Rigs ‘n Beez brings homemade pet food and a collaboration mindset

ALGOMA – Rigs ‘n Beez, a homemade pet food business, is coming to Algoma as Founder Laura Springer moves to the area from Madison.

Springer has years of experience in food service and nutrition, which piqued her interest in what her pets were eating.

“I think that anything we put in our body has the benefit to hurt or to help. So I just started researching, because that’s what I love to do,” she said. “I just want to make things a little better for my pets. I wasn’t hoping to cure anything. That’s not my goal.”

She first dabbled in homemade pet food in hopes to address her dog Rigby’s health issues.
“Rigby’s an 11-year-old, 80-pound hound dog, and looks like he’s super hardy and sturdy, and he is probably the most delicate flower ever,” she said. “His schedule gets off and he can get so upset that he gives himself colitis. He came from a really difficult situation, and so he does have some serious anxiety and reaction issues. And just the difference that I see with him is really amazing and it makes me really happy, because I want him to be happy.”

She began to experiment in small batches with different ingredients, which she gave to friends and family as samples, and was surprised by how loud and positive their feedback was.

“It’s been a roller coaster, honestly, because this was not the plan. Starting a pet food business was not the plan.”

Springer said she began planning a move in order to bolster her connections with other local business-oriented municipalities.

“That’s what I love to do, is support local businesses and build community. So Algoma really stuck out to me, just in its proximity and what it was trying to do. In the first three weeks that I moved here, I would say at least five times a week, I heard people say, ‘Oh, we’re so glad you actually moved here, because that’s what we want to see, is more people move here!’”

Springer has met with several area business owners regarding selling her product in stores, and already has a line of treats being offered at Caffé Tlazo. She said she’s even spoken with businesses in Door County, and is hoping to begin offering her products at local craft fairs and farmers’ markets.

Rigs ‘n Beez has expanded from local sales to national, including Canada, and Springer has begun to connect with Algoma butchers and farmers to source her ingredients in the area, keeping her supply fresh and local.

“I’m hoping to source locally. I want to keep some of my vendors in Madison, but I just love supporting small, independent businesses.”

In addition to selling pet food and treats, Springer has utilized her love of crocheting to create sweaters for small pets and cat toys, which she plans on selling in the future. She said she is eager to foster further involvement in the community, including potential collaborations with local businesses and non-profits and cross-promotion and events.

Find more information about Rigs ‘n Beez at their website, www.rigsnbeez.com.