🎧 Episode Synopsis In this deeply personal episode, Slicing Through the Noise welcomes Chris Essex, founder and CEO of Big Dog Pet Foods, for an unfiltered conversation about leadership, resilience, and purpose-driven entrepreneurship. Chris shares how early lessons in nutrition and sport sparked a lifelong passion that evolved into a pioneering pet food business that champions raw, biologically appropriate food for pets. From losing $120K in the first two years to managing a team of 240 at just 25, Chris opens up about what it really takes to lead through chaos, stay accountable to your values, and build a business that lasts. Listeners will walk away with powerful leadership insights, raw entrepreneurial truths, and a blueprint for staying the course when everything seems stacked against you. This is more than a business story – it’s a masterclass in integrity and vision. 📌 Episode Breakdown 00:00 – 04:30 | Welcome & Framing the Journey  Introduction to the show’s focus on real leadership stories  Chris’s background and the story behind Big Dog  The themes of chaos, listening, and vision 04:31 – 11:00 | Early Passion & Discovering Food Science  A 12-year-old’s surprising shift from jam donuts to nutrition  Early academic struggles and finding purpose in food science  Combining passions: food, health, and animals 11:01 – 18:20 | From Smallgoods to Startup Life  Leaving corporate comfort for entrepreneurship  Realizing how little he actually knew about running a business  Losing money, raising a newborn, and pushing through 18:21 – 25:30 | The Entrepreneur’s Grind  Wearing every hat: production, sales, cleanup  Learning hard lessons in cashflow, pressure, and resilience  Embracing the 24/7 nature of building from scratch 25:31 – 32:00 | Educating a Market That Didn’t Understand You  The challenge of launching a product few understood  Reframing “BARF” and the science behind raw feeding  Fighting skepticism with conviction and facts 32:01 – 39:20 | Leadership by Standards and Culture  Holding suppliers and staff to human-grade standards  Why quality isn’t negotiable, even in pet food  Building a culture of integrity, clarity, and accountability 39:21 – 45:40 | Setbacks, Loyalty & Defining Moments  Losing a major partner and half the business overnight  Choosing not to let staff go and standing by the mission  The power of urgent action and transparent leadership 45:41 – 50:00 | Family Business, Real Conversations  Bringing his sons into Big Dog  Mentoring different personalities with different needs  Drawing the line between “Dad” and “MD” 50:01 – 55:00 | Lasting Vision & Practical Advice  Why Big Dog never strayed from its raw, natural roots  How values shape every leadership decision  Final advice: know your numbers, back your passion, and find your people 🎯 Key Takeaway “The only thing harder than starting a business is starting one that educates a market. But if you stay true to your values and your passion, you’ll find your place.” – Chris Essex Perfect For  Entrepreneurs launching new ventures  Founders commThank you for listening to 'Slicing Through The Noise' the podcast that uncovers real stories behind impactful leadership in Australia and around the world. Follow us: Apple Podcasts Spotify Linkedin Youtube Instagram

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