Mark Smith
SwiftPaws is an American manufacturer and pet health and wellness brand. We believe pets deserve to live their very best lives and our playful enrichment products help them both mentally and physically.
Tell us about yourself?
I have always loved animals and I spend a lot of my time trying to give my pets the best lives they can possibly have. I’ve worked with dog behaviorists and trainers, collaborated with zoos on enrichment for cheetahs and other species, and have countless hours developing and using SwiftPaws products. I’m thrilled to be able to bring enrichment, exercise, and fun to pets and their humans everywhere with SwiftPaws.
If you could go back in time a year or two, what piece of advice would you give yourself?
I’d tell myself that I’m on the right track, to keep pushing for what I know is right, and even though you think you’re already doing it, soak up every spare moment with your pup, Pretzel, because losing your best friend in May of 2021 is going to be the hardest thing you’ve ever been through.
What problem does your business solve?
We feel guilty when we don’t have enough time for our pets, SwiftPaws products help by giving pets both mental and physical enrichment in a short period of time and the interactive nature of our products mean you’ll be strengthening your bond with your pet at the same time!
What is the inspiration behind your business?
My late pup, Pretzel, was the inspiration for it all. As a recent college grad in 2011 I was looking for things I could do with my pup. I discovered the sport of lure coursing and after realizing there was nowhere to try it near me, and that equipment cost thousands of dollars, I ended up making a machine with the help of my dad. Pretzel absolutely loved chasing around the flag, and the rest is history.
What is your magic sauce?
SwiftPaws is currently the only product of it’s kind made especially for home use. We believe that our secret sauce lies in our unwavering dedication to our customers (the dogs, of course!). We partner with amazing local resources whenever possible, we’re transparent with our community, and we strive to give the best possible customer support. Pup chewed up your remote? We’ve got a new one already on it’s way to you 😉
What is the plan for the next 5 years? What do you want to achieve?
SwiftPaws is wholly focused on enrichment. I imagine a world where our pet’s mental wellness is as much a focus as their nutrition or medical care. Too often I hear people talk about the negative sides of a pet’s mental wellness (they have separation anxiety, they are destructive, digging, barking, etc.). Mental and physical wellbeing go hand in hand, and I believe that engaging with our pets and providing them with stimulating, novel enrichment is a critically important part of their overall health.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far?
The current supply chain turmoil has been a huge challenge. We’ve never had more demand for our products and with some lead times exceeding a year it’s been tough trying to stay ahead of it.
How do people get involved/buy into your vision?
Our public community group on Facebook is where we openly interact, share new prototypes, offer early access to certain products, and cheer on our fellow pet parents. You can check it out and join the pack here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/swiftpawscommunity
You can also show us love by following us on Instagram, Tiktok, Youtube, or Pinterest
