9yo entrepreneur’s dog treats a recipe for success

What started as a nice way to treat her four-legged best friend has turned into a growing business for a Coast nine-year-old.

Laura Barnacz created Noosa Paws Dicecream after spending six months away from her four-legged best friend, Benji. Picture: Supplied.

Seeing the smiles on dogs’ faces as they have “the time of their life” enjoying a healthy ice-cream is what drives a Coast nine-year-old to grow her business.

Laura Barnacz and her mother Ildiko Sztojka created Noosa Paws Dicecream two months ago and now supply five Coast stores including Terella Brewing, North Arm, Sunshine Beach General “G” Store, The Velo Project Coffee, Mooloolaba and Raw Energy, Cotton Tree.

Laura said she came up with the idea after spending six months away from her four-legged best friend, Benji.

“I loved Benji more than anything, truly I had this really big passion for him and a passion to cook and bake,” she said.

“But I didn’t see him for half a year, and it was a really long time and I cried myself to sleep every night.

“So, when I made this ice-cream that was coconut milk, strawberries and honey I thought wait a minute, Benji can have some of this so that day we came up with all these ideas for this ice-cream brand.”

Laura Barnacz shares a Noosa Paws Dicecream with her dog Benji. Picture: Supplied.

Ms Sztojka said it wasn’t until they took the idea to the public that they realised it could be a successful business.

“Firstly we were joking and then we thought maybe it’s not a joke because if Benji likes it, it would be beneficial for other dogs because we know that some owners give them normal ice-cream which is not healthy for them so we just wanted to treat them,” she said.

“We brainstormed as a family and we went to a beach and offered free samples to other dogs and we got really nice feedback and support, so we made the product based on that feedback.”

Being dairy free, Noosa Paws Dicecream is completely edible and uses a dental stick as the popsicle.

Its biodegradable packaging is made in Australia and fruit ingredients are sourced from local farmers.

Noosa Paws Dicecream is completely edible and uses a dental stick as the popsicle. Picture: Supplied.

Laura, who hand makes the “dicecreams”, said the treat was a perfect way for dogs to cool down.

“It’s just the smile on peoples’ and dogs’ faces, you can tell they are enjoying it,” she said.

She said seeing the business grow was “amazing”.

“I like to share my love towards all doggies and share my joy with everyone when their doggie is having the time of their life eating my dicecream,” she said.

“People are so sweet, they are amazing and so supportive, we never thought people would be this supportive but how we have grown over the past few months was very positive.”

Laura and Ms Sztojka hope to grow the business so the dicecream are available in most dog friendly venues on the Sunshine Coast.

Ten per cent of the profit from each dicecream helps supporting local homeless families through Salvation Army and RSPCA rescue dogs.

For more information click here.

Originally published as