us carried the pups in a cardboard box to the local vet. Aunt Frances paid for the pups’ initial exams, shots, and much needed baths. My sister and I completed our ceramics projects but focused our time on the care and entertainment of the puppies. When our parents called to check in on our visit, we anxiously asked if we could keep a puppy. Our dad said that he would “think about it” but to our delight, mom said that we could keep two and we would find homes for the remaining puppies. We learned about ceramics that week; however, in the weeks to follow we learned even more about the joys and responsibilities of having a pet.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://southpawtreatsnc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southpawtreatsnc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/southpawtreatsnc
