Chewy Chews vending machine are being export to the US with support form TIQ

A family business which just over two years ago launched an Australian first doggie treats vending machine linked up with Trade and Investment Queensland and is now exporting to the US.

Chewy Chews co-owner Samantha Guida with her children Sienna and Charlie, and their family dog Louie. Picture: Olivia Pratt- Hannah Photography

In the middle of the covid-pandemic Samantha and Massimo Guida launched their first pilot Chewy Chews natural doggie treats vending machine in the back of their high-end inner Brisbane laundry.

Fast forward more than two years and the couple has almost 100 vending machines around Australia offering natural, veterinary recommended Australian made dog treats.

With strong interest from a US distributor the family business tapped into the sixth round of funding from Trade and Investment Queensland’s (TIQ) Go Global Export Program and they have just exported 10 Chewy Chews standing vending machines and one wall mounted to the US – the world’s biggest market – with more to come.

“We’re working on 36,000 dog treats for the US which is the first stop because we’re getting inquiries from around the world,” Ms Guida said.

“We have other businesses but this is the first time that we’ve exported and we worked a lot with TIQ who gave us the confidence to grow.”

Chewy Chews Owner Samantha Guida her dog Louie. Photo: Olivia Pratt – Hannah Photography

TIQ is the Queensland Government’s dedicated global business agency with representation in 16 countries, across 21 locations, with 12 Trade and Investment Commissioners covering seven regions around the world.

Its gives grants of up to $25,000 help Queensland businesses overcome common exporting barriers faced when entering new international markets, including accreditation, logistics, packing and product trials.

It also helps connect recipients to clients through their extensive international trade network to simplify navigation of local languages, regulations and make valuable introductions.

Since its launch in February 2020, the Go Global Export Program has provided over $3.6m in grants which have delivered almost $39m in export outcomes, and created 133 new jobs. Chewy Chews started in late 2021 after the Guidas launched their 24-hour Liquid Laundry business in Austin St, Newstead.

“It was Australia’s first high end laundromat and out the back we offered dog wash stations which led to our own doggie treats as a reward after the wash,” Ms Guida said.

“We decided to do our own and went through a friend to create the highest grade doggie treats and because the laundromat was opened 24/7 we came up with the idea of a vending machine.”

It is Australia’s first doggie treats vending machine offering 51 different snack varieties including emu, venison jerky, duck. wild turkey, sardine, roo jerky, and chicken.

The idea took off and the second vending machine was installed at the Merthyr Village Shopping Centre in New Farm. As well as vending machines they are also sold online.

Ms Guida said they then started getting phone call for shopping centre owners around the country.

“We started going dog wash shows and we met our US distributor who was blown away by the idea,” she said.

“We firmly believe the US is the perfect place to start our international expansion journey.

“We knew of the success stories of TIQ helping Queensland businesses with their export ambitions and, as a first-time exporter, thought it would be of great benefit to us to leverage

their vast global network, not only in this initial move overseas but also as our expansion plans grow.

“Building on this partnership with TIQ, we are certainly more confident to grow our international business further by gaining clarity in identifying the potential of new markets in

the years to come.”

Samantha and Massimo Guida with their first Chewy Chews vending machines in Newstead.

Go Global Export Program Round Six has 35 funding recipients helping them to take their products around the world.

Four of the latest recipients were funded as part of the Queensland-India Trade and Investment Strategy 2023-2027. Another three are Sports Tech companies, which was a priority sector in this round in the lead up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Some of the recipients include companies like Myriad Technologies, Lucas Papaw Remedies, Hospital In Your Home, Granddad Jack’s Craft Distillery, Bus 4X4 Global, Cinema on the Fly, Silver Sea Foods, Turmeric Life, Sprout Organic, Australian Skin Lab and WellBrewd Equipment.

TIQ chief executive Justin McGowan said he was endlessly impressed by the vision and tenacity of Queensland exporters who range from the Atherton Tablelands through to the Gold Coast.

“The contribution of exports to a flourishing Queensland economy is compelling and at TIQ we remain committed to supporting the successful export journeys of businesses just like these,” he said.

“Queensland businesses continue to prove that our state produces products and services of exceptional quality that are increasingly in demand around the world. Ongoing support and investment in our exporters is critical as these businesses show that when we stand behind Queensland exporters they unequivocally deliver.”

Mr Guida, who is a self confessed serial entrepreneur whose main business is Mussi Electrical, said they planned to have their vending machines in every US state.

But without TIQ they would not have known where to start.

“They were phenomenal from the application, to the grant process and through to exporting,” he said.