Entrepreneur creates personalized and durable pet ID tags.

Beatriz Bevilaqua, 247 - Brazil has never had so many pets. According to the Pet Brazil Institute and Abinpet, there are more than 160 million pets, making the country the third with the largest number in the world. Furthermore, we occupy the second position in the global pet market, with more than 285 companies focused on this segment in the country.

This sector is constantly evolving, bringing more and more personalization and innovations such as GPS identification and traceability, preventive health services, natural supplements, gourmet bakeries, therapeutic cannabidiol in food, subscription clubs, and even funeral services.

In the "Entrepreneurship Brazil" episode of TV 247, Olívia Ruete, founder of Pet Name, recounts how she opened the first store in the country specializing in pet identification tags made of flexible silicone. Unlike metal tags, which can make noise when they hit the collar and bother animals, silicone tags are lightweight, silent, and comfortable. Furthermore, the engraved data doesn't wear out over time, ensuring greater durability and security.

Olivia had never considered starting a business until she noticed a common problem among pet owners: the durability of identification tags. Her own dogs had always worn metal tags, but one day she noticed that the contact information was completely worn out, rendering the identification useless.

"My dogs have always had identification tags because I was afraid that, if they got lost, at least they would have a contact number and be able to get back home. But one day I went to get the tag and saw that the information was erased. Then I thought: there has to be something better than this," says Olivia.

Determined to find a solution, she searched the internet until she discovered silicone tags in the United States. "I wanted something high-quality, durable, and aesthetically pleasing. I found the product abroad and asked a friend to bring it to test on my dogs. I really liked it because, besides being pretty, it doesn't wear down the tags, which is the most important thing," she explained.

Upon realizing that this type of product didn't exist in Brazil, Olivia saw an opportunity. "I talked to my husband and he helped me start the company." That's how Pet Name was born, the first store in the country specializing in silicone identification tags for pets.

When deciding to start her own business, Olivia faced the uncertainties common to those who begin a new venture. Before launching Pet Name, she put everything on paper and set aside an initial investment to take the first steps. She needed to find the right materials, acquire the engraving machine, and structure the operation. But, right at the beginning, an unexpected challenge arose: the pandemic.

"We started in 2020, and then the pandemic hit. We thought the business wouldn't take off, but the opposite happened. With people spending more time at home, many people adopted or bought dogs. This increased the demand for identification tags," says Olívia.

In the beginning, the company operated almost entirely from home. "I did everything myself. My husband helped with some parts, but I was the one who answered the calls, engraved the signs, and went to the post office to ship the orders. Everything was done in the garage at home," she recalls.

Growth was gradual and organic. "In the beginning, I sent the tags in plain white envelopes, without any personalization. It was all very simple, but the quality of the product won over the customers." Thus, Pet Name gained ground and established itself in the Brazilian pet market.

Today, the company's growth is exponential, with its social media networks accumulating over 100 followers and customers. Watch the full interview: