As a child, Mika's father, Andre dreamed of becoming a veterinarian, but fate had other plans. After a stint as a CAD technician and pursuing financial accounting, he stumbled upon his true calling: helping animals and small businesses thrive.

In 2014, he joined Pet Essentials Warehouse in Napier, a haven for natural pet diets established by Denis and Berni Pert over two decades ago. Six years later, amidst a global pandemic, he took the reins of the business.

His partner, leaving behind a 19-year career in pharmacy, joined him in this ambitious venture. Together, they embarked on a journey to revolutionize pet care in their community.

Their secret weapon? Little Mika, their two-and-a-half-year-old daughter, who charmed customers by handing out treats to visiting dogs.

Despite skeptics warning of the challenges posed by corporate giants, the family persevered. They expanded their wholesale business, supplying over 80 independent stores across New Zealand with an impressive array of 2,000 product lines.

When deciding on a location for their new shop, the answer was clear. Taradale, where Mika's father spent his formative years, called to them. The community's encouragement on social media sealed the deal.

As they prepared to open their doors in August, the family reflected on their journey. They have a diverse team of nine full-time and four part-time staff, including vet nurses and aquatic specialists at the Napier store. More staff will be appointed to the new Taradale store, ready to share their expertise with pet owners.

Owner Andre says - hold your values close, understand your worth, don’t focus on what you can’t control, and always remember, if it was easy, everyone would be doing it.

Andre and his team invite you to visit their new store next to Rosie 'O Gradies in Taradale.

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