Meet Amy Weiss

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Weiss.  

Amy, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Pawsitvely Besties LLC Small, Woman Owned Business 

Milford, Michigan 

I am an avid animal lover with 5 rescue dogs and 2 rescue cats. I am married and my husband shares the same passion I do for animals, so it makes it nice to have a partner in this adventure! I started working with a new non-profit animal rescue early in 2021 by being their Fundraiser/Events Chair. I wanted to be able to support in more ways than just organizing events and volunteering, so I thought, why not bake homemade dog treats to give away for a small donation. I created my own recipe from only the best of ingredients. 

I shared the idea with my best friend, and she started helping me bake for the events that I organized for that non-profit. We both baked dog treats out of our own home kitchens in Milford and Macomb to support this new Non-Profit Foster Based Animal Rescue out of Royal Oak, MI. We started by providing small boxes of assorted dog treats for that local animal rescue to collect donations. In a matter of a year, those small batches of dog treats provided over $4,000.00 to that rescue!! 

I decided to start my own LLC business in July 2022, as I had a following of customers through word of mouth, fundraising events, and work. I not only wanted to support the one non-profit organization, but I thought I could expand and help other non-profit animal organizations as well. As of today, I have supported 5 different non-profits with the sales of my dog treats. I donate 25% of all sales to that organization. I look at this business as a way to support others and not necessarily make a profit. I have a full-time job, so this is a hobby for me which I am truly passionate about! Hoping someday I can expand and help other groups on a larger scale! 

I continue to bake out of my home kitchen in Milford to support 501c3 Non-Profit Animal Organizations and provide the same organic, small batch, human-grade ingredient dog treats to a local pet store and other establishments around my hometown as well; so others can enjoy these delicious Organic Peanut Butter dog treats with no soy, no preservatives, no artificial flavors, or colors. 

My treats only have 6 ingredients, and I focus on those ingredients only coming from the best sources: Organic Peanut Butter, Cage Free Eggs, Wildflower Honey, Old Fashioned Oats, Whole Wheat Flour, and Spring Water. 

In 2022, Pawsitively Besties LLC donated $610.00 to non-profit animal rescues. Currently, in 2023, I have donated $558.00 to non-profit animal organizations. I am also donating small raffle baskets to non-profits with my dog treats inside! 

I currently make one flavor of treat, Peanut Butter, and they are sold in 8 oz bags (approx. 18 cookies in each bag with a mixture of Paw Print and Dog Bones shapes). 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Opening my own business has been very rewarding, however challenging. The struggles have been around balancing the business, our rescue dogs which are also medical needs, the fundraising/events position for the non-profit, and my full-time job position. I thank my husband, Jerry, and daughter, Holly for their continued support as balancing multiple aspects of our life daily can be overwhelming. They are always there in person or through the phone to cheer me on, so I have a positive attitude and focus! 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My background is business management, as I support a team of 15 during the day at my professional career. My team supports Asset Management at an automobile company where we ensure all engineering test equipment is ready for use. I hold a Bachelor of Science Degree along with a Certification of Business Management and have been with the same company for 33 years this October 2023. 

My specialty, as peers tell me, is mentoring others and supporting one team behaviors daily, not only at work but with everything I do. I am known for being a strong leader and the go-to person at work and in my volunteering environment. I am extremely organized and detailed with every task I perform regardless; if it’s in my professional career, personal dog treat business, or at home. 

I am most proud of what I have accomplished over the years. I raised a beautiful and successful daughter who owns and runs her own business in Colorado; I built a 33-year career for myself, I have supported many rescue animals, and now a small business owner at age 49. I have always dreamt about owning my own animal-based business; however as I created my professional career, I put that to the wayside until recently. Being able to support the non-profit animal organization as the fundraiser/events chair gave me the ideas to pursue more and open my own LLC. 

I feel what sets me apart from others is my drive and passion to help others and not ask for anything in return. I not only want to be successful in my professional career, but I want to be successful in my personal life as well with my family, friends, and business. I am an extremely active person, so taking on and balancing multiple aspects of my life is easy for me even when it seems like there is too much to do. I thrive on juggling more than most people would take on. 

What were you like growing up?
As a young child, I was shy and not very outgoing. I did not participate in many extra-curricular activities as I focused on school only. As I grew up in my teenage years and as a young adult, working in a very large automobile company at age 16 helped me become the individual I am today. The professional managers at my work helped me to become a great leader and person. I consider myself to be a strong and bold individual which supports the growth that I have taken over the years. My career found me at age 16 when I got chosen to be a high-school co-op student, and I have stayed with the same company now for 33 years. 

I have always loved animals; I grew up with a dog, cat, and horse. The animals in my life have made me happy, and they always provide endless love no matter what you are feeling. They have helped create the environment and household I have today, which has also helped support my non-profit animal rescue work along with my newly established LLC. 

My hobbies include my pets, helping animals through the rescue I fundraise with, being outdoors, planting/maintaining my perennials, and of course my baking/business! 

Pricing:

• $7.00 per bag
• 3 bags for $20.00

Contact Info:

• Website: https://pawsitivelybesties.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087943493051