Exploring Life & Business with Candice Whitson of Bacon & Toast Leash Company

Today we’d like to introduce you to Candice Whitson

Hi Candice, thanks for joining us today! We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

Of course! I’m Candice—wife, human mom of three, dog mom of four (including Bacon and Toast!), and the maker behind Bacon & Toast. We officially launched in May of 2023, but my love for dogs really began 17 years ago with a sweet puppy named Leo. He’s the one who sparked this journey—he led my husband to become a dog trainer, and not long after, I became a groomer. So over the years, I’ve had my hands on a lot of leashes.

About two and a half years ago, a friend was cleaning out her craft room and asked if I wanted to buy some BioThane. Since we were already using leashes made from that material—and I’m pretty crafty—I thought, “I can totally make these.” It started out just making them for my husband, but then he started selling them to his clients… and it kind of took off from there!

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?

Not at first. Just a week after launching Bacon & Toast, our family experienced a house fire and I lost all of my stock and equipment. It was an incredibly tough time, but also a moment that taught me a lot. I’m so grateful to have found such a supportive network—the dog community truly feels like family.

Interestingly, that experience also gave me a deeper appreciation for the durability of BioThane. I was able to test the theory that it’s truly odor-proof—against one of the strongest odors out there: a house fire. With just a bit of soap and hot water, the soot and smell were completely gone. That moment really validated why I chose this material and gave me even more confidence in the products I was making.

One of the biggest challenges early on was figuring out my niche market. I knew I wanted to work with dog people, but in that first year, I spent a lot of time doing craft shows simply because I didn’t realize how many dog-specific events were out there. My first real dog event was the Mid Michigan Pet Expo in Flint in March of 2024—and from that moment, I knew those were the people and businesses I wanted to be around.

Another small challenge has been dealing with Michigan winters. Being a leash company in the Midwest, things naturally slow down a bit in the colder months. But every season brings something new, and I’ve learned to roll with it!

We’ve been impressed with Bacon & Toast Leash Company, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

At Bacon & Toast, I hand-make each and every leash to order. They’re made from BioThane, which is an incredibly strong, durable, and waterproof material. I focus on keeping my designs simple, classy, and above all—functional. My goal is always to create leashes that are lightweight, easy to use, and reliable.

I keep a wide range of colors available so there’s something for everyone, whether you’re going for bold and fun or subtle and sleek.

I think where I really found my passion was working with dog trainers and their clients. I saw so much out there geared toward the super glam, bougie dog mom aesthetic (which I absolutely love!), but there wasn’t much that spoke directly to trainers—people who needed dependable gear, but still wanted it to look good. I wanted to be someone who listened to them and created the tools they actually needed.

I also really enjoy doing custom orders and helping people design that perfect leash that works just right for them and their dog.

What I’m most proud of is building a brand that people are starting to recognize and look for at events. I still get butterflies every time someone walks into my booth and says, “I’m so glad you’re here!” It fills my heart every single time to see those familiar faces—and their pups.

What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?

Listen to your customers—they’ll tell you exactly what they need and what they don’t. I’ve had ideas that I thought were going to be great, but they ended up being total duds—and that’s totally okay! Every “miss” is just a chance to learn. I genuinely welcome feedback because it helps me grow and continue creating better products for the people (and dogs!) who use them.

Last year, I worked with a trainer who wanted to combine two of my leashes into one, and that custom idea became The Echo—a slip lead/clasp hybrid that’s super versatile. It’s now my best seller! It was something I might not have thought of on my own, but it filled a real need. Collaborating like that is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.

Pricing:

• The Toast Slip Lead $25
• The Nala Classic Clasp $28
• The Echo Slip Clasp Hybrid $30
• The Bacon Bits HandsFree $45
• The Leo Long Line $50

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.btleashco.com
• Instagram: https://Www.instagram.com/btleashco
• Facebook: https://Www.facebook.com/btleashco