The Starter Company Plus program is funded by the government of Ontario and delivered by the Small Business Centre of Barrie, Simcoe County and Orillia. The program is designed to help entrepreneurs start, grow or buy a business. Participants receive mentorship from experienced business professionals, access to valuable training and networking opportunities, as well as the opportunity to pitch for up to $5,000 in micro-grants.
The Small Business Centre team is excited to share the companies they had the chance to work with this fall.
Meet Kara Wardinger and Pawty Animals
Under owner Kara Wardinger, Pawty Animals is a purebred Canadian company making eco-friendly toys that bring joy to dogs and humans alike! Most dog toys are made with virgin polyester, which is made from a non-renewable resource (oil) using an energy-intensive process. Pawty Animals’ dog toys are made with recycled material so they're less toxic for your dog and better for the environment. Their toys are also created in collaboration with local designers, pay tribute to some beloved Canadian brands, and Kara has a ‘RePawpose Program’ where you can send in your torn dog toys and Pawty Animals will fix them up and ship them back out, giving them a second life with rescue dogs across Canada.
Having a Ball with Pawty Animals
- What is your favourite part about being an entrepreneur?
As the owner of Pawty Animals, my favorite part of being an entrepreneur is the ability to make a meaningful impact not just in the lives of pets and their owners, but in the environment and community as well. Through our RePawpose Program, we’re able to give old toys a new life, promoting sustainability in a world where waste is a growing concern. It’s rewarding to know that we’re helping reduce our environmental footprint while encouraging other pet businesses to follow suit.
Equally important is our Rescues of the Month Program, which allows us to support incredible rescue organizations. Giving back to those who help animals find their forever homes is something I’m truly passionate about, and it’s humbling to be able to offer that support through our platform.
Being an entrepreneur isn’t just about building a business; it’s about paving the way for change. I’m proud to live by the principles of sustainability and community support and to inspire others in the pet industry to do the same.
- What inspired you to start a business?
What inspired me to start Pawty Animals was a deep love for pets, combined with a desire to make a positive impact on the planet. I wanted to create something that not only brought joy to pets and their owners but also aligned with my passion for sustainability. Seeing how much waste is generated by the pet industry, I felt there was an opportunity to create eco-friendly products that could make a real difference.
It wasn’t just about the toys—it was about building a brand that gives back, like through our RePawpose Program, which recycles old toys, and our Rescues of the Month Program, which supports animals in need. I wanted to show that running a business could be about more than profit; it could be about purpose and helping create a better world for pets and the people who love them. That vision is what drove me to turn my passion into a business.
- What services/ products do you offer?
We offer a wide range of eco-friendly and sustainable dog toys designed to bring joy to pets while caring for the planet. Our products include:
- Plush dog toys: Fun, durable, and soft toys made from recycled water bottles.
- Custom dog toys: Personalized toys tailored for businesses like hotels, wineries, and breweries, including Fairmont Hotel, Sandbanks Winery, Flying Monkeys Brewery, Inniskillin Wines, and more.
- Parody toys: Humorous designs that playfully mimic popular Canadian brands and sports teams, adding a unique and fun touch to playtime.
In addition to these toys, we’re committed to sustainability through our RePawpose Program, encouraging pet owners to recycle old dog toys and make responsible choices for their furry friends and offer free, prepaid bags for all of our customers to send us back their old, torn up dog toys.
- Who do you look up to for inspiration when it comes to either being an entrepreneur or your business?
When it comes to inspiration as an entrepreneur, I look up to people and businesses that prioritize purpose over profit and emphasize sustainability and community impact, such as Patagonia. Leaders who are able to blend passion with social responsibility inspire me the most, and I used Patagonia as my inspiration for building most of my brand.
I’m particularly motivated by entrepreneurs who have successfully paved the way in building eco-conscious brands that give back, whether through environmental initiatives or supporting local communities. Seeing other companies in the pet industry—or beyond—commit to sustainability and creating positive change reassures me that businesses can be a force for good.
On a personal level, I admire those who never stop innovating and finding ways to do better. Their ability to combine success with a commitment to values like giving back and paving the way for others really resonates with what I strive to achieve at Pawty Animals.
- How did you come up with your business name?
I came up with the name Pawty Animals because I wanted it to reflect the fun and joy that pets bring into our lives while also tying into the social and playful nature of both pets and their owners. The word "Pawty" is a playful twist on "party," capturing that sense of celebration and excitement that pets bring to everyday moments.
At the same time, I wanted the name to be memorable, punny, and lighthearted while reflecting the purpose behind the business—providing eco-friendly, sustainable products that pets and their owners can feel good about. It was important to me that the name represents the heart of our mission: celebrating the bond between pets and people while making a positive impact on the environment through initiatives like our RePawpose Program.
I also wanted the name to be fun and approachable, something that resonates with people who love their pets like family but also care about giving back and supporting a sustainable, community-minded brand. That combination of joy, playfulness, and purpose was what ultimately inspired the name Pawty Animals.
- What is unique about your business?
Pawty Animals is the first of its kind in Canada to create sustainable dog toys with unique, parody designs.
