Meet Toniarae (rae) Zekas

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Toniarae (rae) Zekas. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Toniarae (Rae), we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

My journey to discovering my purpose began with introspection, sparking a desire to pursue my passions and find fulfillment. After years in corporate HR, I had an epiphany – I was meant to do more. With my beloved Bosco’s health struggles as a catalyst, I embarked on a path to improve the lives of family pets. This calling led me to open a store offering healthy, holistic alternatives for canine and feline companions, and to pursue certifications in holistic nutrition, CPR, and first aid. Embracing lifelong learning, I continue to evolve and grow, empowering pet owners to make informed choices for their pets’ well-being.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

What defines us? Bosco’s stands as a family-owned, all-natural holistic store in New Lenox and Tinley Park IL, focusing on dehydrated, freeze-dried, grain-free pet food, soft supplements, and more. Our products contain five ingredients or less, ensuring simplicity and purity. We source 100% grass-fed, digestible animal components. Our offerings are free from GMOs, harmful additives, preservatives, and rawhide. Bosco’s serves as a trusted, clean, and natural destination for pet owners seeking optimal health for their dogs and cats.

What sparked the creation of Bosco’s? Our family’s cherished pet, Bosco, inspired Bosco’s All Natural. Despite his long and joyful life, Bosco suffered from numerous health issues stemming from harmful ingredients in his dog food, treats, and bones. This realization came too late, leaving him with skin rashes, tumors, and hip problems that resisted treatment and offered slim surgical hope. Following his poignant passing, we delved into pet nutrition and product guidelines, uncovering an unsettling prevalence of unhealthy ingredients. Compelled to act, we began crafting natural products, granting our new pets a vibrant lifestyle. We now offer the same natural solutions to nurture your pets’ health and happiness.

Where do our products come from? We have direct partnerships with four farmers. The farmers in Texas and Tennessee provide animal organs and body parts, while a Canadian farmer supplies bones, horns, and antlers, all naturally harvested. We ensure animals are treated humanely, with no killing for sport. Our partner farms prioritize sustainable use of all animal parts for human and pet consumption. We locally source honey and bee pollen from a local beekeeper and our CBD products are from a local farmer. Our owner, a certified holistic nutritionist, also founded TDS Barks, which crafts our hygiene products, petnip, food toppers, frozen sweets, and baked treats.

What is CFVC? CFVC, or Canine Feline Veterinarian Care, is a nonprofit organization founded by Bosco’s to provide vital assistance to veterans in caring for their pets. The organization offers food, wellness checkups, service animal training, and essential supplies for veterans’ pets. Half of our sales and all gratuities are allocated to CFVC, including revenue generated from our calendar contest. As a relatively new organization, CFVC relies on additional funding to enhance its services and support a greater number of veterans and their pets. Donations can be made by contacting [email protected].

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?

Reflecting on my journey, I’m proud of the person I’ve become, knowing I made the right choice. With knowledge, support, and a growth mindset, I’m excited for the future’s endless possibilities. I firmly believe that self-belief and resilience are key to achieving dreams, understanding that setbacks are essential to truly grasping success. Always chase your aspirations and live with unshakeable confidence.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

My family has been an incredible source of strength, each member fueling my determination in their unique way. We refuse to entertain the idea of giving up. Raising four resilient children with distinct personalities has taught me perseverance, especially when doubts crept in amidst declining sales. The past year has been daunting, with economic challenges affecting us all, but my children’s unwavering encouragement kept me going. My daughter Kenzie’s insightful words – ‘think outside the box’ – ignited a revolutionary idea. We’re transforming our business by moving into a box truck, enabling us to bring our store directly to local towns. We’re aiming to launch this innovative venture by November 2024.

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