Finding Purpose Through Passion: The Story of K9 CRACK
- Georgie Pulman-Olzaski
- Jan 13
- 6 min read
Updated: Feb 26
Hi Georgie, we’re really happy you were able to join us today. We’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
Like most small businesses, mine started from a deep need. There wasn’t a solution available. In 2007, my husband and I were professional skydivers in Waialua, Hawaii. During this time, we found a mother and her three Pitbull/Rottweiler puppies who were being neglected. They were in terrible condition, with fleas at just six days old—a heartbreaking sight. We worked with their owner to care for the mother and puppies, ensuring they would find good homes. Naturally, one of the puppies chose us to be her new family.
Pit mixes, like Jazzy Jasmine, are generally easy to train if you commit to it. However, every dog parent eventually needs high-quality dog treats that are sugar-free, salt-free, and free from preservatives. At that time, I couldn’t find treats that met these criteria. This was before the grain-free dog treat craze. So, I began making my own using organic ingredients from our fridge. I creatively named them Hawaiian names: Huli Huli Chicken using organic chicken broth, Kalua Pig with real bacon pieces and organic eggs, and Hale’iwa Pizza made with cheddar cheese. Our kitchen constantly smelled delightful, and Jazzy loved the treats. Soon, Annie Suite and Pamela Boyer asked if I wanted to sell my creations at the Hale’iwa Farmers Market. That’s how our small business was born, and we called it HawaiiDoggyStyle—a risky but memorable name.
At the farmers market, I met Terry, the butcher who sold free-range beef products. He suggested making dog treats from beef liver. I confidently replied that I could make dog treats from anything. Note to self: check your arrogance. I had no clue how to handle, cut, or dehydrate a cow’s liver. The liver is about ten pounds and filled with an incredible amount of blood. When I cut into it, blood sprayed all over our kitchen: the walls, and even the ceiling. When my husband returned from work, he thought I had injured myself and asked if I needed to go to the hospital! The scene resembled Monty Python’s “It’s only a flesh wound.” Dehydrating the liver transformed our kitchen from aromatic to horrific!
Despite the chaos, the beef liver treats became a massive hit with dogs. They proved to be a fantastic training treat for even the most distracted dogs, as I didn't use preservatives or fillers. I called these treats K9 Crack because dogs would do anything for them.
In 2014, we relocated to Roseburg, Oregon. Unfortunately, my business suffered a decline, and I became quite depressed since I couldn’t find work. Luckily, my husband encouraged me to pursue a business degree at our local community college. The classes were beneficial and allowed me to rethink my business plan. I decided to focus on single-ingredient dog treats, sourcing from local free-range farmers to support our community. The local SBDC (Small Business Development Center) offered amazing resources and free mentoring that helped me rebrand and relaunch my business in 2019 as K9 CRACK – Single Ingredient Dog Treats. My husband and I are passionate cyclists, and this community helped promote our brand.
Even today, K9 CRACK remains one of the few brands that focuses solely on single-ingredient treats. Educating dog owners about the importance of nutritious treats poses a challenge, as eating well isn’t always affordable. However, as we like to say, “less is more.” With K9 CRACK Liver Stix for training, you only need a small piece because the flavor is intense.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper into your skills and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am dedicated to growing my online business. I aim to spread the word about the importance of providing dogs with a wholesome and nutritious diet by using single-ingredient dog treats. This approach helps K9s maintain a healthy weight, ensures they are active and happy, and reduces vet bills.
At K9 CRACK, we understand that not everyone has the time or resources to feed raw. That's why we offer meal toppers to make your dog's kibble more exciting and nutritious. Adding raw veggies, sweet potatoes, or blueberries transforms an ordinary meal into something special.
We all want our dogs to live forever, as they are vital to our happiness just as we are to theirs. Unfortunately, many dog treats on the market contain sugar, salt, preservatives, and fillers—basically junk—that can harm our dogs' health. Let's not even discuss the dangers of giving your dog rawhide as a treat; it should be banned.
My advice? Always read the label on treat bags. Make sure you aren’t paying for high-calorie, low-nutrition ingredients. Also, confirm that the product is “sourced” and “made in the USA.” Some treats are sourced in China, hidden in the fine print, yet labeled as made in the USA. We have several blogs on our website covering topics like how to read food labels, the differences between freeze-dried and dehydrated treats, and basic dog training using K9 CRACK.
I am always happy to answer questions about our dog treats. We create K9 CRACK because we love our dogs. They are part of our family, and your dog gets only K9 CRACK that my dog and his friends have approved.
I love what I do. It’s the hardest work I have ever undertaken but also the most rewarding. Nutrition is crucial for a healthier, longer, more active life. Staying healthy is much more fun with a dog!
Key Qualities for Success
Looking back, what do you think were the three key qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for those just starting their journey?
Tenacity
If you are passionate about your goals, pursue them wholeheartedly. However, always listen to the Universe. If something isn’t working out, be prepared to change direction. When we moved from Hale’iwa to Roseburg, I felt lost. Returning to college enabled me to rebrand my business and grow.
Listening
Criticism used to hurt deeply because I took it personally. I learned to not take it personally; instead, listen without getting defensive. Sometimes that criticism could lead to a solution or a valuable lesson.
Note-Taking
I take notes on everything, which alleviates the need to remember all the details. I date everything, allowing me to revisit my notes later and decide what to keep or discard.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
My parents were entrepreneurs with their own transportation business. As a result, being a business owner has always been an option for my sister and me. During summers while in university, I drove fuel trucks for the family business. In 1986, at age 21, I became the first woman HGV Class 1 (Heavy Goods Vehicle Class 1) driver out of the Buncefield London Depot. This opportunity allowed me to meet HRH Princess Anne at the Cartmarking Ceremony at The Guildhall, London.
I grew up in the UK, where the culture differs significantly from the US, being so close to Europe. For vacations, we would often travel to other countries, experiencing different cultures and languages. I remember our first trip to Switzerland when my sister and I were seven and eight. My parents enrolled us in ski school, expecting us to learn alongside the local Swiss children. While I managed to keep up, I lacked their natural skill. Despite not winning the end-of-week races, stopping at the end was my small victory.
My parents instilled a belief that hard work and risk-taking could lead to success.
There were many competitions I didn’t win. I’ve come second more times than I can count. However, each experience is another chance to learn and grow. The rare occasions I do win come because I was prepared and present to seize those opportunities. My parents have continuously encouraged me to embrace risks—like moving to the USA as a professional skydiver, backpacking in Egypt, or scuba diving with sharks in Australia.
Life is filled with risks, including the simple act of crossing the street. It’s essential to minimize risks and have a Plan B.
I am fortunate to have parents with a great sense of adventure. For my 50th birthday, we went wing-walking on a biplane. My parents and I took a mule ride into the Grand Canyon, they were in their sixties. I even took my dad on his first skydive at 63, and he loved it. They serve as great role models, albeit slightly eccentric, and I am immensely grateful for the opportunities I have had. I hope I’ve made them proud.
Contact Info:
Website: https://www.K9CRACK.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/k9crack/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/K9Crack/
Comments