Dog is Good Recognized as Outstanding Small Business, Veteran Owned At 2013 SCORE Awards in Dallas

LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. - Aug. 21, 2013 - PRLog -- Los Alamitos, Calif. — Dog is Good, a “dog lifestyle” company for dog lovers, was honored last week at the national SCORE awards.  The SCORE Awards is an annual event that celebrates the outstanding achievements of America’s small businesses.  At this event, SCORE recognizes the people and companies that have demonstrated unique vision, innovation and achievement in support of America’s economy and small business community.

Dog is Good, founded and co-owned by retired U.S. Navy Captain Jon Kurtz and his wife Gila, offers a wide variety of stylish and fun items through nearly 1000 retail stores nationwide and a variety of catalogs and websites. The company’s mission is to “Deliver Dogvergnügen,” a word they created to describe how great one feels when with their dog.   Since inception in 2007, the company’s award-winning products have offered up humorous taglines that are well understood and appreciated by dog lovers.  Because the company licenses the brand to several manufacturers, as well as conducting wholesale and retail operations, the broad product mix ranges from puppy pee pads to bar towels to zippered hoodies for women.

According to co-founder and CEO Jon Kurtz, “This is a really great honor.  SCORE has helped us with a number of issues as we have grown the business, and as we continue to grow they always have the expertise we need to help us work through difficult decisions.”  Kurtz, a 1982 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, subsequently served more than 27 years of active duty, and immediately went full time into the business upon retirement. But as a professional dog trainer, it was Gila’s passion for dogs that initially led the couple to recognize a void and a niche in the marketplace that they could fill.

Co-owner and sales director Gila Kurtz had this to say about SCORE’s contribution to the Dog is Good business, “We are really about creating, building and perpetuating a brand, so message is paramount.  Leading us through a sort of ‘discovery process’ to articulate what we are really about was the most valuable thing we got from SCORE.  One of our mentors, Tom Patty, who has a wealth of experience never told us what to do, but rather got us through a process over time.”  And as Jon Kurtz alluded to in receiving the award, every time the company grows into a new set of problems, there is a SCORE mentor standing by to answer the call.

SCORE mentors, who all work as volunteers, are passionate about what they do.  Malcolm Geffen, a mentor in the Orange County, CA SCORE chapter also worked with Jon and Gila Kurtz.  "I spent a long career building businesses and I fully understand the challenges faced by owners, especially in start ups,” said Geffen.  As a SCORE mentor, and I think I speak for many of us, it is very rewarding to share our expertise to benefit others.  It's especially rewarding to see companies like Dog is Good get recognized for their achievement. Jon and Gila have been both creative and disciplined in their approach to building Dog is Good and it shows in the focus and the professionalism with which their business has been managed, and in how it has grown"

About Dog is Good

Dog is Good is a Dog Lifestyle company that creates and markets gifts and apparel for dog lovers. Located in Los Alamitos, CA (Orange County approximately 30 miles south of L.A.) the company sells wholesale and retail, and licenses the brand to numerous manufacturers in the pet, gift and home décor industries. Primarily still known for their award-winning apparel line, the brand is quickly becoming widely recognized in the pet, gift and home décor markets. They have developed a reputation for generously giving back to animal welfare organizations throughout the United States.

About SCORE

SCORE, the Service Corps of Retired Executives, is a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship and has been doing this for nearly fifty years.  SCORE volunteer mentors share their expertise across 62 different industries through confidential business counseling in person or via e-mail, in workshops and webinars, and provide tools and templates online. SCORE is supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and is headquartered in Herndon, VA.

For further information about Dog is Good, visit www.dogisgood.com or contact Gila Kurtz, 562.735.0219 or gila@dogisgood.com.