Written by Evelyn Mytka, Contributing Writer
Some business ideas take years to develop. Others arrive in a moment you almost overlook.
For Calgary entrepreneur Ritesh Andley, it started with an ice cream on a hot summer day.
While out for a walk with his family last summer, they stopped to enjoy a frozen treat together. As they sat outside, Ritesh looked down at his dog, Cocoa, who watched with the same hopeful expression familiar to so many pet owners.
“I was torn,” he says. “Should I give him some ice cream, or should I not?”
He knew the answer. Traditional ice cream wasn’t something he felt comfortable feeding his dog, who had always eaten carefully prepared home-cooked meals.
But the moment stuck with him, what if dogs could enjoy an ice cream made just for them?
It was a simple idea, but one that quickly became much bigger. Today, that idea has grown into PupSlurp, a Calgary business creating small-batch frozen treats for dogs using natural, dog-friendly ingredients.
“I started making them for him,” says Ritesh. “Then eventually I started thinking, why not make it a company and let all the dogs have fun?”
Curiosity became the foundation
Like many entrepreneurs, Ritesh didn’t start with all the answers. He started by asking questions.
Could he develop a product made with ingredients he’d trust for his own dog? Would other pet owners want it? Was there enough demand to build a business around the idea?
Answering those questions meant stepping into an industry he knew almost nothing about.
With a background in the IT & Tech sector, he suddenly found himself learning about recipe development, food production, branding, packaging, retail distribution and manufacturing. Every step presented something new to figure out.
“It was all a fresh beginning for me,” he says. “I would like to think of it as a process of evolution, not so much of a challenge. It was a fun journey.”
That mindset shaped every part of the business.
Recipes were tested and refined until they met his standards. Packaging took months of research to find suppliers that could support a growing company. Even designing a logo and building a website became opportunities to learn new skills.
It also became a family project. Ritesh credits his family, including his 10-year-old daughter, Sancia, with supporting him throughout the journey, from brainstorming ideas to celebrating milestones along the way.
Rather than rushing to launch, Ritesh focused on building a product he could confidently put his name on.
Knowing when to ask for help
As PupSlurp began taking shape, the questions became more strategic.
Was the market large enough? How should the product be priced? Should manufacturing stay in-house? What would growth realistically look like?
Instead of trying to solve everything on his own, Ritesh started looking for people who had experience navigating those decisions.
That’s when he connected with Business Link Alberta.
Through one-to-one support, market research, business planning, pricing guidance, cash flow support, and digital marketing resources, he found expertise that helped him make informed decisions as the business evolved.
“I had it somewhere in my heart that it was a good product,” he says. “But would it scale? Those answers came from the research I got from the Business Link Alberta team.”
Rather than receiving a single roadmap, Ritesh worked with different Business Link Alberta strategists as new challenges emerged. Each conversation helped him move one step closer to turning an idea into a sustainable business.
Getting PupSlurp into customers’ hands
Building a great product is only part of the journey; people have to know it exists.
Although Ritesh came from an IT & Tech sector background, marketing directly to consumers required a completely different skill set.
Through Business Link Alberta’s Digital Marketing Program, he learned how small changes in branding, messaging and content could make a meaningful difference.
“So many small little things I didn’t know,” he says. “The Digital Marketing Program methodically and systematically helped me.”
Today, PupSlurp products can be found in six retail locations across Calgary, and awareness continues to grow.
In spending a few minutes with Ritesh at a Calgary dog park, it was easy to see why the idea has resonated. Dogs eagerly gather around for a taste while curious owners stop to ask where they can find the product. Those conversations, Ritesh says, have become one of the most rewarding parts of building the business, giving him the chance to meet fellow dog lovers and watch their pets enjoy a treat made just for them.
“The Digital Marketing Program has helped bring awareness to my dog ice cream and where it’s available across Calgary,” says Ritesh. “I’ll continue to leverage it as I grow awareness of my product.”
Looking ahead
While reaching store shelves has been an exciting milestone, Ritesh sees it as just the beginning.
He plans to continue expanding PupSlurp into new markets, introduce additional products, while staying focused on creating treats made with quality ingredients that dogs can enjoy.
“All our products are and will always be made with ingredients healthy for dogs,” he says.
His long-term vision reflects the same enthusiasm that inspired the business in the first place.
“I want Calgary to be the dog fun treat capital of Canada!”
For aspiring entrepreneurs, his advice is refreshingly simple.
“I would say, take the plunge. If you’re starting a business, there are a lot of reasons not to start it. Look for the one that’s going to push you into it.”
Looking back, it’s remarkable that a business now found on store shelves across Calgary began with a family walk on a hot summer day.
Not because a dog couldn’t have an ice cream, but because one entrepreneur noticed a problem, stayed curious long enough to explore it, and was willing to learn everything he needed to turn an idea into a business.
Inspired by Ritesh’s journey? Whether you’re exploring a new business idea or looking for support as you grow, Business Link Alberta is here to help. Access free one-to-one support, market research, webinars and practical resources designed for Alberta entrepreneurs. Learn more and connect with our team today.
Connect with PupSlurp
Want to see what all the excitement is about? Learn more about PupSlurp, find retail locations, and follow along on social media.
- Website: https://pupslurp.ca
- Instagram: @pupslurp.treats
- Facebook: Pupslurp
