Our Story...
Having grown up around the distribution industry, I learned about sales and customer building. As I got older I attended trade shows with my family & at times helped source products for their business. At a tradeshow in 2018 we came across across a product that didn't suit the family business plans, but was everything my husband and I loved. Excited to be able to work with this brand, I decided to open my own company - Zarabull & Co. (named after our dog ZARA) This allowed us to bring brands into Canada that we felt dogs like ours were missing out on in the current retail space. Over time we brought on 12 more brands & were importing from 5 countries.
While our initial focus was on heavy duty toys, throughout covid we adapted our selection as higher demands were placed on enrichment products & overall canine wellness. This eventually became the primary focus of our company. I was working from my home office throughout the lockdowns like many others, so my dogs were with me daily . I too was paying more attention to ways to add to their lives by way of enrichment.
This got me collaborating with a variety of small companies with their treats, supplements /wellness items. Seeing these small brands grow and thrive as we had opportunities to shine a light on them and even introduce them to some of our retail partners was very rewarding, Although not acting as their distributor I was able to benefit greatly from these interchanges - in the way of that “good feeling” you get just for being kind and for supporting a hard working / local small business.
We shared creative ideas in the ways of marketing & product development. This positive interchange seemingly kicked my creative thinking back into high gear - this motivation was that little spark I didn’t know I‘d need to embrace future changes.
Getting to blend business/sales with my love of my dogs has been a unique experience, one filled with constant learning and growth opportunities .
Post COVID distribution began to look different, or maybe it was just me seeing it with a new perspective. Either way, I determined it was best to shift my distribution efforts over to my family’s company which has been in operation for over 25yrs & absorb my arrangements into a “pet category” within their catalog . I needed a reset.
I was preparing to close down after completing the business shift, but I found myself wondering - Am I selling myself short by just closing the doors? Was there still something there to fuel my passion? Not sure how to answer my own questions, I decided to sit on it for a bit & hold off on filing the company closure documents.
I pulled out a folder I had tucked away with sketches, product ideas and various notes. I began working on them again as a creative outlet as I tried to clear my thoughts. Then something happened, I started to toss around a crazy idea… Could ZARABULL be its own brand? Could I turn these ideas into actual products that people/dogs would like? Was this the “thing” I was missing?
My husband once again supported me, his answer was simple… YES! So, I decided it was finally time, I was ready to believe in myself and stop wondering “what if” & jump in with both feet.
Yikes - ok 2024 here we go!
As I prepared to take this next step, I wanted to ensure our efforts would have a positive impact and benefit more than just our company. We determined the best way to do so was by producing our own line of products right here IN CANADA. I also wanted to get back to connecting with the public directly at expos and markets , beyond just seeing our products on the shelves of retail locations. This will ultimately allow me to gain feedback first hand & adapt my designs .
Who would have thought that I could take on distribution in a tough market, make it through a pandemic as a new business & then pivot to be able to manufacture our own product line which would help boost/support our local economy? Had you asked me back in 2018, I would have thought it was crazy to think that big, but now I’m simply excited and extremely grateful ...
So what makes our products different?
Of course being made in Canada is certainly a big factor, but it goes beyond that. Our products are original to us - I design/ hand draw all of them, we do not use private labelling of existing molds , nor do we share our molds with other brands /approve of replication of them. Since they are our own creations, we have opted to bring a local feeling to each of them, we hope you’ll find ones that resonate with you personally,
We aren’t just a Canadian company based on our office location or point of shipping - we truly are a MADE IN CANADA business, ensuring all aspects of our process are done locally. We can’t wait to share them with you and your dog(s)!