Inspiring Conversations with Benjamin Ramirez Reed of Oak & Berry

Today we’d like to introduce you to Benjamin Ramirez Reed. 

Hi Benjamin, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
It all started for me when I was working at a dog daycare that my mother owned and ran. Over the course of 18 years, I worked my way up to managing the business. You can imagine I saw every kind of dog from every situation! I always noticed when people were walking their dogs into the daycare, and the dogs were jumping and barking with excitement, people would have problems with their dog’s collars. To tight and the dog would start coughing terribly, to lose and the dog would slip backwards, the collar would come off and the pup would run free as a bird! (And cause trouble) In the afternoons, people would come in to get their dog and go to grab their leash (much like a coat check, the leashes would be by the door) and they couldn’t find their leash. It seemed like everyone had the same nylon leash from Petsmart. 

So, I began making leather leashes and collars as custom requests for pups. But there’re a few things wrong with leather. First: if you get it wet, it’s done. Game over. The leather will stretch, then crack. Second: leather has a heavy environmental impact. From the deforestation for pasture land to the chemicals used to tan the leather. It’s not good. 

So, I looked high and low for something to offer people and their puppers that would solve all these issues. Let them show offer their pup in style. But also, be able to keep up with a dog’s adventurous lifestyle! All while not wrecking the planet, we all call home. 

Enter Piñatex and Oak & Berry, Dog Supplies. Made from upcycled pineapple leaves, Piñatex offered the perfect combination of strength, style, and green friendliness for people’s pups. It’s soft and strong, water-resistant, and plant-based. Oak & Berry, my business, hand sews top-of-the-line dog collars and leashes (and harness to come) for peoples pampered pups to adventure in style! 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There have certainly been challenges along the way! 

One of the most difficult things has been getting people to understand the amazingness of Piñatex dog supplies. Every time I hand a dog collar made out of Piñatex to someone, they say “oh, what a beautiful leather collar!” The shocked look is almost worth it when I tell them it’s not leather, it’s made from leaves. It’s almost as good as the horrified look when I chuck the collar over my shoulder in a tank of water. A quick dunk doesn’t hurt the collar at all. (Unlike leather) 

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Oak & Berry, LLC?
I designed Oak & Berry, Dog Supplies to offer you (and your pupper) stylish, high-quality collars and leashes without breaking the planet. 

Designed with a playful pup in mind, each collar and each leash can stand up to years of rough adventure, and even become softer with the use. A lot like leather. Which it’s better than. 

We only use Piñatex as the material for the collars and leashes. Piñatex, as its name implies, is a textile made from pineapple leaves. Or more specifically, the fibers from up-cycled pineapple leaves leftover from the canning industry. No extra land, water, or fertilizer is needed to produce Piñatex, which makes it environmentally friendly and sustainable. 

If your pup splashes through a creek, no problem! Piñatex is water-resistant. Does your dog play rough with other dogs? Oak & Berry collars are scuff resistant. Maybe your pup is just SO excited about life that they pull on lead (I mean, I get it. I love life too). Oak & Berry collars are folded twice before sewing to make a strong and soft, padded style that will be gentle on their neck (and your hand too, if you have an O&B leash.) 

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
We make everything by hand. From folding the Piñatex to setting the rivets (Ok, we use a sewing machine. Shh). I train all of Oak & Berry’s Canine Tailors (The people who make your dog’s collars and leashes. I don’t actually have dogs at the sewing machines. Although that would be adorable.) to measure, cut and sew all of the items we offer you with an eye for quality. You have a quality dog, (there are no bad quality dogs, only bad quality owners.) I want you and your pup to have a good quality leash or collar, or leash and collar. 

Pricing:

• Martingale Dog Collar $29.99
• Quick-release Dog Collar $29.99
• Dog Leash $49.99
• Dog Leash With Second Handle $49.99

Contact Info:

• Email: support@oaknberry.com
• Website: www.oaknberry.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oaknberry/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OakNBerry/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyTPu-av1FXjXH3PdGR_A4w

Image Credits
KNG Marketing