Meet Anita Strysky | Owner of Bella’s Barkery NC

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anita Strysky and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anita, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My father owns his own coffee business and I was always intrigued by the idea of becoming an entrepreneur. I am very creative and analytical, which I believe both qualities are needed in order to be successful in running a business. I started making dog treats for my dog, Bella, as I saw a need for locally sourced, soft and chewy dog treats. Bella preferred my homemade treats over store bought treats, which gave me the idea to share these treats with as many dogs as I could while ensuring that the owners will not have to worry about what ingredients their feeding their fur babies.

What should our readers know about your business?
Bella’s Barkery NC is dedicated to deliver locally sourced, all natural tasty dog treats that will assist dogs with living a happy, healthy life with their owners. What sets us apart is how we use locally sourced ingredients to make tasty treats that our pets cannot get enough of. The treats are also very soft which sets us aside from most pet stores that sell hard, icing filled treats with no nutritional value. A lot of dog owners like our treats for their elderly pets as it is easier for them to chew.

Bella’s Barkery NC started out as a vision on an Excel sheet. I was enjoying making the dog treats for my dog, Bella, and noticed how much more she enjoyed my homemade treats vs store bought treats. I wanted to bring that joy and healthy lifestyle to other dogs as well. It was not easy to get the ball rolling on my vision, as I still had a full time job as a data analyst and did not have a lot of awareness around my brand. Over time, through developing personal relationships and using social media, I grew my brand and the demand started picking up for my dog treats.

I have learned a lot about work-life balance and how to financially budget my business so that it is profitable and can continue running. I would love to continue growing Bella’s Barkery NC and offer the highest quality ingredients to all the good doggies out their who deserve a little snack and a long, healthy life with their owners.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Raleigh is a great place to visit for adventure seekers and foodies, Raleigh offers great places for both humans and their dogs to hike. Some of my favorite places to walk my dog are Dorothea Dix Park, Pullen Park, and the William B. Umstead trails. These aren’t just hiking trails, there is a lot of history behind these locations which adds uniqueness when exploring. For example, Dorothea Dix Park used to be a mental health facility and still has the old buildings on site. Pullen Park is the fifth oldest amusement park in the US and the 16th oldest in the world.

For an indoor, family fun activity I recommend ParTee Shack. This is an indoor entertainment venue that takes a twist on mini golfing. They offer unique obstacles just as zip-lining, foosball, a school bus, that get incorporated into your mini gold adventure.

For a romantic date night, ZincHouse Winery and Brewery is the place to go.= for fine wine and craft beers. Live music and food trucks are some of the other highlights of these hidden gem that offers a mountaintop feel.

Raleigh has a wide range of food options, guaranteed to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. Waraji Japanese Restaurant has some of the best sushi in the area and also has a unique dining experience. You can reserve dining in the tatami area where you dine at a low table that is set on tatami mats made of woven straw. They also have the largest sake selection in the Carolinas!

If you’re looking for American food, I recommend MoJoe’s Burger Joint for award winning burgers. This place is family friendly but can have long lines on the weekends. Around the corner you can find the best hot dogs in Raleigh at The Cardinal Bar. This bar is more of a dive bar with a limited menu of hot dogs and chips. They do have a full bar and are open until 2 am for those who want a late night snack.

Lastly, you cannot go wrong with Brigs Great Beginnings. This is a casual NC chain restaurant offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner comfort-food staples. They have amazing coffee as well!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My father Greg Strysky, owner of IPM Coffee, in Pohatcong Township, NJ has shown me throughout the years what it takes to own your own business. As a kid, I would go on coffee deliveries with him on the weekends. This taught me the importance of working hard and growing relationships with others in the community.

Additionally, my Aunt Joan has shown me how to be a strong female entrepreneur and how to use my creativity to spark interests in my products. She is the owner of Sandalwood Shoppes in Leland, NC.

Big Spoon Roasters is a local North Carolina peanut butter provider that has a specific line just for dogs. I always use their products as they have healthy, wholesome ingredients and have a great mission to build a healthier relationship with our planet.

Website: https://bellas-barkery-nc.myshopify.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bellasbarkerync/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bella-s-barkery-nc/?viewAsMember=true

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BellasBarkeryNC/