Gunther’s Treats
Locally sourced, locally made, and pretty darn tasty!
Project Description
Meet the Treat Makers
My name is Rhiannon, I am a queer woman, a veterinary technician, a dog owner, and a member of the Cedar Falls, Iowa community.
Gunther is my dog. Together we are starting a small business! Okay, I’m doing most of the work, but Gunther is great at supervising.
I moved to Waterloo in 2004 for a job. I have lived in the area since then, and moved into Cedar Falls in 2019. One of the things I enjoy about Cedar Falls is our “Shop Local” attitude within the community. It is important to me to support local businesses within the Cedar Falls and Waterloo areas, and I buy from local business owners whenever possible. I also hate waste, and so I like to conserve by dehydrating food. I relish in the fact that I can store and save food for my friends and chosen family.
Gunther doesn’t have a sensitive stomach, and even though he’d eat tree bark (literally) I’m kind of picky about what I feed him.
When searching for treat options I was pretty disappointed. There isn’t much that exists locally. That includes just in the Cedar Valley, but more largely in Iowa. Unfortunately there just isn’t much anywhere when it comes to “clean” or “healthy” dog treats that aren’t sold in a big box store, for a huge markup.
Just like most other dog people, treats are part of our lives, and the longer I have had Gunther the more I have thought about my (and his) preferences when it comes to the treats we use. I decided I would just make his treats myself. I dehydrated treats for him for a while.
Then, I saw a video. My whole outlook shifted when I learned about freeze drying! I was so intruiged, and it wasn’t long before I was sucked in and watching freeze drying videos all of the time. Then I had an idea, one I knew I wanted to share with my community.
So, what is/are Gunther’s Treats?
Gunther’s Treats is a snack business that caters to dog owners who are choosy about what they feed both themselves and their dogs. We make freeze dried treats for humans that can be shared with our canine friends! We also make pet-only treats, and no matter who the treats are geared towards (dog, cat, or exotic friend) our treats are safe for dogs to consume.
Our customers are pet owners who want to buy a clean snack made with local ingredients that they can share with their dog. I want the pet owners that buy our treats to know that they can be confident about where the food in the package comes from. It’s where they live.
Why do we need funds?
Gunther’s Treats is looking for people and businesses to join us in creating a new way for dog owners of the Cedar Valley to connect. Gunther and I need $6000 to use as start-up capital for Gunther’s Treats. With your assistance we can get this small business off the ground!
The $6000 would be used to purchase the equipment that Gunther and I need in order to start producing our freeze dried treats.
The cost of starting Gunther’s Treats is mostly the equipment. We have a lot to buy before starting to sell our freeze dried treats, though. The packaging cost of $280 includes the estimated cost of Mylar bags and the stickers we need to label them, as well as mail them.
Marketing will only cost roughly $80 to start out. We are so lucky to have an amazing Iowan artist willing to donate his time as his contribution to Gunther’s Treats. We will just need to purchase business cards and maybe a neat magnet for our van.
Iowa has very specific laws regarding pet food, and Gunther’s Treats will need roughly $370 in permits in order to sell our treats in the first year. Supplies for the farmers market setup will cost an estimated $540. Groceries are the last thing on this list to be purchased. In order to make a single batch of each of the treats that we plan to have available at launch we will need to buy about $230 in groceries from our local sources.
Gunther’s kitchen needs to be stocked! The equipment cost estimate is $4,500.00. This includes the biggest piece of the puzzle, the freeze dryer. It also includes a stand up freezer, a mixer, a baking rack, and many other kitchen supplies needed to make our treats.
Our Goals and Your Impact
I don’t want to just raise money with this campaign. I want to get the community involved. This project isn’t just about making treats, it’s about connection. That is one of the reasons that I have an Amazon wish list set up. My hope is that people will take advantage of the “Naming Rights” reward on our Amazon wish list and we will have a Gunther’s Kitchen full of wonderfully named equipment.
Gunther and I so appreciate your help! With it, our goal of providing these treats for both the pets and the humans in our community will come to fruition. Thank you so much for your support in helping Gunther’s Treats grow into a successful small business in the Cedar Valley!
Updates
The Campaign FAQs
Just Being Generous
Only have $1? We'll take it and appreciate it!
Give as you feel to support Gunther’s Treats in our work up to small business success.
Your funding contribution will help us purchase the equipment and supplies needed to get this small business off the ground.
At this level of giving Gunther’s Treats will post a Thank You on our support page. You also get to enjoy the feeling that comes along with knowing you've supported a small business that prides itself on sourcing only locally available supplies.
