CEO.com | Dispatches from the frontiers of leadership Stella & Chewy's Founder & CEO Marie Moody
Dec 19, 2024
32:27
In this episode, Clint sits down with Marie Moody, the founder and CEO of Stella & Chewy's, to explore her incredible journey from the fashion industry to revolutionizing the pet food market.
Marie shares the heartfelt story of how a sick dog led her to discover the benefits of raw diets for pets, ultimately inspiring her to create Stella & Chewy's in 2003. She discusses the challenges of starting a business pre-internet, the evolution of pet food manufacturing, and the importance of building a strong team.
Marie also opens up about her experiences stepping back into the CEO role, the impact of economic changes on the pet food industry, and the future of AI in manufacturing. Plus, get a glimpse into her personal life as she balances being a CEO and a mother.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
00:09 - Marie Moody's background and the founding of Stella & Chewy's
00:43 - The story behind the brand's inception
02:08 - Early challenges and the first steps in the business
04:09 - Educating consumers about raw pet food
06:01 - Scaling the business and building a brand
09:10 - Moving to Wisconsin and opening a manufacturing plant
11:50 - Realizing the business potential
13:57 - Changes in manufacturing over the years
17:44 - Pricing and selling strategies
21:32 - A typical day for Marie Moody
24:28 - Returning as CEO
25:31 - Economic environment and its impact
27:25 - Product development and innovation
28:40 - The role of AI in the future
29:03 - Personal insights and family life
30:29 - The importance of giving and receiving chances
Marie shares the heartfelt story of how a sick dog led her to discover the benefits of raw diets for pets, ultimately inspiring her to create Stella & Chewy's in 2003. She discusses the challenges of starting a business pre-internet, the evolution of pet food manufacturing, and the importance of building a strong team.
Marie also opens up about her experiences stepping back into the CEO role, the impact of economic changes on the pet food industry, and the future of AI in manufacturing. Plus, get a glimpse into her personal life as she balances being a CEO and a mother.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
00:09 - Marie Moody's background and the founding of Stella & Chewy's
00:43 - The story behind the brand's inception
02:08 - Early challenges and the first steps in the business
04:09 - Educating consumers about raw pet food
06:01 - Scaling the business and building a brand
09:10 - Moving to Wisconsin and opening a manufacturing plant
11:50 - Realizing the business potential
13:57 - Changes in manufacturing over the years
17:44 - Pricing and selling strategies
21:32 - A typical day for Marie Moody
24:28 - Returning as CEO
25:31 - Economic environment and its impact
27:25 - Product development and innovation
28:40 - The role of AI in the future
29:03 - Personal insights and family life
30:29 - The importance of giving and receiving chances