Marilyn Jenney gave the following presentation at WBN’s holiday party in December 2003 about the start-up and growth of her business, InsideOut for Pets.

When I joined WBN in 1999, I had a prototype product for cats that I had made out of plywood and white wire shelves which I had bought at Home Depot. (see www.InsideOut4pets.com for photos.)

I had a company name, “InsideOut,” a business plan, a mission statement, and a desire to design and sell outdoor enclosures for cats. The first few years were painful and frustrating. I spent way too many hours rewriting my business plan, designing a logo, trying to make my own business cards on the computer, and trying to find a manufacturer to build my products.

Little by little, with the professional help of several WBN members, and the monthly support from the meetings, by the Spring of 2002, I had a professional logo, professional business cards, and a viable product that I built myself with the help of a man who owns a machine shop.

I donated my first Garden Arbor for cats to a Fundraiser in Bolton to benefit feral cats in Worcester County. It sold at the silent auction for $100.00.

In September of 2002 I took my first official order, a referral from the same organization. In December I took two more orders! —also through advertising with the same rescue group.

2003 has been a wonderful year for me. I sold another Six enclosures and several upgrades. I wrote quotes, designed custom installations, learned where not to waste advertising money J and, with the help of another WBN member, managed to fill out State forms and got my official: ‘State Sales and Use tax number’ !

I am currently working with SIX customers this week: 2 new orders, 2 re-configures for moves to new homes, 1 upgrade, and 1 potential sale, pending her final decision on style. I’ve turned down orders from California, New Mexico, and New York City. But if I can work out some of my customization issues and shipping obstacles, 2004 should be a very good year. I may even start selling wholesale,—or—I may wait another year.

The name of my company has changed to InsideOut for Pets, and I now: market, design, manufacture, and install all my products.

A small Garden Arbor for Cats. Which is a good size for a small deck or patio. I have sold more Large Garden Arbors, that look the same but are: 4’ x 4’ x 8’ tall.

Sample tunnels, that cats or other small pets can use to get to the final enclosure. Rectangular, and rounded.

A window screen, that keeps most insects out, but allows the pet’s access to the tunnel, through the cat flap.

A Portico, which allows, access from a basement window / window-well into a tunnel.

AND my latest design, ( a scale model ) of: Stacking Cubes.
My customer wanted a 15-foot tall enclosure to span two floors outside her home, but didn’t want her cats to be able to fall from top to bottom. So I designed 3’ foot cubes that stack vertically and provide solid floors every 3 feet. Each floor has a 1’ square hole, to the next level, covered by a 1-foot wide shelf. This model, is only 3 cubes plus optional “roof,” so it would be 9’-12’ tall. The full size unit I built is made up of 5 cubes.

I love building the scale models, and will make scale models for “Gift Certificates.”

To summarize: InsideOut for Pets, is my business. I design, build, and install, custom-made outdoor enclosures for cats and other small pets.

I’m not sure I would be in business today without the professional services, and moral support of the WBN members. You know who you are, and I’ll be glad to share names after the showcase but several of you offer similar services, and I don’t want to promote some and exclude others who could do the job as well. So Thank you, all.

Marilyn Jenney, InsideOut for Pets, “The Outdoor Experience with Indoor Safety” —www.InsideOut4pets.com