All contributors towards the campaign are added to Gunther’s Treats News. All the exciting things coming up for our small business including our calendar, product announcements, company news, and updates on fundraising.
Monetary Contributors will also qualify for the Thank You Reward Package that is closest to the value of their gift.
PS. You can also donate directly to Gunther’s Treats Venmo, PayPal, or Stripe accounts if you would like to specify how we use those funds (ex: for purchasing apples for the treats, or a banner with shared logo space)
#shoutout #shoplocal
#guntherstreatssupporter
#smallbusinesssupporter
#highlightedstory
Gunther’s Treats will have a limited menu of treats available for pre-order.
Enjoy the feeling that comes along with knowing you've supported a small business that prides itself on sourcing only locally available supplies!
Each bag of pre-order treats is $5, please send a message specifying which type of treat you would like and your shipping information.
Pre-Order Menu
* Apples: $5/bag
* Cheese Curds: $5/bag
* Marshmallows: $5/bag
* Pumpkin PB Letters: $5/bag
* Strawberries: $5/bag
All treats that are pre-ordered will be produced as soon as possible.
Due to the many unknowns, Gunther’s Treats can only state that we will attempt to get the pre-ordered goods shipped out within a reasonable amount of time after the close of the campaign, however we can make no guarantees at this time.
Gunther’s Treats can, however, promise that we will be keeping all funders up to date on the status of their goods!
All contributors towards the campaign are added to the Gunther’s Treats News list of all the exciting things coming up for our small business including our calendar, product announcements, company news, and updates on fundraising.
#shoutout #shoplocal
#guntherstreatspreorderpal
#smallbusinesssupporter
#highlightedstory
Thank you for your contribution of $10!
Gunther’s Treats would like to show our appreciation with a social media shoutout and, of course, all contributors towards the campaign are added to Gunther’s Treats News. A list of all the exciting things coming up for our small business including our calendar, product announcements, company news, and updates on fundraising.
Rewards list for Startup Supporter level:
Thank you on our support page
Story Thank you with hashtags on Insta and FB
Post Thank you with hashtags on Insta and FB
#shoutout
#guntherstreatsstartupsupporter
#smallbusinesssupporter
Thank you for your contribution of $25!
Gunther’s Treats would like to thank you for sticking with us during this challenge by sending you a sticker of one of our first logos.
We will also show our appreciation with a social media shoutout and, of course, all contributors towards the campaign are added to Gunther’s Treats News. A list of all the exciting things coming up for our small business including our calendar, product announcements, company news, and updates on fundraising.
Rewards list for Stick With Us level:
Thank you on our support page
Story Thank you with hashtags on Insta and FB
Post Thank you with hashtags on Insta and FB
Logo Sticker
Thank you Sticker
#shoutout #shoplocal
#guntherstreatsstickwithus
#smallbusinesssupporter
Thank you for your contribution of 1% of our total goal!
That is such an exciting thing to say!
You have gotten us one full, measurable step closer to being able to bring Gunther’s Treats to the Cedar Valley!
We will also show our appreciation with a social media shoutout and, of course, all contributors towards the campaign are added to the Gunther’s Treats News list of all the exciting things coming up for our small business including our calendar, product announcements, company news, and updates on fundraising.
Rewards list for the 1% Club:
Thank you on our support page
Story Thank you with hashtags on Insta and FB
+ 1% club highlighted story
Post Thank you with hashtags on Insta and FB
2 logo stickers
2 Thank you Stickers
Autographed picture of Gunther
Name on a Thank You Board at every IRL market
#shoutout #shoplocal
#guntherstreats1%club
#smallbusinesssupporter
#highlightedstory
Oh My Dog!!
We are now 2% closer to fully funded. You, dear funder, You, have gotten us TWO full, measurable steps closer to being able to bring Gunther’s Treats to the Cedar Valley!
We will show our appreciation with a social media shoutout and, of course, all contributors towards the campaign are added to the Gunther’s Treats News. A list of all the exciting things coming up for our small business including our calendar, product announcements, company news, and updates on fundraising.
Rewards for the 2% Club:
Thank you on our support page
Story Thank you with hashtags on Insta and FB
+ 2% club highlighted story
Post Thank you with hashtags on Insta and FB
2 Logo Stickers
2 Thank you Stickers
Autographed picture of Gunther
Print of the logo
Name on a Thank You Board at every IRL market
#shoutout #shoplocal
#guntherstreats2%club
#smallbusinesssupporter
#highlightedstory
Thank you so much for your amazing show of support. With your $375 we are now 1/16 of the way to the $6,000 goal for opening.
