Meet Makenzie Johnson

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Makenzie Johnson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Makenzie, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?

As an entrepreneur, I developed my confidence and self-esteem through experience, persistence, and a willingness to step outside my comfort zone. Starting my business at a young age required me to take risks, make decisions, and learn from both successes and failures. Each challenge I faced—whether it was pitching to retailers, managing operations, or refining my products—helped me build resilience and trust in my abilities. Surrounding myself with mentors, supportive peers, and family also played a crucial role. Over time, seeing my hard work translate into real results reinforced my confidence and fueled my belief in what I could accomplish.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I own and operate Bella’s Pet Products, a company dedicated to providing all-natural, limited-ingredient, and preservative-free dog treats. What makes my business special is the commitment to high-quality ingredients and the belief that pets deserve the same level of care in their nutrition as we do in ours. I started this business out of a passion for giving my dog, Bella, healthier treat options, and it has since grown into a brand that pet owners can trust.

One of the most exciting things about Bella’s Pet Products is our continued expansion. At the end of April, our treats will be available at 16 select Schnucks locations in Missouri and Illinois for a limited time as a part of the Schnucks Springboard Program!

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Resilience, adaptability, and relationship-building have been the most impactful qualities in my journey. Challenges are inevitable in entrepreneurship, but pushing through setbacks has helped me grow. Adapting to changes in the market, customer needs, and business opportunities has been crucial. I’ve learned that staying flexible leads to better decisions. Building strong relationships with mentors, retailers, and customers has opened doors I never expected. Networking and communication are just as important as the product itself. For those starting out, embrace failure, stay open to change, and surround yourself with supportive people. Taking action, even when uncertain, is what moves you forward.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

The most impactful thing my parents did for me was believe in me. They supported me when I was 13 years old with this business idea. I attribute my success to the fact that they always supported me as an entrepreneur. Knowing they stand behind me has made chasing my dreams even more meaningful. I’m grateful to have parents who fully support my entrepreneurial journey. I cannot thank them enough for believing in me and pushing me to be a better person and business woman.

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