When I created the Surro-Kitty®, I didn’t begin with a grand vision or long-term strategy. At the time, the goal was simple: create and sell nursers that could help vulnerable kittens. Today, the vision for Wholeful Pet extends far beyond pet products.

Since relocating to Southwest Virginia for law school, the town of Grundy has become the operational center of Wholeful Pet. This transition comes at a time when conversations surrounding the economic future of rural Appalachia are growing louder, especially as Buchanan County searches for sustainable paths forward in a changing economy.

As I’ve become part of those conversations, I’ve spent time thinking about the role entrepreneurship can play in creating long-term opportunities in places like rural Appalachia. In an economy increasingly shaped by remote work, e-commerce, and small-scale manufacturing, rural communities have the opportunity to become centers of innovation and independent business growth rather than places left behind by modern economic change. This realization has helped clarify my long-term vision for Wholeful Pet.

Part of my “why” now includes supporting the return of American manufacturing and building brands that contribute to regional economic growth. I believe small businesses can play a meaningful role in revitalizing local economies by creating meaningful jobs, encouraging investment, and proving that innovative companies can build and thrive outside of major metropolitan areas.

Wholeful Pet may have started with one product, but the future I envision is much larger. I see a company that continues developing thoughtful products for animals while also contributing to a broader story about entrepreneurship, resilience, and economic renewal in Appalachia.

Grundy may seem like an unlikely place to build a modern consumer brand, but that is exactly what makes the opportunity meaningful. The future of American business will not belong exclusively to large cities; it will also belong to independent builders, small manufacturers, and entrepreneurs creating something lasting in communities that still believe in hard work, adaptability, and reinvention.

Wholeful Pet is still growing, and many parts of that future are still being built. However, the long-term vision feels clear—not just for the company itself, but for what it can represent. #ShippedFromGrundy