News
‘PAW-FECT’ Dog Treat Business Booms For Fifteen-Year-Old Entrepreneur
May 18, 2023 | IN Media Release and News | BY AVID | 3 min read
A fifteen-year-old Sunshine Coast entrepreneur has been making waves in his local community with
his handmade dog treats and service with a smile – a passion earning him the top shelf at surrounding
Sunshine Coast IGAs.
A love for animals led teenager, Ollie Akester, to embark on his own business venture – Ollie’s Dog
Treats – offering chicken jerky, peanut butter cookies, blueberry cookies and other pooch-friendly
goodies.
Ollie’s business has become an integral part of the Sunshine Coast community with monthly stalls in
his community, Harmony by AVID Property Group (AVID), the Mooloolaba Sunset Markets, and now
retailing in local IGAs and cafés.
Initially starting out as a hobby, Ollie said he has fast become the Sunny Coasts’ go-to for gourmet
dog treats.
“My family first moved into Harmony in 2019 but it wasn’t until 2021 when I started selling dog cookies
every Saturday at Harmony’s Grand Linear Park,” Mr Akester said.
“Throughout the years, I have perfected my baking skills and now only make the biscuits and treats
which I know are a popular go-to for the locals and their four-legged friends.
“The community has been a great support network, especially Harmony’s Business Hub – an initiative
within the community made to connect local business owners and the local community with our
products and services.
“I was gifted a Square Reader – for cashless payments for my market stall – by one of the Business
Hub members and another member even offered to help me set up my website,” he said.
Small Business Month in May recognises more than 473,000 small businesses in Queensland, which
account for 97 per cent of the business sector and contribute around $117 billion to the state’s
economy. 1
AVID General Manager Queensland Bruce Harper said AVID’s dedicated team is always looking for
ways to engage and support its growing small business community at Harmony.
“A strong community setting helps small businesses prosper through word of mouth and regular
customers that further support the economic development of our region,” Mr Harper said.
“People are at the heart of everything we do, and it’s initiatives like Harmony’s Business Hub that
allows businesses to learn, grow and succeed through collaboration and innovation.
“Underpinned by AVID’s mission is the importance of strengthening ties with the local community and
continuing our goal of fostering lasting connections with local community groups and businesses
important to our residents,” he said.
Harmony’s Business Hub offers an online directory for local businesses to introduce and advertise
their product or service to more than 700 members. The Hub also hosts monthly networking events at
the onsite café, Café Harmony, for the local business owners to connect and network with fellow
founders, form collaborations and seek advice.
For more information about Ollie’s Dog Treats visit: https://www.facebook.com/Ollie’sDogTreats
1. Queensland Government, Business Queensland Small Business Month, 2023
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