by Dean Kallas, Grocery Category Manager
Dean: Where did you grow up?
Billie: Fish Creek and Manitowoc on the shores of Lake Michigan.
How did you first get interested in producing dog treats?
One of my social work clients was having trouble getting/keeping a job, which is pretty common for folks with a cognitive disability. I asked him what he wanted to do and he said make dog treats.
What made you decide to start your business creating them?
I wanted to help this client and other adults with disabilities have and keep a good, interesting, and unique job creating natural nutrition for dogs and horses.
Can you describe the process for making Mrs. Beaster’s Biskits?
First we mix all our ingredients in a 30 qt. mixer. Then we have two different kinds of processes we use for forming our treats. Our grain-free treats are extruded and our heart shaped treats are cut out by hand.
Are there specific ingredients you look for when you formulate your Biskit recipes? How do you source them?
I look for combinations of fruit and vegetables we can grow. We organically grow most of the produce we use in our treats here on my farm. Our meats are purchased from other Wisconsin family farms.
Who is your biggest influence?
My grandparents who had a vegetable farm.
How did you come up with the name Mrs. Beaster’s Biskits?
The business is named after my sweetheart dog, Mrs. Beaster.
What is the best part of your work?
Spending time on my farm with my workers and loving up all the dogs I meet at events.
Can you tell us more about your workforce? How many employees do you have?
I have six workers. My right-hand helper and five adults with severe disabilities. We work together as a team encouraging each other’s strengths and making up for each other’s weaknesses.
Which of your treats are you most proud of?
Our CBD Peanut Berry Blasters because they help so many dogs.
What challenges is your business facing? I know it has been a tough couple of years for many.
This has always been a tough business to survive in. There are so many big companies flooding the market with inexpensive treats. The pandemic almost killed us with many pet stores only doing curbside pickup. Our saving grace is that we make extraordinary natural treats and have wonderful folks like our Willy Street Co-op customers who are loyal and keep buying our treats for their dogs.
Another more recent challenge is the rising cost of our ingredients. In some cases they have doubled in price, and this has made it difficult for us financially.
What motivates you and keeps you going?
Doing right by my workers and making dogs and people happy.
I have heard you are a musician. Where did you get started playing music? Do you still play in a band?
Yes, I started out as a poet being a co-founder of Madison’s own Cheap At Any Price poetry collective. I’ve always heard music with the poetry I write and so it was a natural progression to music. I am presently working on my fourth album as a songwriter. I play several instruments including guitar and synthesizers. My current band is Grave Dancer, a Gothic art band. You can find my website at gravedancer.us and our videos can be seen on YouTube.
Do you have any other interests or hobbies?
I own three horses here on my farm and I am part-owner of four racing thoroughbreds including 2000 Haskell, Kentucky Derby and Breeder’s Cup winner and Horse of the Year, Authentic who stands at Spendthrift Farm.
Do you have any new products in development?
Yes, I’m working on another CBD treat.