Meet our Premium Member Eugenia Panfilova and Ekaterina Baglaeva, co-founders of 4Paws Avenue

What is 4Paws Avenue, could you tell us a little bit more about the company?

It all started when we got our dogs. As first time dog owners, we realized how challenging it can be to choose the right products for the loved ones from the million options out there. So we’ve decided to take the matter in our own hands, partnered up with veterinarians, dog nutritionists and cynologists to create a shop that offers good quality, fit for purpose brands and products.

Our mission is to:

• Empower pet owners to make informed decisions, and purchases that benefit their dogs.
• Provide personalized offerings based on the dog’s unique profiles.
• Create a community of like-minded dog owners.

Tell us more about your plans for 2024. What is your long-term vision?

The plan for 2024 includes launching an e-commerce platform, opening several pop-up stores around Switzerland and one permanent store in Geneva. Our long term goal is to establish ourselves as a top 3 retail store in Switzerland, selling third-party brands as well as products under our own label.

What motivates you to continue your business every day?

Passion, feeling that our project can make a difference for dogs, their owners and, potentially, the pet industry.

One piece of advice for someone just starting out with their startup?

• Businesses with multiple founders are more successful than those founded by individuals according to MIT research. Find the right one, who has the same long term vision, but can challenge your point of view on daily things. 
• Keep a room for joy and fun during the process. 
• Keep looking at the business from different angles.

What does being a member of the Swiss Startup Association mean to you?

Personally: being a member of a Swiss Startup Association would help us deepen our understanding of a local market, and tap into a network of other funders.
Professionally: being part of the association could generate new opportunities, access to knowledge and information, as well as potential connections and investors.

Would you recommend joining the Swiss Startup Association? 

Absolutely, being part of the association and surrounding yourself with other driven interpreters can help boost business opportunities and create meaningful connections.