Woman uses internet to expand dog biscuit business

For a lot of local businesses, expansion can be hard because of lack of access to capital. But, a local company has found a way to grow without going to a bank.

Lauren Janis, owner of Big Daddy Biscuits, has to put a limit on the amount of biscuits her dog gets daily. She calls him ‘Fatty Daddy," but his real name is "Big Daddy." He's the inspiration for Big Daddy Biscuits - a small business based out of Janis' home. She started the company three years ago at the suggestion of her family.

"I was sitting with my niece and my nephew and we were talking about what I should do, and they said make dog biscuits. So the next day I went out and literally bought a mixer, started doing research and development and came up with my products," said Janis.

People have been buying her handmade all natural biscuits ever since. In addition to selling out at farmer's markets around the area, Big Daddy Biscuits are now in whole foods stores across Georgia.

"People really like what we're doing. We've got something going on that's pretty good, I think," Janis said.

But, all that growth has made it hard to keep up with the orders. She's outgrown her kitchen and adjoining home office. So she's turning to the website, Smallknot.com, to expand. Smallknot.com is a capital-raising website that lets the public invest in small businesses in their area.  In exchange, you receive goods, services or special perks and benefits.

"It's kind of like you're prepaying for your product to help us grow," said Janis.

Janis is trying to raise $3,500 for high volume production equipment. She's hoping her customers will use smallknot.com to help her. In return, they'll receive deep discounts on delicious dog biscuits, and the satisfaction they've helped out a neighbor.

"If I help them and they help me, it all comes back in one fell swoop. And that's what it's all about in my opinion," said Janis.

So far, Janis has raised a third of what she needs to expand. For more information on Smallknot.com, or if you'd like to invest in Big Daddy Dog Biscuits, click here!