We had the good fortune of connecting with Kerry Cooke and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kerry, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
Many years ago, after a tragic event in our lives, my daughter and I made a promise to each other. We pledged that one day we would do something good for this world, something that would offset all the negative experiences from our lives. For a while we weren’t quite sure what this ‘something good’ would be. That is until 2019 when we came up with the idea for Spleash!

Why would we consider inventing a product like Spleash ‘something good’? Well, we decided early on that not only would our product be a tool to help make pet-owners lives easier, it would also be a platform for helping others. That’s why a portion of our proceeds is dedicated to PetPartners.org and their Therapy Animal training programs. Because what they do is important to the world, and to us personally.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I started out my career in sales at Gallo Wine Company, and this experience was followed by a stint in sales training for cookies, crackers, and other savory snacks for Nabisco. Then finally, I fell into the world of genetics. Or, more specifically, the sale of genetic tests. After starting with a company called Myriad, I worked for a long list of powerhouse genetics companies before I finally decided enough was enough; I was going to become my own boss! Of course I’m still in the process of fulfilling this dream, but my hopes are high for the future!

The journey to become my own boss has been a harrowing one. From teaching myself nearly every aspect of setting up and running a company to dealing with the headache of manufacturing and shipping, I was all on my own, and that’s what made the whole experience so ultimately rewarding. I, by myself (and with a little bit of help from family and friends), was able to create something original and genuinely my own from the ground up.

It wasn’t easy getting to this point. We fell into our fair share of pitfalls. With the emergence of Covid-19 the same year we started our business, we’ve had to make a lot of unexpected adjustments, to how we ran the company and to our own expectations. With shipping delays and manufacturing struggles it was more than frustrating, sometimes almost demoralizing to keep this business going. But my daughter and I stood by each other, stood by our ideas, and together the Big Problems didn’t seem quite so daunting anymore.

More than anything, I want people to know that our company isn’t just about selling an admittedly very unique dog product. It’s about the bond between myself and my daughter. Our struggles, our hopes, our fears, these are all things that were built into the very foundations of this company. It’s a part of us and we hope you all enjoy what we’ve worked so hard to create.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well, I haven’t been to Denver in a few years, but my brother (who also happens to be my business partner) is a Colorado resident. He says on our next visit; we just have to go to places like 54thirty, a lovely rooftop bar that he says is an excellent destination for those perfect weather days. My brother also recommended some great spots like Williams and Graham, a fun and classic speakeasy, and the Grizzly Rose, where I hear you can take your chances on a mechanical bull! Giddy-up, I suppose! He also stands by the SoCo and Five Points areas, saying they are chock full of incredible and exciting adventures. You just have to discover them!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would love to give a shoutout to my daughter, Katherine Cooke, who also happens to be the Creative Director here at Spleash. She is a very smart and capable young woman and without her support, love, quick witted writing, and imaginative thinking I don’t know where we’d be right now!

Website: www.spleash.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spleash_your_leash/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tail-chasers-llc

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TailChasersLLC

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TailChasersLLC

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@spleash_your_leash

Image Credits
Jussi Oksanen

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.