#025 Ever wondered what drives someone to completely reinvent an essential product that everyone takes for granted? Meet Addison Edmonds, the visionary founder of Gunner, who transformed dog travel safety by refusing to accept the status quo.
Addison's journey began with his beloved chocolate Lab, Gunner, and a simple frustration: why don't travel kennels actually protect dogs? From humble beginnings at Ole Miss to bootstrapping a revolutionary product design, this conversation takes you behind the scenes of building a brand that's saved countless canine lives. You'll hear the raw emotion as Addison recalls the loss of his best friend and how that pain fueled his determination to create something meaningful.
What makes this episode particularly compelling is the unfiltered look at entrepreneurship alongside fatherhood. While developing crash-tested kennels that could withstand forces no other product could handle, Addison and his wife were also raising four children under four years old. The parallels between nurturing a growing business and a growing family create a relatable narrative about pursuing passion while maintaining perspective.
Whether you're a dog lover, an aspiring entrepreneur, or simply someone who appreciates seeing a problem solved through grit and determination, this conversation delivers authentic insights about building something that matters. From working directly with customers to managing a team of nearly 40 employees, Addison shares the challenges of scaling without sacrificing the soul of what makes Gunner special.
Ready to be inspired by what happens when someone cares enough to fix what's broken? Listen now and discover how one man's love for his dog created an entire category of products that pet owners never knew they needed – until they couldn't imagine living without them.