St. Louis is known for being a great place for entrepreneurs, drawing in startups and co-founders from all across the country. We wanted to highlight a recent SLU grad, Henry Matus, who has made a pet nutrition startup of his own: Bark n Sniff!
What was your inspiration for starting Bark n Sniff?
I am a 2x brain cancer survivor, and while in the hospital I learned a shocking statistic from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA); due to the chemicals and pesticides found in today's dog foods, 50% of dogs over age 10 will develop some type of cancer. This motivated me to want better nutrition for our pets. 2.5 years and over 100 formula trials later, the Bark n Sniff formula was created.
Tell us more about what you sell. What superfoods are in the seasoning and how do they help immune, digestive, and skin health?
We like to call our formula “pawsitively barkelicious" because it's delicious but also nutritious for dogs. Out of the 6 ingredients, 5 are organic. Our first ingredient is beef liver, which is the healthiest organ you can feed your dog- it has twice the protein of chicken! Our next ingredient is turmeric, which has anti-inflammatory properties and immune booster antioxidants. Carob powder, ceylon cinnamon, carrot powder, and chia seeds follow with benefits like heart health, antimicrobial properties, omegas, protein, and fiber.
How can you use Bark n Sniff seasoning?
Bark n Sniff is a superfoods powder that you can sprinkle on your pet's food or bake into delicious treats! Here is a recipe for beef and brown rice veggie medley made by a customer:
3lbs ground beef (or other meat)
2 cups rinsed brown rice
2 cups bone broth (or water)
24 oz frozen vegetables
1 cup water
2 tbsp coconut oil
Bark n Sniff superfood seasoning
In an instant pot, brown the meat. Add rice and bone broth, then cook for about 12 minutes. Stir in the veggies, water, and coconut oil, then cook until the veggies are soft. Sprinkle in Bark n Sniff seasoning and you're done!
Tell us more about your partnership with CareSTL
I grew up with dogs so I know how special they are. I was born and raised in St. Louis and I knew about the great community of dog-lovers we have! I wanted to seek out a solid community of dog owners and connect them with people that help dogs around the city. A portion of each product bought at Bark n Sniff goes straight to CareSTL. CareSTL, a no-kill shelter, is a great company because they have a holistic approach to dog rescue. They learn how each dog behaves and then place them where they would be most happy. It's the match.com of animal rescue. No wonder there is (about) a 100% success rate!
What is your favorite part of owning Bark n Sniff and how has SLU prepared you for this venture?
The best part of owning a startup is being the "owner" of my own destiny. I have had this dream for a while and it is amazing to see it all happen. Learning from other entrepreneurs is also a cool thing and SLU has given me a lot of connections in the startup world. I owe a lot to my education at SLU and the vast opportunities given. The entrepreneurship club and Billiken valley laid the groundwork to meet so many incredible people and taught me real-life experiences. The classes in the business school have a diversified curriculum that made me try new things to see what I was good at and what I liked.
You can find Bark n Sniff on instagram, facebook, and by visiting their website (we highly recommend)!
Thanks for letting us speak with you, Henry! We loved learning more about Bark n Sniff and how it can benefit pet nutrition!