Check Out Social Events For Dogs And Their Owners – Dragons’ Den

In the fast-paced world of start-ups, Pop and Bark have introduced an innovative approach to pet-friendly socialising that has caught the attention of both pet lovers and investors. Founders James Morgan and Anushka Fernando have successfully tapped into a previously underexplored market, creating events that cater to dogs and their owners, whilst simultaneously harnessing the power of social media to expand their reach and influence.

Their appearance on the popular business show, Dragons’ Den, was a crucial moment for the fledgling company. However, disagreements over equity stakes resulted in an unexpected outcome.

As we delve into the journey of Pop and Bark, it’s worth examining how this venture is reshaping the pet industry and what the future might hold for them.

Key Takeaways

• Pop and Bark started as a result of their pug Bertie’s spinal operation, highlighting the couple’s passion for dogs and their well-being.
• The business model of Pop and Bark revolves around organising doggy cafes and events, with each event costing around £500 and generating an average turnover of £5,000.
• Pop and Bark’s success with the Corgi Cafe, which had a waiting list of 400 people and a turnover of £15,000, demonstrates the potential for expansion into different brands and markets.
• The company effectively utilises social media platforms like TikTok for promotion and has a strong presence on social media, attracting media coverage and appealing to a wide audience.

Pop and Bark’s Origin Story

Once upon a time, in a quaint little village nestled in the heart of the countryside, there lived two extraordinary dogs named Pop and Bark. These lovable canines were known throughout the land for their remarkable abilities and unwavering loyalty.

Pop, a spirited and energetic Jack Russell terrier, possessed an uncanny talent for popping balloons with his sharp teeth. He could effortlessly burst balloons of all shapes and sizes, much to the amazement and delight of everyone who witnessed his impressive skills.

On the other hand, Bark, a gentle and wise Beagle, had an extraordinary gift for communicating with trees. He could understand the language of the ancient oaks and elms, exchanging secrets and stories with these majestic

The beginning of Pop and Bark can be traced back to a personal situation when James Morgan and Anushka Fernando were inspired to start the venture after their beloved pug, Bertie, underwent a spinal operation. This distressing experience led them to create a community for dog owners to connect and support one another.

Their first event was a Pug Cafe, a unique social experience for pugs and their owners. Taking advantage of the success of their initial event, they expanded their offerings to include doggy discos and parties under different brands.

With each event costing around £500 to organize, the average turnover of £5,000 demonstrates a promising start.

Their ambition is to expand further, using their successful Corgi Cafe as a platform to enter the American market.

Business Model and Future Goals

Harnessing their initial success, Pop and Bark have developed a business model centred on organising unique, engaging events for dogs and their owners. The company’s efforts focus on creating memorable experiences through doggy cafes and events, with an average event turnover of £5,000 against a setup cost of £500.

The enterprise has also experienced significant success with particular brands, notably the Corgi Cafe, which generated a turnover of £15,000 and attracted a waiting list of 400 people.

Looking forward, Pop and Bark have ambitious plans. They aim to utilise the Corgi Cafe’s platform to broaden their reach into the American market, thereby expanding their brand and continuing to transform the social lives of dogs and their owners.

Social Media Strategy and Impact

In the realm of digital marketing, Pop and Bark have effectively utilised social media platforms to promote their unique events and establish a strong online presence.

1. Platform Selection: They have opted for Instagram and TikTok, platforms renowned for their visual content, which perfectly showcase their delightful doggy events.
2. Content Creation: Their events are designed to be ‘Instagrammable’, providing their audience with captivating content to share, resulting in a ripple effect of promotion.
3. Audience Engagement: By creating opportunities for attendees to take photos at their events, they encourage them to share their experiences, thereby enhancing brand visibility.
4. Future Plans: Although TikTok’s potential has not been fully realised, Pop and Bark acknowledge its worth and intend to increase their presence on the platform, potentially reaching a broader audience.

Financial Performance Over the Years

Whilst their savvy use of social media has certainly played a significant role in their success, an examination of Pop and Bark’s financial performance over the years provides a more comprehensive view of their business growth and resilience.

Over the past five years, Pop and Bark has demonstrated a robust financial trajectory. In their first year, they broke even with a turnover of £27,000. Their financial momentum gained pace in the second year, with a turnover of £84,000 and a net profit of £30,000.

The third year saw further growth, with a turnover of £101,000 and a net profit of £40,000. Despite a downturn due to the pandemic in the fourth year, the company projects a strong rebound with an expected turnover of £185,000 and a net profit of £88,000 in the current year.

Negotiations and Outcome in Dragons’ Den

Venturing into the fiery den of the Dragons, Pop and Bark founders, Anushka and James, found themselves in the midst of intense negotiations for their business investment.

1. They initially faced a challenging offer from Tuka Suliman who sought a hefty 25% stake, rendering it unacceptable.
2. Enter Steven Bartlett, offering a slightly better deal at 20% equity – still four times more than their initial proposal.
3. Anushka, determined, suggested negotiating Steven’s stake down to 15%, hoping to find a middle ground.
4. However, the negotiation concluded without any investment, leaving the duo to continue their venture independently.

The Dragons’ Den experience was a rollercoaster for the founders, but it left them with valuable insights which they will undoubtedly use to fuel their future endeavours.