We’re looking forward to introducing you to Whitney Persek. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Whitney, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about your customers?
The most surprising thing I’ve learned about my customers is their incredible loyalty. There are so many equestrian brands out there—and plenty of treats that, in my opinion, are much “cuter” than mine. Early on, I realized that my treats wouldn’t be the most refined or decorative, because my focus has always been on keeping them healthy, made with just a select, high-quality ingredients.
My customers truly value that commitment. They know that when they shop with me, I put my heart into creating treats that are perfect for their horses. Some of my very first customers are still with me today, and that means the world to me. I hope they know how deeply I appreciate their support—both for Dapper Darling and for me personally. I feel so honored that they want to see me succeed, and I’ll always be grateful for that.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Whitney, and I’m the owner of Dapper Darling, a horse treat company that specializes in gluten-free, high-quality treats made with real fruits and vegetables and USEF-approved ingredients. I keep my recipes simple and clean—no preservatives—so you can feel good about what you’re feeding your horse.
What makes Dapper Darling unique is that I do everything myself: from making the treats to marketing, packaging orders, and providing customer service. I’ve had opportunities to expand, but I know that would change what makes Dapper Darling special. I truly value the personal connections I have with my customers, the ability to customize treats for horses with dietary needs, and the flexibility that comes with running a small, hands-on business.
While I do sometimes wonder what the future will look like if I can’t handle all the orders on my own, I’m not there yet—and for now, I’m simply grateful. Grateful that I can pour my heart into this company, stay closely involved in every detail, and still be a present wife and mom.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My husband. He has always seen my drive and passion—even before I saw them in myself. For a long time, I put up walls because my dreams felt so far out of reach. But he broke those walls down and showed me what was possible. He’s incredibly driven, passionate, resourceful, and smart, and I’m so grateful to have him as my husband and as someone I deeply admire.
He’s always believed I could do anything. I often say I couldn’t do Dapper Darling without him, and he always replies, “Yes, you can.” He motivates me in everything I do, and I hope I make him and our children proud.
Building this business from the ground up has given me a confidence I never knew I had. I still can’t believe I’m the owner of Dapper Darling—it doesn’t always feel real. I’m so proud of what we’ve built, and I say we because my husband has been part of this journey every step of the way. He never asks for credit, but he deserves it. He saw my strength before I did. He believed in my potential before I could see it myself. He was confident for me when I wasn’t.
And now, three years later, I finally see it too. I see me.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Don’t live in your fear. You are amazing, and you are capable of anything. For a long time, I was terrified of the unknown and hid behind that fear—too scared to speak up, afraid of being laughed at or making a mistake. I stayed in the shadows so I wouldn’t dim anyone else’s light.
Now, as a mom of three young children, I tell them every day: Make the mistakes. That’s how we learn. It’s okay to be scared or nervous—but don’t let that fear stop you from trying. Be silly. Be bold. Live loudly.
It took me years to grow beyond my fear, to learn to be proud of myself, and to accept that mistakes are part of the journey. I still make them—but I keep learning, growing, and working harder each time. That’s what I want my children to understand: mistakes aren’t something to fear—they’re something to learn from, and they’re proof that you’re brave enough to try.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
When I started Dapper Darling, my goal was simple: to create a truly healthy treat. I wanted something I could feed my horses with complete confidence—something I couldn’t find on the everyday market. From the beginning, I’ve been committed to continually improving my recipes, always reworking the ingredients to ensure each treat is of the highest quality. Every year, I discover new ways to make them even better—whether that means incorporating seasonal ingredients, using premium flours that I grind myself, or hand-painting each treat with care.
These treats take an incredible amount of time and effort, and while there are certainly easier shortcuts, I refuse to take them. I want to provide something I’m genuinely proud of—and I can honestly say I’m proud of every single treat I create.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
This question always makes me a little emotional. While I’m incredibly proud of Dapper Darling, the story I hope people tell when I’m gone is that my family has always come first. If Dapper Darling disappeared tomorrow, I would still feel completely fulfilled because of my husband and children.
I love being a wife and a mom. I love the life we’ve built together. My husband and I have created an incredible family rooted in love, connection, and support. Even at their young ages, our children are such an important part of everything we do—not just at home, but with Dapper Darling, too. As much as we support them in their own activities, they’re equally eager to help and be part of ours.
One of my greatest joys has been watching my eldest daughter find inspiration in what I do. She’s already dreaming up her own little business, and seeing that spark of confidence and creativity in her fills me with so much pride. It’s a gift I never had as a child, and I hope that light in her never fades.
When my time here is done, I hope my children can look back and know—without a doubt—how deeply their mommy loves them, and how much I believe they can do absolutely anything.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thedapperdarling.com
- Instagram: @the.dapper.darling
Image Credits
Photos by Dustin Persek