We are now closer than ever to being fully funded.
You, wonderful supporter, have gotten us a big leap closer to being able to bring Gunther’s Treats to the Cedar Valley!
We will also show our appreciation with a social media shoutout and, of course, all contributors towards the campaign are added to the Gunther’s Treats News. All the exciting things coming up for our small business including our calendar, product announcements, company news, and updates on fundraising.
Thank you on our support page
Story Thank you with hashtags on Insta and FB
+ A Sweet Sixteenth of the Way there highlighted story
+ Thank You Reel on Insta and FB
Post Thank you with hashtags on Insta and FB
Spot on the pinned thank you post
2 Logo Stickers
2 Thank you Stickers
Autographed picture of Gunther
Autographed print of our first logo
Name on a Thank You Board at every IRL market
#shoutout #shoplocal
#guntherstreatsasweetsixteenthofthewaythere
#smallbusinesssupporter
#highlightedstory
Empower Local Business!
This sponsorship level is perfect for local + small businesses everywhere who believe in and want to power the mission of Gunther’s Treats to provide high quality products made with ONLY locally sourced goods.
With a contribution of this amount gets Gunther’s Treats 1/4 of the way towards our goal
*Gunther’s Treats reserves the right to audit, edit, and exclude any content containing profanity or materials otherwise inappropriate for our audience submitted to be added to the website and videos at will.
Includes:
Thank you on our support page
Story Thank you with hashtags on Insta and FB
+ 1/8 of the Way there highlighted story
+ Thank You Reel on Insta and FB
Post Thank you with hashtags on Insta and FB
Spot on the pinned thank you post
2 Logo Stickers
2 Thank you Stickers
Autographed picture of Gunther
Autographed Print of the logo
AND the Company name listed & linked on the Gunther’s Treats website as a member of the Empowering Eight Club
Name on a Thank You Board at every IRL market
Free treats for a year (50 bags)
#shoutout #shoplocal
#setfortreatsfortheyear
#guntherstreatsempoweringeightclub
#smallbusinesssupporter
#highlightedstory
Rewards
Just Being Generous
Only have $1? We'll take it and appreciate it!
Give as you feel to support Gunther’s Treats in our work up to small business success.
Your funding contribution will help us purchase the equipment and supplies needed to get this small business off the ground.
At this level of giving Gunther’s Treats will post a Thank You on our support page. You also get to enjoy the feeling that comes along with knowing you've supported a small business that prides itself on sourcing only locally available supplies.
All contributors towards the campaign are added to Gunther’s Treats News. All the exciting things coming up for our small business including our calendar, product announcements, company news, and updates on fundraising.
Monetary Contributors will also qualify for the Thank You Reward Package that is closest to the value of their gift.
PS. You can also donate directly to Gunther’s Treats Venmo, PayPal, or Stripe accounts if you would like to specify how we use those funds (ex: for purchasing apples for the treats, or a banner with shared logo space)
#shoutout #shoplocal
#guntherstreatssupporter
#smallbusinesssupporter
#highlightedstory
Gunther’s Treats will have a limited menu of treats available for pre-order.
Enjoy the feeling that comes along with knowing you've supported a small business that prides itself on sourcing only locally available supplies!
Each bag of pre-order treats is $5, please send a message specifying which type of treat you would like and your shipping information.
Pre-Order Menu
* Apples: $5/bag
* Cheese Curds: $5/bag
* Marshmallows: $5/bag
* Pumpkin PB Letters: $5/bag
* Strawberries: $5/bag
All treats that are pre-ordered will be produced as soon as possible.
Due to the many unknowns, Gunther’s Treats can only state that we will attempt to get the pre-ordered goods shipped out within a reasonable amount of time after the close of the campaign, however we can make no guarantees at this time.
Gunther’s Treats can, however, promise that we will be keeping all funders up to date on the status of their goods!
All contributors towards the campaign are added to the Gunther’s Treats News list of all the exciting things coming up for our small business including our calendar, product announcements, company news, and updates on fundraising.
#shoutout #shoplocal
#guntherstreatspreorderpal
#smallbusinesssupporter
#highlightedstory
Thank you for your contribution of $10!
Gunther’s Treats would like to show our appreciation with a social media shoutout and, of course, all contributors towards the campaign are added to Gunther’s Treats News. A list of all the exciting things coming up for our small business including our calendar, product announcements, company news, and updates on fundraising.
Rewards list for Startup Supporter level:
Thank you on our support page
Story Thank you with hashtags on Insta and FB
Post Thank you with hashtags on Insta and FB
#shoutout
#guntherstreatsstartupsupporter
#smallbusinesssupporter
Thank you for your contribution of $25!
