Success of Barkery & Bath’s Online Store Featured in KC Business Journal

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Barkery & Bath Co-owner Delena recently sat down with the Kansas City Business Journal to discuss all things Barkery, but most importantly, the online store.

If you’ve been a long-time customer of the Barkery, you may remember when the first online store was launched several years back. While some aspects of the online store were great, it just wasn’t exactly where we wanted it as far as functionality and the ability to compete with big box stores and online competitors. But if you’ve visited our new online store, you’ll find it chock-full of products, auto-ship options with discounts and even the ability to have your pet’s food delivered locally for free!

Highlights from the article:

The new e-commerce site integrates with the company’s point-of-sale system, and it sells only to customers in the Kansas City area. The Barkery invested in a van and uses existing employees to make area deliveries.

Since the February launch, online sales have increased every month. By June, online sales were up 49.4% compared with May. The new offering is attracting existing and new customers, and it’s leading to automated, recurring orders, Marketing Coordinator Courtney Klitzke said.

The new site was worth the investment and the risk, Stout said.

“It’s been phenomenal,” she said. “It brings excitement back to you that you can stay and continue the growth and satisfy the needs of pet parents.” 

View the full article here with your KCBJ login

Calm Your Pet’s Storm Anxiety with CBD

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It’s spring storm season. You see the first flash of lightning, hear the first boom of thunder and you instantly know – your faithful, furry friend is going to be terrified. Not only is watching your best friend in terror heartbreaking, giving your dog a “safe” space and rewarding calm behavior with treats can only go so far. Luckily, The Barkery is here to help – with CBD!

Storm anxiety – along with separation anxiety – is one of the most common anxieties found in dogs. Dogs are often more in tune with their environment than us humans are. Because of this, the barometric changes that happen prior to a storm combined with threatening dark skies, booming thunder and even the smell of a storm can lead to extreme anxiety.

There is a big difference between a dog being caught off guard and startled by a thunderclap and a dog suffering from storm anxiety. If you notice your furry family member displaying one or all of the following behaviors during a storm, there is a good chance they are suffering from anxiety:

  • Shaking
  • Whimpering
  • Pacing
  • Panting
  • Hiding
  • Clinging
  • Howling
  • Destructive behavior
  • Loss of appetite

Now that we’ve determined if your dog has storm anxiety or not, you’re probably asking yourself: how does CBD help? CBD blocks the absorption of serotonin in the brain. During this time block, CBD helps produce an elevated level of serotonin in the brain. Ultimately, this leads to reduced fear/anxiety, a calm mind/body and helps your pup function in a normal manner during a storm.

Ready to improve your dog’s quality of life this storm season? Come by either Brookside or Lee’s Summit Barkery location today! A member of our knowledgeable staff will help you select the best CBD product for your pet and have them back to their normal self in no time!

Barkery Owner Delena Stout – KC’s Most Influential Women

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We’re proud to announce that Barkery Owner Delena Stout has been named one of KC’s Most Influential Women by KC Magazine!

According to Susan Fotovich McCabe, ” This year’s Influential Women honorees are not only driven to succeed at their own companies, they’re setting the standard for future generations of female leaders in KC. Diversity is the best word to describe our 2014 class of Influential Women. Representing a wide array of industries, including sales, marketing, law, nonprofit and more, these 31 women all have one thing in common: passion.”

It’s true: Delena Stout had both passion and determination when she began developing her plan for a place many pet lovers have come to love: The Brookside Barkery and Bath.

It all started when, “after working several years in the corporate world, Stout found herself as a displaced worker. She did her homework, participated in the Kauffman Foundation’s FastTrac New Venture program and began baking dog treats in the basement of a tiny Brookside storefront while sleeping on a cot next to the oven. It makes for fond memories, but building a large, loyal base of customers is what really puts a smile on her face.” That base was extended when a second location was opened in Lee’s Summit.

Not only did Delena achieve her dream goal of a mutli-faceted dog owner destination, she also thrives on the ability to donate to charities that care for and also hold weekly adoptions in both stores. She is also looking forward to opening a third location in Overland Park later this year.

Read more by clicking here.

Barkery Owner Delena Stout Featured in US News

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Did you know that the Brookside Barkery and Bath was developed by Baby Boomers? OK, so this may not be big news, but when that business thrives and has been serving customers for over 10 years, it’s a big deal. And apparently US News agreed, and featured Barkery Owner Delena Stout in a recent article titled “Why Baby Boomers Can be Great entrepreneurs.”

Aaron Guerrero notes, “Over the course of a decade, the Kansas City-based dog bath and all-natural pet food store has expanded to multiple locations, gained more than 25,000 customers and generated millions of dollars in profits.” Guerrero goes on to discuss Stout’s background as the bridge to where she and the Barkery are today.

Read more by clicking here