In honor of Black History Month, we’re spotlighting #ACKChamber Black Owned Businesses! We asked James Broad of Pawsitivity a few questions, here are his answers!

Q: How would you describe your business or service?
A: At Pawsitivity, we focus on creating handcrafted one of a kind products for dogs that are locally made and ethically sourced. From hand printed reversible dog harnesses with our iconic shark print to our newest collection of stunning collar & leash sets featuring 22K gold plated buckles, our goal is to bring a new standard of design and quality to customers that they have never seen before in the pet industry. Part of why I really enjoy running our store locations is I get to see the excitement on people’s faces when they see our prints and discover our brand for the first time. The idea of bringing back Main Streets across the country and successful retail in general hinges on supporting independent brands who are rethinking the design and production of the products available to consumers as well the in-store experience they offer. 

Q: To what Do you attribute your success?
A: I think my success stems from an unwillingness to conform and a resistance to settle for the status quo. My wife has these same attributes and the drive to build something great. We have complementary skills sets and we are fortunate to have the opportunity to build Pawsitivity together. 

Q: How did you get here professionally?
A: As a kid I liked to earn money to fund my interest in snowboarding and mountain biking. I was always pet sitting, mowing yards, shoveling and finding ways to earn money on my own. It was never my intention to become an entrepreneur, but in hindsight, all of these things taught me relevant skills to a budding entrepreneur such as how to negotiate, collecting payment or delivering the agreed upon service.

After college, I worked in a number of different sales and human resources roles. I certainly faced biases during the interview process where I was told another candidate was a better “cultural fit for the organization” or felt someone less qualified received a promotion ahead of me. Being first generation, I did not have a lot of context with respect to the institutionalized racism I encountered.

It is encouraging we are talking about these kinds of issues today in America and acknowledging them. Being an entrepreneur allows me to carve my own path, instead of relying on corporations to eventually allow equal access. I truly believe entrepreneurship offers a lot of untapped opportunity for minorities and females to attain their full potential. I still have occasions where someone is clearly surprised I am an owner of the business, but I also feel every positive interaction I have with people through the brand helps break down unconscious bias little by little.  

Q: Who is the most influential black person throughout history or in your life and why?
A: My Uncle Attu always pushed me to expect more of myself and instilled in me the idea that we are capable of more than we know when we don't compromise.  

In terms of a black person in history, we actually named our first child Lewis after Rep John Lewis, a fearless leader of America’s civil rights movement. John Lewis epitomized bravery, commitment and solidarity. 

Q: Why do you think it's important to support other black owned businesses?
A: Supporting other black owned businesses empowers black people to create their own path to thrive in this country. When we establish new paths to success for minorities, a whole new generation of black children can benefit.

Q: Any tips or advice for young black people interested in starting their own business?
A: Invest in and advocate for yourself! 

Q: What can we expect next from your company?
A: We just opened our second store location in Vail, Co and plan to continue to expand the brand with additional locations this year and over the coming years. We have also begun to curate a special collection of complimentary products for our stores made by artisans across the country. We now carry hand thrown dog bowls & mugs, as well as hand knit dog sweaters that are made in Texas and Colorado, respectively. We plan to expand these types of collaborations, which ultimately help other small businesses grow.