Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonathan Rivera.
Jonathan, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
A few years ago, I was mountain biking far from home with Mojo, my dog and best friend. Mojo suddenly stepped on a broken glass bottle that left him bleeding severely and left me with limited time, transportation or options to get him to a vet. So, in a spark of creativity fueled by my great love for Mojo, I pulled my shirt over my head to create a ‘cubby’ for Mojo and carried him that way while riding my bicycle to the closest pet clinic. It was a close call, but Mojo survived because I was able to rush him there. This led to an “aha” moment and I decided to start a passionate journey towards creating the ultimate dog carrier for daily biking, hiking, skiing, walking or any other activity, not just when injured or in an emergency. I decided to partner with an entrepreneur friend of mine, Daniel Chavez, who graduated from Stanford University and has created several successful businesses; he funded the venture and we got started. Today, Ruffit USA dog carriers, also branded as Pet Motion, are the #1 Selling Dog Carriers in the world and the only ones with design and utility patents issued. Ruffit USA and Pet Motion dog carriers are the best looking, safest and most comfortable dog carriers in the world.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
We are essentially creating a new product category, because before Ruffit USA there were no back-pack style dog carriers, only purse-style carriers. We initially had to go through hundreds manufacturing prototypes to finally get it right and we continue to improve the product year after year. In this sense, that aim towards perfection will be a never-ending journey.
Once people use our carrier, they fall in love with it and wish they had gotten one sooner. So, our challenge in this sense is getting more people to see our product and experience it. And, because we are a young company most people still do not know we exist. We will continue to work hard to create more awareness, because ultimately the biggest winners are all the amazing and lovable dogs who would be so thrilled to experience life in a new way.
Ruffit USA – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We invented the back-pack style dog carrier and manufacture the best-looking, safest, most comfortable dog carriers in the world. We are also the only fully patented (design and utility) dog carrier. We offer the highest quality product that looks better, but most importantly, provides a much better ride for your dog. Our competitors basically make sacks where the dog’s legs are squeezed and make them with fabrics that don’t breathe. Our design has a curve that allows the dog’s entire body to rest and it has side ventilation as well as a harness structure to secure the dog’s back. The result is, that the dog is fully ventilated while resting in a comfortable position. The human example would be to compare squatting inside a barrel vs. sitting on a first-class airplane seat.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
At Ruffit USA, we feel successful every time a four-legged family member is able to experience something great that would have been impossible otherwise.
And while we look at growth and profitability as important trackers of financial success to ensure long term viability of our business, our true passion is to liberate our K9 best friends from boredom and from being left alone.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.RuffitUSA.com
- Email: care@ruffitusa.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruffitdogcarriers/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RuffitUSA/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ruffit_usa
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