At just 8 years old, Ava Dorsey turned a childhood idea into what is now one of the most inspiring brands in pet nutrition: Ava’s Pet Palace.
Her journey has been about more than building a business — it’s about reshaping the way pet parents think about treats, proving that clean, simple, and sustainable choices can come from the bold vision of a teen entrepreneur.
Today, Ava is not only leading her brand with creativity and courage but also inspiring a new generation of change makers in the pet industry.
In this conversation, we go beyond the products to learn more about her journey, her values, and her vision for the future.
Ava, thank you so much for being here! Before we talk business, could you share a little about who you are outside of work?
Outside of work, I’m honestly just a regular teen, well now technically an adult, which still feels kind of funny to say.
I love hanging out with my family, walking my dog Lacy, and spending time with my friends. I really enjoy baking, especially desserts. I love it. There’s something so relaxing about being in the kitchen and seeing a bunch of simple ingredients turn into something amazing. That’s definitely where my creativity started because I’ve always liked making things from scratch and seeing people or pets enjoy them.
Besides, I also love music, traveling when I can, and just having fun doing the things that make me happy.
Can you take us back to when you were 8 years old and first dreamed up Ava’s Pet Palace?
When I was 8 years old, I started noticing a difference between what my family ate and what our pets ate. My mom always bought organic foods and paid attention to ingredients for us, but when I looked at the back of my dog’s treat bag, I couldn’t even pronounce half of the ingredients. It made me wonder why there wasn’t something better. So I got curious. I asked my parents a lot of questions and started researching. Eventually, I decided to start baking my own treats right in our kitchen using simple, real ingredients. I sold them at local events, then online, and from there, Ava’s Pet Palace just grew.
Before that, when I was 6, I made a drawing called “Ava’s Job Plan.” My mom still has it, and it’s also on our website. It was a full sketch of Ava’s Pet Palace before it even existed, with floors for all kinds of things for pets like a rescue, a restaurant, a store, and more. I think that drawing was my first blueprint for what I wanted to create, even though I didn’t realize it at the time. It shows how long I’ve been dreaming about helping animals and creating a world where they’re loved, cared for, and celebrated.
It wasn’t an overnight thing at all. I remember sitting at the kitchen table with my mom, labeling bags by hand and packaging treats together. I was just a kid with a big idea, but I loved every part of it. Looking back now, it’s wild to think how that little idea turned into something that reaches pets all across the country.
What made Ava Dorsey want to step into the pet food space at such a young age?
To be honest, what made me want to start a pet treat business was really just love. I’ve always loved animals, literally since I could walk. My mom often tells people that I started walking at 8 months old, and she swears it was only so I could get to the cats and dogs. That’s how much I loved animals.
Growing up, I was always around pets, and they’ve always been part of my world. So when I realized that their treats and food weren’t made with the same care as the food we ate, I wanted to change that. It didn’t matter that I was only 8 years old. I felt like if I cared enough and worked hard, I could help make things better for them.
Did you always see yourself as an entrepreneur, or did that passion grow once the idea came along?
I think the entrepreneur in me came out once I saw people actually buying my treats and loving them. And, at that time, I started realizing that I could turn my passion into something that could grow.
Though I didn’t fully understand what it meant to be an entrepreneur at that age, yet I knew I liked creating, problem-solving, and seeing my ideas come to life. That’s when I knew this was something I wanted to keep doing.
We are curious — how did the idea for freeze-dried treats for dogs and cats first click for you?
The idea for freeze-dried treats came from wanting to grow my brand while staying true to what I started. I wanted something that was simple, nutritious, and could work for both dogs and cats.
Freeze-drying is such a cool process because it removes moisture but keeps all the nutrients and flavor. It’s pure protein, and pets absolutely love it. It was a natural next step for us because it kept the same promise we’ve always made, clean ingredients and nothing artificial.
Starting a business is never easy. What were some of the biggest challenges Ava Dorsey faced in bringing her vision to life?
Starting and growing a business has been an amazing journey but definitely not an easy one.
One of the hardest parts has been being young in an adult industry. A lot of times, people look at me and assume I don’t know what I’m doing or that my business is just a hobby. There were times when people didn’t take me seriously simply because of my age. But I learned to let my work speak for itself.
Another challenge has been learning everything as I go. From figuring out packaging and shipping to managing inventory and balancing school at the same time, I’ve had to grow up fast in some ways. There are late nights, long days, and a lot of trial and error. But every single challenge taught me something important. It taught me to be resilient, to ask for help, and to trust my instincts.
We imagine family support was a huge part of Ava Dorsey's journey. How did your family help you shape the business?
My family has been my foundation. My mom and I run the business together full-time, and she’s the heart of our operations. She handles so much, from business strategy and emails to helping plan events, manage our team, and keep everything organized. She’s been my biggest supporter and role model since day one.
My dad helps out with logistics and events, and my siblings are a part of it too. My younger sisters and brother inspire me because they get to see firsthand what’s possible when you dream big and stick with it.
And then there’s Lacy, our rescue pup, who’s basically our Chief Taste Tester. My family’s support has made all of this possible. It’s not just my business, it’s really a family business.
You’ve built your brand around clean ingredients and transparency. Why was that so important to you?
Clean ingredients and transparency are what we’ve built everything on.
Pets can’t read labels, so it’s up to us to make sure what they eat is safe, healthy, and made with real ingredients. Every recipe we make follows the same rule, if we couldn’t eat it ourselves, we wouldn’t give it to our pets. That’s how we build trust with our customers.
How do you go about creating and testing recipes to make sure they’re both safe and delicious?
