Cristina Galafate
Updated Thursday, March 7, 2024-02:11
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Many businesses were forced to close during the coronavirus lockdown.
On the other hand, for Imke Marks (Winsen/Luhe, Germany, March 17, 1985) the pandemic represented a business opportunity.
Her personal reinvention in a somewhat selfish way, she confesses,
for the good of her own farmers
, hers, Luka and Zizou (yes, she is a soccer fan and her partner is also a Real Madrid fan).
Living in Madrid since 2009 for studies and love, she realized that in Spain alone there are already
more than 15 million registered dogs and cats
.
More pets than children under 14 years of age, according to the
National Institute of Statistics
.
"If we look at Europe, there are 340 million. The numbers grew by close to 40% as they spent so much time locked up at home. The owners had more time to take care of them and feel accompanied," he explains at home, while caring for his affectionate family nucleus as if it were children.
PASSIONATE ABOUT NUTRITION
His entire professional career has been developed in the world of food for different companies, such as Nestlé, Monbake and Foodiverse.
"I'm one of those people who
always looks at the labels
, I love nutrition and I read all the articles about the benefits of each food," she confesses.
Along the way he specialized in
nutraceuticals
, between medicines and foods.
"They are natural ingredients that go through a process to obtain an active ingredient that helps us do something. Minerals, amino acids... For example, collagen for joints," he clarifies.
That put him in contact with the best ingredient suppliers focused on food safety and healthy, accessible eating.
Marks saw that the world of supplementation generated a lot of interest but
for pets there was not much offer
or he did not like what was done, because he would not give it to his dogs.
"Everything that exists in humans is also available in animals, so I left everything and started with my own business plan, uniting the two worlds that I liked."
He named the company Mooiza.
"I wanted to get away from the typical names that start with
pet
and be very different."
He developed the formulation for dogs and cats.
"They have
problems similar to those of people
with age, for example, with joints, but you cannot explain to them that if they take the supplement they will do well, you have to make it delicious and in a cookie so that they will eat it" , swipe.
FROM HAIR TO JOINTS
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It has six product ranges to cover different needs.
Zen is the only olfactory one because animals also live with anxiety.
"
They are as stressed as we are
. The lack of routine or spending a lot of time alone affects them, as does the mental state of their human. They need stability and routine, and if they lack it, this supplement helps them a lot."
It is composed of aloe vera, lavender, lemon balm and passionflower aroma, among other natural ingredients.
"Promotes calm, tranquility and relaxation during trips, fireworks, storms, training periods...".
Among the nutrients, Flex stands out, with green mussel, glucosamine, controitin and collagen, which helps maintain the dog's
agility and natural vitality
, it provides.
"This food is designed for all growing breeds or dogs with a lot of activity."
Another of the most successful is the one that
improves its coat
from the inside.
"It is a nutritious liquid based on vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, D3, E, biotin and zinc, which is added to food. It also contains vegetable oil, fish oil, beeswax and soybean oil."
As with magnesium or Omega 3 in adults, "
without consistency, supplementation does not work
," he points out.
"You have to give it time and the right dose," he adds.
PROVEN STUDIES
The German entrepreneur but from Madrid by adoption, in her garden, giving supplements to her pet.EM
"Cats are more picky. We get them to take it
seven out of 10 in the studies
and with dogs nine out of 10."
His Labradors are the first to try them.
"It is important that they like it,
it does not stain, it does not contain chemical additives, sugars or cereals
. "
He works with the natural active ingredient powder and tests until he gets it to be stable.
"My target audience is people who want their pets to have a good quality of life and be with them as long as possible."
There will be those who think it is frivolous or a luxury.
"Food is the basis of everything and the same thing happens with them. If you want to live better for as long as possible and you care about your health, you want to do it with your pets."
The brand was born in 2021, it has invoiced 100,000 euros last year but it estimates reaching half a million this year because it has just catapulted the firm with very large clients.
It is present in Europe through Amazon, Tiendanimal and specialized stores from 14.90 euros.
They will soon launch probiotics and prebiotics, move on.
"I continue to learn continuously and
I like to listen to people to redirect products
. At first my protein was chicken and I had to change it to lamb because it was one of the main allergens. I love the challenge of maintaining scientific rigor and discovering how achieve the well-being of the kings of the house".