Meet JB’s Treats: An Indiana Dog Treat Brand Rooted in Purpose and Care
Welcome to our first blog post in our Tea With Makers Interview Series, a series within The White Hare Journal where we invite fellow makers, artisans, and small business visionaries to share their stories. With each guest, we explore the heart behind the craft-the quiet persistence, the meaningful details, and the intentional choices that breathe life into their work. Settle in as we celebrate creativity rooted in purpose, passion, and the Hoosier spirit of community. Today’s interview is with Yvonne and James of JB’s Treats:
Can you share how your family’s dog treat business first got started?
We founded JB Treats LLC in 2021 to provide James the opportunity to continue and expand upon his passion for making gluten free dog treats.
As James was preparing to graduate from high school, we began exploring possible job options for him. We had to be creative from traditional job opportunities due to his autism. After considerable thought, we decided to create JB Treats LLC to allow James to share the gluten free dog treats James made for our dog, Oreo. James takes great pride in his ability to make, bake, and package the treats he makes.
James is proud of his work and has enjoyed expanding his skills to include sewing over-the-collar pet bandanas, soft blankets, beds, pillows, snuffle mats, toys, and assembling hand-painted treat jars.
Are there any tools or routines that help keep the business running smoothly day to day?
When we know we are going to have a busy day, we make sure we have a designated time for when we will take a break to get food or breathe for a moment. Having a break prevents us from getting overwhelmed from the amount of work we need to accomplish in a day.
How do you stay organized or manage orders during busy seasons?
In order to keep track of our schedule, especially during our busy season, we make sure our calendar is kept up to date. We have several of our events booked 6-12 months in advance.
What makes your dog treats unique from others on the market?
All of our dog treats and celebration cakes are gluten free and made with fresh ingredients. We do not add any preservatives. Dogs love the tasty treats and cakes and owners love the simple ingredients.
What are some of James’ favorite tasks or responsibilities in the business?
James enjoys making the pumpkin treats, blueberry treats and the celebration cakes. He loves being part of celebrating dogs with personalized cakes.
He loves using his creative mind with hand painting his treat jars, choosing the right colors and coordinating ears.
Has running this business changed the way you view success or growth?
Our business is more than simply making a profit. It provides James with an opportunity to work, grow, have social engagement in the community, and improve his self esteem. He is involved in all aspects from shopping for fabric, to the ironing, stuffing and end product.
Each event, festival, and fair we go to are unique. Even our schedule is unique. Some days we work 12+ hours.
What advice would James give to someone starting their own small business?
Keep going and putting yourself out there. The more events you attend and the more exposure you get, the easier it becomes. Most importantly, have fun and enjoy what you do.
What skills has James developed since starting the business that you’re most proud of?
James has independently memorized the recipes for his dog treats. James also continues working on interacting with the people who stop by during events.
What’s been your proudest moment so far as a small business?
Simply seeing James’ smile while making the products or when talking with customers during events and feeling the pride James has in his work is our proudest moments.
What does it mean to your family to work together on something so purposeful?
It helps us remember we are a family and we can get through any challenge together. We have all had to learn new skills to make it to where we are now, which has only helped us grow stronger. We also value people recognizing James for his abilities and completing his work or recognizing him as a person.
Do you have a favorite memory or “win” that reminded you why you started this journey?
Seeing the pride James takes in his work. James doesn’t smile often, but when he does, his smile lights up the room. Seeing that smile and how he takes pride and enjoys what he does is the reason this journey was started and it’s what keeps us going.
Is there a dog who helped inspire the treats or has been your best “taste tester”?
Oreo, one of our dogs, helped inspire us to turn creating our dog treats into a business. After the business started, Ralph, our other dog, joined our family. Both Oreo and Ralph are proud “taste testers” and are always eager to try treats from each batch.
Where can people find or order your treats?
Our current schedule of events can be found on our Facebook and Instagram pages. We add events throughout the year, so make sure to keep checking.
You can message us through our website, jbtreats.com , Instagram or Facebook to purchase any of our products.
The Shed & Co, Brazil, IN and The Family Farm on Forty-Two, Center Point, IN both carry our products.
We are a member of Indiana Grown.
What’s next for your business—any new goals, events, or ideas you’re excited about?
We are always thinking ahead and adding new products. This year we added our dog treats with blueberry and nose/paw balm! After James masters creating our newest product, we begin to explore ideas for our next product. This allows James to grow at a steady, manageable pace and feel successful without getting overwhelmed.
We are always adding new events and locations throughout the year.
If you could go back and give yourself one tip before launching, what would it be?
Remember why this adventure started and keep going. You can always find a way to make it through any challenge.
Final Thoughts on JB Treats
Our dog Max certainly loves the blueberry mini-treats. Initially, he snubbed them as he does absolutely everything, so I picked it up and assumed he was being finicky as usual. Then I noticed him huffing and puffing, in a panicked search and realized he was just hoarding it for later. So, I threw him another one and he was happy.
Thank you Yvonne and James for taking the time to share your story with us-and thank you to our readers for joining us in celebrating the stories that shape our creative community. Hoping today’s conversation leaves you inspired to support small, dream big, and find beauty in the details.
Until next time—stay curiouser and curiouser :)
