Page 34 - PET worldwide issue 01/2023

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Out of love for dogs

In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, Kim Troch started

her own business with a small 20 m² shop for dog accessories
in the Belgian city of Mechelen.

For Kim Troch in Mechelen, Bel- of the knowledge she had accu- flavours and contain plenty of
gium, the coronavirus pandemic mulated. Her customers were fresh fruit and vegetables, but
was not a good experience ini- still approaching her with a myr- no fat, no eggs or other animal
tially. Young and self-employed, iad of questions: “What is the by-products or preservatives,”
she looked in vain for work from best food for my dog and which says the young entrepreneur. At
one day to the next, because the treats are healthy?”, “What about Christmas she even produced
whole of Belgium was in lock- toys, what would you recom- a decorated Christmas Stollen
down. Only essential stores such mend?” and “What should I bear for dogs.
as supermarkets, pharmacies in mind with regard to my dog’s “Mechelen may not be the big-
and pet stores were allowed to sleeping area?” gest city in Belgium with a popu-
remain open. lation of around 85 000, but not
As a dog trainer and behav- Start-up on 20 m² a week goes by without some-
iourist with over ten years‘ ex- “I opened a 20 m² shop in prob- one discovering something

Opening her store was a good perience, she thought long and ably the ugliest shopping street new in our bakery and shop,”
business decision for Kim Troch. hard about how to get more out in Mechelen and christened it she says proudly. She also of-
Tldoggybakery & Shop,” re- fers a cookie box concept un-
counts Kim Troch. Tldoggy is an der which customers can sub-
abbreviation of Tender Loving scribe to a monthly delivery of
Doggycare. She focused from the healthy, freshly baked biscuits
outset on products that couldn’t to their door.
be found in other pet stores. Al-
though her new venture meant Expanding through
taking a huge risk, word got creativity
around quickly and she soon ac- Last October, Tldoggycare cel-
quired a loyal customer base. As ebrated its second anniversary
invariably proves to be the case and its first year in the new
in situations like this, it was only premises. “The opening of the
a year before Tldoggycarebak- new shop was a huge success;
ery & Shop had to move to big- many of our regular customers
ger premises with a retail area were present and the press also
of over 60 m². took a lively interest,” recalls Kim
The unique selling point of Troch. The number of unique fol-
Troch’s business that proba- lowers on social media rose to
bly stands out most is her dog over 4 000.
bakery, which turns out tasty, In the toy department, toys are
healthy dog biscuits, waffles sold that enrich the life of dogs.
and puppy and birthday cakes. These are designed to activate
“The biscuits come in seasonal basic modes of canine behav-

34 PET worldwide 1|2023

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