Spotlight: Secondhand Pet Supply
Secondhand Pet Supply promotes reuse, upcycling and recycling within the pet industry. It accepts donations from the community – individuals and business partners. Everything gets cleaned sustainably, thanks to their cleaning sponsor Spin Laundry Lounge. “We partner with Moda Center and Oregon Convention Center to create pet toys, jackets, beds and other items. Our goal is to promote reuse and to find sustainable solutions for products that are made brand new. We hire local workers and use sustainably sourced materials.” shared Michael, the owner.
The business recently relocated from the Lloyd Center to Parkrose Plaza in NE Portland (5079 NE 112nd Ave, Portland OR 97230). They are currently operating at full capacity and will be holding a grand opening celebration soon. The non-profit welcomes donations or volunteers. Visit the website for more details.
How do you feel Portland shapes or influences your organization?
Michael: Portland shapes Secondhand Pet Supply because it has a huge pet community and a culture that prioritizes sustainability.
If you could go back to the beginning, what would you have done differently?
Michael: Nothing. Everything with this business has fallen into place – things happened when they were supposed to because I truly believe this is what I am meant to do.
What was the non-profit’s path?
Michael: We started on Facebook marketplace – with everything stored in my closet. Then we did our first pop-up in Vancouver at Kindred, then continued with in Pop-up Local Vancouver. Eventually, I had an opportunity to have a physical location in the Lloyd Center. I was there for three years as the business grew from a closet full of things to two entire storefronts: one a former Lids and the second a former Journeys storefront that I used for storage. We relocated to a new location on 122nd in March and opened the second week of April. I have been working seven days a week for so long to get this done. It has been a lot of 4 a.m. nights to get this new storefront ready.
What is your favorite part about running an organization?
Michael: My favorite part is being my own boss. I have always wanted to be my own boss because it is so frustrating when leadership makes poor decisions and isn’t able to listen to others because of their status in the company. I also really enjoy helping the community. Nothing is better than getting the right thing for someone who’s shopping for their pet. The best feeling is when you help them find an answer to a problem that they have been struggling with. For example, if a cat escapes a cat harness and we are able to find the right harness so that no longer happens or if we are able to help tortoise owners get the heat climate support needed to keep the tortoise at the right temperature.
What has been your biggest success to date?
Michael: The amount of waste that we have prevented has been my biggest success. Approximately, we have diverted at least 100,000 pounds of waste from the landfill. This includes store displays and shelving that we have saved from being thrown away when companies have gone out of business!
What has been your biggest challenge?
Michael: Fundraising and marketing have been the biggest challenges. I am trying to hire a work-study student for fundraising and marketing. Secondhand Pet Supply is a non-profit, which allows us avenues to fundraise not open to for-profit businesses. Fundraising really needs someone who is dedicated to the process. A lot of the fundraising comes from individual donors and events. It is a full-time job on top of running the business side of things.
What's your best advice for someone who wants to start or run their own organization?
Michael: Make sure when you are starting a business that it is the path of least resistance. When you are on the right path, things fall into place. When things feel too hard, with too many loans or costs, stop before you fall into too much debt. Before you even start your business, work on your business plan and have it evaluated by other successful business owners. Prioritize time off. Actually, that is equally as important as finding the path of least resistance. If you do not have time off, you will burn out. Planned time off is very important and you should never feel guilty about it.
