Big Sky Products Nurtures Pets with Natural Goodness
June 08, 2024
Authored by: Kristin Johnson• 7 Minute Read
In 2013, Sue Moore embarked on a remarkable journey: founding her own business. 
"I started my journey as a woman-owned business, mixing and selling herbs for horses," Sue explains. Sue's business journey took an unexpected turn when she noticed her own dog struggling with skin issues. This led to the birth of Kairos for Dogs, a specialized store offering holistic dog food and treats. But Sue didn't stop there. She saw an opportunity to cater to active pet owners who love the outdoors. That's how Big Sky Products (BigSkyProducts.US) came to be, featuring protein hiking bars and freeze-dried food for dogs on the move. It's a practical solution for adventurous pet owners looking for quality nutrition on the trail.
Big Sky Products is more than just your run-of-the-mill holistic dog store: Big Sky uses organic herbs (or sustainably wildcrafted herbs when organic isn’t available), and their toppers and snacks are 100% antibiotic and hormone-free, using wild caught salmon and organic vegetables. Sue is constantly working with veterinarians and herbalists using the latest research in nutrition to bring new products to the market that are guaranteed to keep you and your four-legged best friend happy and healthy.
We chatted with Sue about being a small business owner and why choosing .US as a domain name was the right move for her burgeoning business.
Mission of Health and Integrity
The mission for Big Sky started when Sue’s dog, Jack, a white miniature Schnauzer, started experiencing skin issues.
“We took him to see several different veterinarians in the area for his skin issues,” said Sue. “He was allergic to grass, dust mites and fleas. Those allergies make it difficult to be a dog!
“We switched him to a raw diet from a kibble he'd been eating for years. We added chia seeds, ground flax seeds, coconut oil and our herb mix call Liver Support. The liver supports the skin. The holistic veterinarian who partnered with me to develop our line of herb mixes, told me we needed to heal him from the inside out. She added that often, the liver gets too taxed from outside environmental toxins that it can't keep up, to the point it can't support the skin. After a few weeks of changing his diet, his fur started clearing up and his fur grew back.”
From Jack’s success, Kairos for Dogs was born. Sue and her family created freeze dried meals, free of fillers or preservatives, and are made with antibiotic and hormone free meats or Alaskan wild caught salmon. The formula is 90% proteins combined with 10% of our base mix of organic veggies, fruits and seeds.
Big Sky Products was later born as a backpacking meals kit for Sue’s daughter’s dog.
“We created our freeze dried meals for my daughter's dog so she could continue to feed raw while backpacking with her T1D Service Dog,” reflects Sue.
At the core of Big Sky Products is a mission that resonates through every product they offer: "We provide healthy options for the animals in your life. No fillers, preservatives, antibiotics, hormones. Ever." This commitment ensures that pets enjoy the healthiest food options, allowing them to live longer and healthier lives. The company’s dedication to natural, wholesome products without harmful additives is a testament to its love and respect for animals.
Similarly, Sue recognized that while many pet owners want to give their dogs the best, it’s not always in their budget. From this acknowledgement, Sue created a new product: herbal toppings.
“It's not in the budget to feed raw for many people, so they choose to add our Ruff Food meals as a topper over kibble.”
Overcoming Challenges
Every business journey has its hurdles, and packaging poses the greatest challenge for Big Sky Products. The company's growth required collaboration with various co-packers, a task even more difficult during the pandemic. "The pandemic wasn’t kind to small businesses," Sue recounts. “The differences in packaging equipment among co-packers meant constant adjustments and compromises.” However, resilience paid off when they finally partnered with a co-packer equipped to meet their specific needs.
A Proud Achievement
One of Sue and her team's proudest moments was achieving brand cohesion with their Ruff Bars. After nearly five years of persistent effort and strategic collaborations, they were able to restore the size of their Ruff Bars to the original specifications. "It’s very exciting!" Sue exclaims, highlighting the joy of overcoming such a significant obstacle.
We asked Sue what she thought about her products compared to those on the shelves at big-box stores, and the pride she has knowing she’s helping other families give their pets a higher-quality food.
“We all are doing the best we can with what we have,” comments Sue. “Maya Angelou once said, ‘We did what we knew how to do and when we knew better, we did better.’
“Ruff Bar Supplements are herb mixes formulated to support healthy functions for dogs, like their immune system, liver and kidney function, respiratory system, endocrine system, lymphatic system and metabolic system. We have a line of protein hiking bars to give your dog an energy boost while adventuring outdoors or in strenuous activities. Fats are the best sources for fuel but are difficult to make shelf stable. Our air-dried Ruff Bars are made from only five ingredients, providing the fuel they need, shelf stable, compact, and easy to carry.
“Our Ruff Snacks are freeze dried raw single ingredient proteins, providing pet parents the options they are looking for as snacks or meal toppers. As a single ingredient, they are simple. Clean. No nonsense.”
Reflecting on the journey, Sue advises other entrepreneurs: "If you are passionate about your business and believe at your core you're on the right path, stay committed and know when you need to pull the plug for self-preservation." Her insights underscore the importance of commitment and the tough decision-making that business owners face.
Securing a .US Domain
Choosing the right domain was crucial for Sue, and BigSkyProducts.US became the perfect fit. The name reflects their Montana roots and encompasses the diverse range of products they offer. The journey to securing the Big Sky Products name highlights Sue’s tenacity as she navigated administrative hurdles to finally claim a name that had been unused since 1989.
“Big Sky Corporation names have been taken decades ago,” reflected Sue. “Big Sky Products was listed as available in the search. When I applied, we were denied. In my follow up call, I shared what I could see online. Big Sky Products had been administratively dissolved in 1989. The person I spoke with saw the change needed in the system and we were awarded the name. It was the perfect domain name to cover all products we make!”
The Reality Behind Running a Business
Sue candidly shares the less visible aspects of business ownership, comparing it to the curated highlights on Instagram. "Go into business fully aware of what’s visible and behind the scenes," she advises, giving a realistic peek into the emotional rollercoaster that entrepreneurship can entail.
“For those of us who get so emotionally attached to the animals in our lives, we would do almost anything to give them longer, fuller and healthier lives. For me, this meant creating what wasn't available at the time. There are several good brands available now but that doesn't deter my desires to provide more clean options. We have four dogs in our home. There's humor in saying ‘I work hard so my dog can have the lifestyle it deserves.’ At best we have 10-16 years with these companions, and we want them to have the best life possible. That’s why I do what I do.”
Big Sky Products exemplifies the spirit of innovation, dedication, and care for animal well-being. Through their website, BigSkyProducts.US, they offer a gateway to explore their range of healthy pet products. Sue Moore leads her company with passion and integrity, and she continues to inspire and empower other entrepreneurs to pursue their visions while contributing positively to the lives of pets and their owners across the country.