Additional to this, we have ensured that all of our materials within the business are eco friendly, from our shipping tape down to the packing label. We go beyond just creating dog toys—our products are eco-friendly, and made from recycled and repurposed materials.
Our RePawpose Program is a standout feature, encouraging pet owners to recycle old dog toys, reducing waste and contributing to a circular economy. This focus on sustainability sets us apart, as we’re not just selling toys—we’re fostering a movement toward environmentally-conscious pet care.
Additionally, our Rescues of the Month Program supports animal rescues, giving back to the community and helping pets in need. By aligning our business with values of sustainability and giving back, we’re able to create a meaningful impact, which resonates with pet owners who care about more than just a product—they care about making a difference.
We also offer custom dog toys for businesses, like hotels, wineries, and breweries, which brings a personalized touch to the pet products we create, working with well-known brands such as Fairmont Hotel and Sandbanks Winery. This blend of creativity, sustainability, and community impact is what makes Pawty Animals truly special.
- What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about yourself through your entrepreneurial journey?
The most surprising thing I've learned about myself through my entrepreneurial journey is how deeply committed I am to creating meaningful change beyond just building a business. While I always knew I was passionate about pets and sustainability, I didn't realize how much of my drive would come from wanting to *inspire others to follow the same path. I’ve discovered that I thrive on the idea of paving the way for other businesses to embrace sustainability and give back to their communities.
It’s also been surprising to learn how much resilience and adaptability I have. Entrepreneurship is filled with challenges, but I’ve found that my passion for what I’m building—through initiatives like the RePawpose Program and the Rescues of the Month Program—fuels me to push through setbacks and keep innovating. The journey has shown me that I’m not just driven by profit, but by the purpose of leaving a positive mark on the pet industry and the world.
- What’s the best piece of advice you would give to another entrepreneur?
Plan ahead as much as you can before making the decision to become an entrepreneur. It is an extremely challenging and scary journey, and try to network with other entrepreneurs as much as possible before starting your business to get all the advice you can, or listen to audiobooks of all the things you should do before starting your business.
Make sure you have a really good WHY. Starting a business is not easy, so you should have a really strong reason why you are doing what you doing to keep you motivated through all the hard times.
Don’t quit your job to start a business unless you have the funds to support yourself, for years.
Don’t use your savings or personal money to start your business if you can avoid it. Try to plan out your financials ahead of time to forecast how much capital you will need to start your business, and how much you will need to maintain your personal life and try to get bank loans or investments for your business needs.
Apply for loans and credit cards BEFORE you quit your job and start your business as no one tells you that banks do not care who you are until you are bringing in hundreds of thousands of dollars and have a lot of credit behind you, so you will be denied most loans or only qualify for super high-interest loans if you have no secure income coming in.
Expect to not pay yourself for years, so plan ahead to have an additional source of income, or savings.
Apply for trademarks on day 1 as they can take years to get approved.
Network and find mentors and other like-minded business owners. Don’t try to do it alone, and try to find accountability groups, business groups, business courses, cohorts, anything that gets you in the room with experts and other new business owners where you can learn and network with other people.
Pivot and always learn. You can plan to run your business one way, but then based on the changing market or customer needs, you may have to constantly pivot and roll with it. Don’t be stuck in your ways, be open always, and don’t be afraid to try new things. Accept help.
Be okay with failure. It is inevitable, scary, daunting, and demotivating, but it will happen. You will spend money carelessly, lose money on marketing, hire the wrong people, get locked out of your google ads account, lose a great client, the list goes on. Being a perfectionist is a business owner's best and worst asset, but learning to be okay with failure, and knowing that we all fail and make mistakes and struggle to stay motivated, but you have to keep pushing to know that eventually it will all pay off, it just might take longer than you expected.
- What do you hope to achieve through the Starter Company Plus program?
Through the Starter Company Plus program, I hope to achieve a stronger foundation for scaling Pawty Animals and expanding the impact of our eco-friendly, sustainable pet products. My goal is to gain valuable insights into how to further develop our business plan and model, streamline operations, and increase brand awareness across Canada and beyond.
I also hope to expand our partnerships, particularly through initiatives like the RePawpose Program, where we can collaborate with more organizations to reduce waste and promote sustainability. By leveraging the resources and mentorship available in the program, I aim to strengthen our ability to give back to the community through the Rescues of the Month Program, while also learning how to maximize our reach.
Ultimately, I want to use the program to pave the way for growth and innovation, ensuring that Pawty Animals continues to lead the way in combining fun, sustainability, and social responsibility in the pet industry.
Explore Pawty Animals Today
To learn more about Kara Wardinger and Pawty Animals, you can reach out via email at support@pawtyanimals.ca or head to their website: www.pawtyanimals.ca. Follow Pawty Animals on social media to stay informed about their services.
X (Twitter): https://x.com/PawtyAnimalsCA
Instagram: @pawtyanimals
Facebook: @Pawty Animals
Learn More About the Starter Company Plus Program
To learn more about the Starter Company Plus program, reach out to the Small Business Centre of Barrie, Simcoe County & Orillia today at smallbusiness@barrie.ca or 705-720-2445.