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Vendor Interview: Jerel Kwek Director of Addiction Pet Food

September 3rd, 2009

K9Cuisine: What is your story-how did you get into the dog food business?

Jerel: I’ve always loved animals and when I was a kid I volunteered at a veterinary hospital during my free time. Many years later, I wanted to set up a business in the pet industry and I connected again with the same veterinarian I used to volunteer for. He said he had formulated a very unique food that was making a huge difference to the dogs and cats he treated; a food manufactured in New Zealand that he was using to treat food allergies, irritable bowel syndrome and many other chronic diseases. He wanted to develop the product and the business further but as a very busy veterinarian running four clinics and a hospital, he needed a partner to help him bring the Addiction Pet Food line of foods to as many dogs and cats as possible quickly. It was a case where there was a very good fit in terms of vision, values and complementary skills and experience. Sometimes one starts a business because of a good product, other times because of a good team. In our case, we were pretty lucky because we had both.

K9Cuisine: What is the secret to your success – how have you gotten to where you are today?

Jerel: I was very entrepreneurial as a child, having made my first dollar at the age of 5. My mother and grandparents have their own businesses. So there has always been this heritage of entrepreneurship in my family. Entrepreneurship can only grow with an openness to new ideas. And so I draw inspiration from my family, as well as from daily experiences. Everywhere I go, from watching people to looking at things to traveling, I draw inspiration, giving me great ideas about how I can make things better. On a recent trip to Africa, I observed how dogs and cats survive and thrive in the wild, which gave me ideas for new and eye-opening opportunities that I am excited about bringing to my work. Openness to ideas, plus positive attitude, passion, integrity and creativity – these are the ingredients for success.

K9 Cuisine: What makes you different?

Jerel: Two factors: extreme restlessness and seeing things differently.

K9 Cuisine: What is it about dogs that you love?

Jerel: I love their trust and unconditional love. They are really Man’s best friend.

K9 Cuisine: What is the neatest part about your business?

Jerel: We aim to formulate, manufacture and market the most innovative and premium pet food in the world. We have a manufacturing plant in New Zealand and market our food globally. While the growth of the business has been satisfying, the neatest part of our business is the positive impact we are making on dogs and cats that mean a great deal to their owners. We’ve received feedback from such pet owners over the years, telling us how their cats and dogs previously had such debilitating allergies in reaction to all foods that they had just about given up. However, by making a simple switch to Addiction, their pets became allergy free and continued to lead healthy happy lives. It is cases like these that are immensely rewarding, where I am encouraged and energized to continue making a difference.

K9 Cuisine: How can people reach you?

Jerel: Email info@addictionfoods.com

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This interview was given by Jerel Kwek, the Director of Addiction Foods. They are a New Zealand manufacturer of holistic pet foods that are not only of premium quality, but are easier on the environment than most other foods out there! You can see their line of products here at K9Cuisine, or for more information visit their website http://www.addictionfoods.com

K9 Cuisine is a provider of premium dog food. We’re committed to providing our customers with the knowledge, and the products, to help their faithful friends be the best they can be.

Tags: addiction, anita, byproduct-free, green product, healthy, premium pet food, wholesome
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