Meet Jean Kusnir

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jean Kusnir.

Hi Jean, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I had a black lab, named Marley who was suffering from skin issues. I decided to make treats for him that contained nutritional ingredients suggested by our vet as well as ingredients good for the heart, bones, and joints. He loved them.

What started out to help Marley, turned into a passion. After experimenting, I finally created a recipe that contained natural, and organic ingredients making a healthy treat for dogs that I shared with family and friends who enjoyed them as much as Marley. Rescued from an animal shelter in 2005, Marley was part of our family until he passed away in 2017. In his memory, I decided to continue what I enjoyed doing, opening up an Etsy shop named after him, Black Dog Wild Flours.

It wasn’t the same without Marley. I missed having my first cup of morning coffee with him by my side, how he would lay on the kitchen floor in front of the oven when I made his treats, and how he enjoyed going thrift shopping and estate sales with me. I decided to combine my love of baking with thrifting adding second-hand pet items, unique pet dishes, and coffee mugs to Black Dog Wild Flours.

Eventually, my love for a dog companion led me to adopt another rescue dog, Olivia, a Rhodesian Hound Boxer mix.
No dog would ever measure up to Marley, but Olivia has come close and has been the inspiration to adding icing to treats creating a gourmet, gluten-free dog treat.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Black Dog Wild Flours started in June 2016. There were so many dog treats on the market at first it was slow getting attention. I was constantly working on how I could make Black Dog Wild Flours treats stand out. I expanded the dog treat from the basic dog bone look to other shapes.

Adding vintage and unique pet items also increased traffic as well as paying my dues going to a local farmer and artesian markets; loading the car up with inventory, setting up, repeating my presentation, packing back up and repeating.

When vacationing in Florida, I walked into a dog bakery, curious and was inspired. It was like walking into a French bakery, full of delicious pastries only for dogs! I came home and started experimenting with icing dog treats.

Creating a new look, offering custom treats.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I make gourmet, gluten-free dog treats, specializing in bringing the dog treat to the next level of icing, full of color and bling, and custom orders that include message treats.

I am continuing to expand and improve the look of the dog treats as well as finding unique estate and thrift items for pets.

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is how important pets are in our lives. I’ve had the privilege to meet so many people from all over the US and their dogs.

Contact Info:

• Email: blackdogwildflours@gmail.com
• Website: www.etsy.com/shop/BlackDogWildFlours
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/black_dog_wild_flours/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlackDogWildFlours