A look at how ethical pet accessories can have a global impact, with Jennifer Wong and Santos Agustin of Gone to the Dogs, and Jenny Huang of JPMorgan Chase.
When Jennifer Wong and Santos Agustin decided to start a local business in their Brooklyn neighborhood, they never imagined its global reach.
Two friends, both avid dog owners, wanted to bring handmade pet goods to the masses. They also want to ensure that the artisans they work with are treated well and paid fairly.
“It was very important to us when we created our brand that we could be completely transparent,” Agustin said.
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gone to the Dogs was born: a pet accessory brand featuring ethically sourced and sustainably produced products. Women artisans from low-income and immigrant communities in the New York City area create accessories, which include collars, ties, toys and more.
Wong and Agustin also partner with women in countries around the world, from Cambodia to Ghana and beyond. These artisans participate in a fair trade agreement, guaranteeing craftsmanship in exchange for livable wages and safe working conditions.
“They provide employment and income opportunities for these women who otherwise might not be able to educate their children or simply put food on the table,” said Jenny Huang, Business Relationship Manager at JPMorgan Chase. “As an Asian immigrant myself, I feel proud to work for a company that supports women in business, especially AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islanders) women in business.”
Women-owned businesses account for 42 percent of all businesses in the US — and the number is growing. Between 2012 and 2019 (the most recent data available), the number of women-owned businesses grew by 16.7 percent, according to the National Women’s Business Council. That’s more than the growth rate of male-owned businesses over the same period (5.2 percent).
But women often face disparities when trying to access capital or find mentors who can help them start a small business.
JPMorgan Chase’s Women on the Move initiative is dedicated to fueling women’s ambitions and advancing financial equality. One of its main focuses is driving the growth and representation of businesses founded and run by women. Through coaching and mentorship programs, Women on the Move provides networking and advice to women-owned and operated businesses of all sizes and has helped more than 4,500 female entrepreneurs grow their businesses. business.
“We aim to be a bank for everyone—and we really mean for everyone when we say that, so we have programs to support small business owners who may historically have been systematically excluded from traditional banking,” Huang said.
Wong and Agustin’s passion for “dog goods that do good” also extends to ecological sustainability. They source recycled, reclaimed, or renewable materials—including ropes donated from local climbing gyms—to make their products. Gone to the Dogs also has a toy recycling program, and 99 percent of the used doggie toys they collect are composted.
For Wong and Agustin, the hard work of running a startup is made easier by their strong friendship, shared vision, and love for their rescue pups, Miles and Ollie. And with the help of Huang and JPMorgan Chase, Gone to the Dogs has the financial backing to navigate the challenges of scaling. This support ranges from helping them manage their cashflow—just in time to stock inventory for the holidays—to dealing with growing pains caused by rising demand.
Gone to the Dogs proves that business success and social responsibility can go hand in hand. Wong and Agustin built their brand on empowering female artisans, showing how intelligence and empathy can create ripple effects that transcend profit margins. And in an often wasteful world, they prevent material from entering landfills, giving discarded items a second life as cherished pet products.
“It’s very empowering to bring our dogs to the park and see all the other dogs wearing our collars and leashes and know that we’re connecting with the community,” Agustin said.
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The testimonials in this video are solely the opinions, findings or experiences of our customer and not of JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA or any of its affiliates. JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA or any of its affiliates is not responsible for decisions made or actions taken in reliance on any of the testimonial information provided.