Gunther’s Treats would like to thank you for sticking with us during this challenge by sending you a sticker of one of our first logos.
We will also show our appreciation with a social media shoutout and, of course, all contributors towards the campaign are added to Gunther’s Treats News. A list of all the exciting things coming up for our small business including our calendar, product announcements, company news, and updates on fundraising.
Rewards list for Stick With Us level:
Thank you on our support page
Story Thank you with hashtags on Insta and FB
Post Thank you with hashtags on Insta and FB
Logo Sticker
Thank you Sticker
#shoutout #shoplocal
#guntherstreatsstickwithus
#smallbusinesssupporter
Thank you for your contribution of 1% of our total goal!
That is such an exciting thing to say!
You have gotten us one full, measurable step closer to being able to bring Gunther’s Treats to the Cedar Valley!
We will also show our appreciation with a social media shoutout and, of course, all contributors towards the campaign are added to the Gunther’s Treats News list of all the exciting things coming up for our small business including our calendar, product announcements, company news, and updates on fundraising.
Rewards list for the 1% Club:
Thank you on our support page
Story Thank you with hashtags on Insta and FB
+ 1% club highlighted story
Post Thank you with hashtags on Insta and FB
2 logo stickers
2 Thank you Stickers
Autographed picture of Gunther
Name on a Thank You Board at every IRL market
#shoutout #shoplocal
#guntherstreats1%club
#smallbusinesssupporter
#highlightedstory
Oh My Dog!!
We are now 2% closer to fully funded. You, dear funder, You, have gotten us TWO full, measurable steps closer to being able to bring Gunther’s Treats to the Cedar Valley!
We will show our appreciation with a social media shoutout and, of course, all contributors towards the campaign are added to the Gunther’s Treats News. A list of all the exciting things coming up for our small business including our calendar, product announcements, company news, and updates on fundraising.
Rewards for the 2% Club:
Thank you on our support page
Story Thank you with hashtags on Insta and FB
+ 2% club highlighted story
Post Thank you with hashtags on Insta and FB
2 Logo Stickers
2 Thank you Stickers
Autographed picture of Gunther
Print of the logo
Name on a Thank You Board at every IRL market
#shoutout #shoplocal
#guntherstreats2%club
#smallbusinesssupporter
#highlightedstory
Thank you so much for your amazing show of support. With your $375 we are now 1/16 of the way to the $6,000 goal for opening.
We are now closer than ever to being fully funded.
You, wonderful supporter, have gotten us a big leap closer to being able to bring Gunther’s Treats to the Cedar Valley!
We will also show our appreciation with a social media shoutout and, of course, all contributors towards the campaign are added to the Gunther’s Treats News. All the exciting things coming up for our small business including our calendar, product announcements, company news, and updates on fundraising.
Thank you on our support page
Story Thank you with hashtags on Insta and FB
+ A Sweet Sixteenth of the Way there highlighted story
+ Thank You Reel on Insta and FB
Post Thank you with hashtags on Insta and FB
Spot on the pinned thank you post
2 Logo Stickers
2 Thank you Stickers
Autographed picture of Gunther
Autographed print of our first logo
Name on a Thank You Board at every IRL market
#shoutout #shoplocal
#guntherstreatsasweetsixteenthofthewaythere
#smallbusinesssupporter
#highlightedstory
Empower Local Business!
This sponsorship level is perfect for local + small businesses everywhere who believe in and want to power the mission of Gunther’s Treats to provide high quality products made with ONLY locally sourced goods.
With a contribution of this amount gets Gunther’s Treats 1/4 of the way towards our goal
*Gunther’s Treats reserves the right to audit, edit, and exclude any content containing profanity or materials otherwise inappropriate for our audience submitted to be added to the website and videos at will.
Includes:
Thank you on our support page
Story Thank you with hashtags on Insta and FB
+ 1/8 of the Way there highlighted story
+ Thank You Reel on Insta and FB
Post Thank you with hashtags on Insta and FB
Spot on the pinned thank you post
2 Logo Stickers
2 Thank you Stickers
Autographed picture of Gunther
Autographed Print of the logo
AND the Company name listed & linked on the Gunther’s Treats website as a member of the Empowering Eight Club
Name on a Thank You Board at every IRL market
Free treats for a year (50 bags)
#shoutout #shoplocal
#setfortreatsfortheyear
#guntherstreatsempoweringeightclub
#smallbusinesssupporter
#highlightedstory