Makers Series: Finley’s Barkery

Location: Minneapolis, MN | Specialty: Dog Treats

© Finley’s

Rarely are we so moved by a company’s mission, and commitment to that mission, as we were by Finley’s. They’re nothing short of a model company, and their story is one of the best we’ve ever heard.

Admittedly, what first drew us to Finley’s was their all-natural, deliciously-flavored dog treats (in case you don’t follow us on Instagram, Alex tried one in a video and confirmed that it was delicious).

We very quickly realized there is much more to Finely’s than the quality of their treats. Most significantly is that a whopping 50% of profits go to supporting people with disabilities—FIFTY PERCENT! Let’s take a moment and daydream what the world would look like if every company donated 50% of their profits…

Such a huge give-back to the community is practically unheard of. Co-founders and husband and wife team Angie and Kyle Gallus were special education teachers prior to starting Finley’s, so their dedication to the case is both deep and personal.

With such a commitment to creating a better future, they were one of the easiest brands to add to our shop. Their baked goods make wonderful gifts for your doggos, and as a bonus, you can feel darn good about where your money is going. 

Below is our conversation with Angie about Finley’s and their cause. 👇

© Finley’s

Abby (Willinglee)
We read your story about how you were both in education before starting Finley's. Can you talk more about that transition into starting your business?

Angie Gallus (Finley’s)
Finley’s was created after a classroom concept I had back in 2010. I noticed some of my special education students did not have the work skills they were going to need to get a job after high school. I wrote a grant through Education Minnesota and was able to start a dog treat company within my classroom to teach “real-life”  job skills. We would bake three days a week and spend the other two days packaging, delivering the treats, and discussing other work-related skills such as budgeting and money management. I was able to keep it going for three years until my own kids started school and I had to adjust my schedule and leave the high school level.  

Five years later, I was contacted by two former students on a rainy Tuesday night. They asked, “When can we bake with you again?” So, on Valentine’s Day of 2016, we dug out the old recipes and made dog treats in our home. After seeing the potential and talents of two former students who were now young adults and unemployed, we decided we needed to do something to make a change.

Abby
That is amazing! What a beautiful story. I love how it came back 5 years later, reintroduced by former students—it was truly meant to be! Your mission to employ and represent people with disabilities is heartening and so important.

Angie Gallus
As former special education teachers, we knew the potential of people of all abilities. When we saw the statistics that 26% of Americans (or 61 million people) live with a disability and experience an unemployment rate of over 80%, we knew we needed to do something to change that. 

“Five years later, I was contacted by two former students on a rainy Tuesday night. They asked, ‘When can we bake with you again?’.”

© Finley’s

Abby
Yikes. It’s hard to hear that and not feel moved to help. And it’s a beautiful thing that people can help doing something as simple as purchasing dog treats from you. We’ve got to ask: what's been the most rewarding moment for you?

Angie Gallus
Being able to provide meaningful work experiences to people who have never had a job opportunity before. Nothing is more rewarding than seeing the smile on the faces of our team members when they are given a chance to have a job. Also, growing our corporate advocacy presence by presenting to large corporations like TARGET and Petco Ability Networks on the importance of Inclusion in the workplace. 

Abby
I love that you are spreading the good word to larger corporations. A change is most certainly needed there. What was it like starting Finley's? Do you mind telling us about the early days? What did research and development look like for the dog treats? Who were your first customers?

Angie Gallus
The early days were tough and rewarding all at the same time. Kyle and I would teach all day, run home and mix up twelve batches of dough in our home Kitchenaid mixer, toss the dough in big bins and bring it to our commissary kitchen to cut dog treats with our original cutting team on Tuesday and Thursday nights. We would then sell the treats on weekends at local brewery events and dog-friendly community events. The recipes were all the original flavors we had made at the high school. With some help from a local friend who is a chef, we were able to develop some new options as well.

© Finley’s

In April of 2017, we were fortunate to have Ashton Kutcher share our video about our company on his social media platforms as “A business anyone can get behind.” Once this happened, we saw an increase in orders, and our baking went from two nights a week to six. It was at that time we realized, if we were going to scale the company and continue to follow our mission, we would need to find some help to make the treats. Upon finding our amazing manufacturing partners, we were able to pivot our business model. Instead of making the treats, our team members became the face of our company, working out in the community doing our in-store retail demos, sales, and advocacy presentations. 

Abby
I knew a chef was involved with these treats! They’re too good! So great to hear that Ashton Kutcher shared your video. That was all the spark that was needed to get it firing on all cylinders. What has been the most difficult or unexpected thing about being small business owners?

Angie Gallus
As a husband/wife team and former teachers with no business experience, we have faced many challenges. We have had to work very hard to gain trust in the pet industry but with the help of our amazing partners, this is happening each day.

© Finley’s

“Nothing is more rewarding than seeing the smile on the faces of our team members when they are given a chance to have a job.”

Abby
Any advice for someone who might be interested in starting their own business?

Angie Gallus
You have to be ready to work harder than you ever imagined, make sacrifices, take risks and believe in what you are doing by trusting yourself and your passion.

If you are a couple starting a business, find your lane, learn how to support your partner, jump in to help even when it isn’t your lane, and simply give one another grace. There will be hard days, but always come back to your WHY and trust God to bring you through the tough times.

Abby
It is so much work! Trusting your passion and returning to “why” is critical at times. What’s one thing that surprises people about how you manufacture your dog treats?

Angie Gallus
People are always surprised to hear we started out hand cutting the treats. When we look back at where we started, it is amazing to think we were literally in the kitchen baking seven days a week. We also think people are surprised at our limited ingredient panels and how we have stuck to our promise to produce healthy dog treats. 

© Finley’s

“When we look back at where we started, it is amazing to think we were literally in the kitchen baking seven days a week.”

Abby
Baking seven days a week sounds exhausting! It’s amazing how much manual labor goes into the early stages of a business. Regarding the ingredient panel, before Alex ate a treat, we looked at it and thought the same thing! So how do y'all choose the flavors and ingredients for the treats?

Angie Gallus
We always want to keep our brand promise of limited ingredients and healthy treats for our furry customers.  We work with our manufacturers and their R&D (research & development) teams to strategically plan innovation for upcoming products. 

Abby
Finley’s has come so far, we love to hear it. Without giving any secrets away, what's next for the company?

Angie Gallus
We have many good things coming! There will be new products coming, new retailers on board and even more jobs created! A huge thank you to everyone who has supported our mission at Finley’s!

Abby
Thank you so much, Angie, for speaking with us. We’re so excited for the future of Finley’s. Rarely do we discover a brand that we can so easily stand behind. Wishing you all the best as you continue to grow!

If you haven’t purchased Finely’s yet, please do check them out!

© Finley’s

Find more Makers Series on our blog.