Aisha Byrd shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Aisha , so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What is a normal day like for you right now?
My day begins with family. I wake up, greet my loved ones, and send my son off with well wishes for a great day at school. Next, it’s time for our furbabies—Nacho, Dorito, and Trixie. We head outside for their morning potty break, followed by a little play and running to start the day with energy and joy.
Back inside, I prepare their breakfast alongside my first cup of coffee. After they’ve eaten, I handle their hygiene routine—brushing teeth, wiping faces, and grooming their coats. With everyone cared for, I finally sit down with my coffee and dive into emails.
Between R&B Dog Bakery, Paws 4 A Cause Pet Food Pantry, and personal correspondence, I manage five email accounts daily. I review orders, begin fulfillment, update our website, adjust calendars, and coordinate meetings. Each day, I also carve out an hour to take care of household tasks before shifting back into business mode.
Evenings are reserved for family. I return home, cook dinner, and enjoy a meal together. Of course, our pups get their dinner too—because just like my business, our home runs on love, care, and full bellies.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Aisha Byrd and I am the CEO and Founder of R&B Dog Bakery, a purpose-driven pet treat company inspired by my beloved dogs, Reese and Benjamin. In December 2005, I was thrilled to celebrate my dog Benjamin’s first birthday and set out to find a dog bakery to order him a special cake. We sang “Happy Birthday,” and Benjamin eagerly dug in. But the next morning, he was vomiting and had severe diarrhea, which led us straight to the vet. After an examination, I learned that Benjamin had a wheat allergy, pancreatitis, and a very sensitive stomach.
That experience sparked my journey of researching ingredients and experimenting with recipes to create healthy, all-natural treats Benjamin could actually enjoy. By the time his second birthday arrived, I had baked him his very own cake—safe, nourishing, and made with love. R&B Dog Bakery started in 2018 at a farmers market and has grown into a retail-ready brand specializing in all-natural, limited-ingredient treats like custom cakes, doggy donuts, and macarons—crafted without fillers, artificial colors, or added sugars. In 2021 I opened the first retail location in Arlington TX,
What makes R&B Dog Bakery truly unique is our mission beyond the bakery and the community impact that we make. Every Thanksgiving we select a local shelter and donate PupsGiving Meals so that all pups can enjoy a special treats. In addition to our community give back initiative I founded Paws 4 A Cause Pet Food Pantry in 2024, which provides dog and cat food to families in need, and R&B Dog Bakery proudly donates 2% of its profits to support that mission.
My journey hasn’t been without challenges—navigating rising costs of goods and the trajectory of the economy —but through programs like Walmart’s Retail Readiness Entrepreneurship Training Program, Intuit IDEAS Program, and the Co Create Pitch 2025 Semi-Finals, I have positioned R&B Dog Bakery as a brand that’s not only growing but also making a lasting impact.
We’re excited to share that in 2025 we successfully completed a rebrand, allowing us to bring our story to life through our packaging while also focusing on sustainability by using recyclable materials. We operate with a Zero Waste initiative, ensuring that all product scraps are either repurposed as treat samples or donated to support pets in need. Today, I am focused on scaling R&B Dog Bakery into additional retailers while creating a socially conscious pet brand that brings people, pets and community together.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
One day, while standing in line at a store, I noticed a man behind me with his dog. On the conveyor belt, he placed a dog toy, some dog food and treats, a bottle of water, and a can of Spam. As the line moved forward, he turned to me and asked if I could spare some money to help him purchase the items. It became clear that he was homeless.
What struck me most was his choice—sacrificing his own needs to ensure his dog had food and care. Moved by his selflessness, I offered to purchase his items and encouraged him to pick out even more food and treats for his dog. That moment deeply touched me. It reminded me that even in difficult circumstances, love and compassion for our pets remain powerful and unwavering.
This experience became a turning point for me. It inspired my commitment to making sure R&B Dog Bakery is not just about healthy, all-natural treats but also about giving back to the community. In 2024, I founded Paws 4 A Cause Pet Food Pantry, an initiative that provides dog and cat food to families in need. Today, R&B Dog Bakery proudly donates 2% of its profits to this organization, ensuring we can continue to make a meaningful impact in the lives of pets and the people who love them.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Was there ever a time I almost gave up? Absolutely.
In the fall of 2024, R&B Dog Bakery faced a decline in sales while the cost of goods continued to rise. Our revenue wasn’t keeping up, and I began to question the vision and passion that had fueled this journey. For the first time, I wondered if it was time to walk away.
I was making a social media post and an ad appeared about the Retail Readiness Program, sponsored by Walmart and powered by the Watson Institute. After reviewing the requirements, I decided to apply. Soon after, I received an interview request—and then the life-changing “Congratulations” email confirming my acceptance.
Becoming part of the 2024–2025 Retail Readiness Entrepreneurship Training Program made a tremendous impact on my business. One of my mentors Jerrica Fletcher even created the opportunity for me to attend my very first Global Pet Expo in Orlando, Florida, where I gained invaluable networking and learning experiences. The program gave me access to knowledge, resources, and mentors who guided me through a successful rebrand and helped position R&B Dog Bakery as a Retail Ready brand—competitive and prepared to grow. I also had the honor of being selected as a Semi-Finalist for the Co Create Pitch 2025 sponsored by Alibaba and was accepted into Intuit I.D.E.A.S program. Both opportunities have provided incredible networking connections and financial resources that continue to support the growth and sustainability of R&B Dog Bakery.
At what felt like my lowest point, when I was ready to give up, God had a different plan. For that, I’m deeply grateful. This journey taught me that while entrepreneurship is never easy, passion and perseverance can carry you through the hardest seasons. When you have a dream, keep pushing—because the breakthrough often comes right after the moment you almost gave up.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies the pet industry tells itself is that pet parents only care about price, not ingredients. The truth is, today’s pet owners are more informed than ever—they read labels, they ask questions, and they want products they can trust.
Another lie is that marketing buzzwords are enough. Labels like “natural” or “healthy” are often used loosely, even when the ingredient list doesn’t match the claim. That creates confusion and erodes trust.
Finally, the industry often convinces itself that profit must come before purpose. But we’ve seen the opposite—brands that lead with transparency, quality, and social impact not only win customer loyalty, they help raise the standard for the entire industry.
At R&B Dog Bakery, we challenge these lies every day by staying true to our values: clean, limited-ingredient recipes, honest storytelling, and a commitment to giving back to our community. We ensure our ingredients are ethically sourced and that we prioritize people, animals and planet first. Because pets—and the people who love them—deserve better.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people will say that I lived with GRIT “Growth, Resilience, Instinct, Tenacity”. I took my love for my dogs and turned it into something bigger—a business that not only created healthy treats, but also build community and give back to families in need.
I want the story to be that I never gave up, even in the hardest moments, and that my journey inspired others to chase their dreams, no matter how impossible they seemed. Most importantly, I want to be remembered for leading with heart—that through R&B Dog Bakery and Paws 4 A Cause, I left behind a legacy of love, impact, and service that made life better for both people, pets and community. I also hope that people talk about the love I showed my family and friends.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rbdogbakery.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rbdogbakery
- Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/aisha-byrd
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rbdogbakery
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/r-and-b-dog-bakery-arlington
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@rbdogbakery9076