When we create new treats, it always starts with choosing simple, real ingredients that pet parents recognize and trust.
From there, we work closely with our partners to make sure every product meets our standards for quality, nutrition, and safety. I care a lot about how each treat looks, feels, and tastes because I want it to be something both pets and parents love.
Of course, Lacy still plays the most important role as our taste tester. If she doesn’t approve, it never makes it to our customers. Everything we make is crafted with care, consistency, and a whole lot of love.
From your perspective, what makes Ava’s Pet Palace different from other pet treat brands out there?
Ava’s Pet Palace is different because we’re mission-driven, community-focused, and built with heart. We’re not just another pet treat brand. We care deeply about pets, their parents, and the planet.
Every decision we make, from sourcing to packaging, is made with purpose. Our treats are made with 7 ingredients or less and we use packaging that includes recycled materials.
Beyond that, we care about representation and impact. I’m proud that we’re a Black-owned, youth-led brand in an industry that doesn’t always have a lot of people who look like me. We also give back to rescues, shelters, and pet parents in need through our Pay What You Can program and other initiatives.
Thus, it’s about more than treats. It’s about creating positive change for pets and people.
You’ve been featured in some major media outlets. How did that recognition impact you and your brand?
Media recognition has been encouraging, mostly because it helps more pet parents discover our story and try our treats. It gave us credibility with new customers and opened doors for partnerships and events. I stay grounded by focusing on the messages we get from pet parents who say their dog or cat is obsessed. That feedback means the most, and it reminds me to keep building with purpose.
Community seems to be a big part of your story. What role has their support played in your growth?
Our community means absolutely everything to me. The Palace Squad has been there since the very beginning. They’ve supported me through every launch, every challenge, and every new idea. They share photos of their pets, leave reviews, and help spread the word in ways I could never do alone.
It’s more than a customer base. It’s a community built on love for pets and a shared belief in feeding them better. Every time I meet a customer at an event or see a post from someone across the country feeding our treats to their dog or cat, it reminds me why I started. They’re a part of the Palace family, and I’ll always be grateful for that.
Looking back so far, which milestone makes Ava Dorsey feel the proudest?
The milestone that made me the proudest will always be getting into my first stores. I still remember the feeling when DIY Doggie Wash and three Bentley’s Pet Stuff stores decided to carry my treats. That was a huge moment for me. I went from baking and selling online to seeing my products on real store shelves. I couldn’t believe it.
And, I remember going to the store with my family just to see the display in person. It made everything feel real. That was the moment I realized this could be something so much bigger than just me.
In your opinion, what is the pet food industry still missing right now?
I think the pet industry still needs more diversity, more transparency, and more brands that truly care. There’s so much room for innovation and honesty. I want to see more founders who represent different backgrounds and more products that put pets’ health and happiness first.
Do you see pet parents changing how they shop — especially when it comes to healthier treat options?
Yes, pet parents are definitely changing how they shop. They’re more aware of ingredients and more intentional about what they buy. They’re asking the same questions I asked when I was 8. What’s actually in this, and why? People want clean, natural, and sustainable treats, and they’re willing to support brands that align with their values. It’s amazing to see that shift happening.
What advice would Ava Dorsey share with other young entrepreneurs who want to make their mark in the pet industry?
My advice to young entrepreneurs is to always lead with passion. There will be hard days, and not everything will go as planned. You’ll face rejection, frustration, and moments where you doubt yourself. But if you love what you do, that passion will push you through the tough times.
Don’t wait to be ready. You’ll never have all the answers at the beginning, and that’s okay. Learn as you go, be open to feedback, and remember that every mistake is just a lesson. Keep your vision clear, stay consistent, and never forget why you started. Passion is what will keep you going when everything else feels hard.
In the next five years, I see Ava’s Pet Palace continuing to grow our retail presence and expanding our impact even more. One thing I’m really proud of is our new 501(c)(3) nonprofit, With Love, Ava.
Through it, we’ll be able to donate treats and resources to shelters, rescues, and pet parents in need. Giving back has always been a part of who we are, and now we can do it on an even bigger scale.
I also see us reaching more pets through partnerships, new product lines, and our growing community. I want Ava’s Pet Palace to keep proving that a small, family-run, youth-founded brand can make a big difference.
Are there any exciting new products or expansions you’re currently working on that you can share?
Well, I can’t share too many details yet, but let’s just say we’ve got some exciting things in the works. There are new products, collaborations, and ideas that I can’t wait to bring to life. You’ll have to wait and see what’s next, but it’s going to be fun.
How do you hope your brand will influence the future direction of the pet industry?
I hope Ava’s Pet Palace inspires people of all ages to chase their dreams and create something meaningful. I want to show that it doesn’t matter how young you are. If you care about something and work hard, you can make a difference.
For the pet industry, I hope we keep moving toward more transparency, more diversity, and more heart. Pets give us unconditional love, and they deserve that same love in return. That’s what I’ll keep standing for with Ava’s Pet Palace.
Thank you, Ava Dorsey, for sharing your inspiring journey and valuable insights with us.
Your story is a reminder that age is never a barrier when passion and purpose lead the way. From sketching ideas as a child to shaping a nationally recognized brand, you continue to show that innovation in the pet industry can come from unexpected places — and inspire countless others along the way.
We can’t wait to see where Ava’s Pet Palace goes next, and we’re certain your vision will keep raising the bar for pets, people, and the planet.
To learn more about Ava’s Pet Palace and discover other inspiring pet businesses, visit the Business Intros section on PETBIZS
