A passion for pets
If you had told Jade Dominique back when he was in college that he would have a two-decades-long career in the pet industry, he would have told you that you were crazy.
But that’s exactly where he ended up.
Growing up in Archbold, a small town in Northwest Ohio, he was surrounded by loving pets over the years, including four dogs and a cat, Friskie. This early connection and formidable bond with animals planted the seeds for his future career. The other part of his motivation? A desire to help pet owners provide the best possible care for their furry family members.
“I fell in love with the pet industry because I’m passionate about offering solutions and better products for the pets that are so much a part of people’s lives,” Jade explains. “It’s incredibly rewarding to work for companies that innovate products aimed at improving the health and wellness of pets.”
“I fell in love with the pet industry because I’m passionate about offering solutions and better products for the pets that are so much a part of people’s lives.”
Following his passion:
Jade first entered the pet industry through a premier natural pet food company, which, at the time, was number one in the market. Though he’s grateful for the experience, he eventually grew weary of working primarily in the food niche. “Behind the scenes, they’re all so similar—comparable ingredients, processes; just different marketing,” he recalls.
That’s when he met Sarah Scarlet, the founder and owner of First Honey and Moko. Her businesses center around all-natural Mānuka honey sourced from her family-owned hives in New Zealand.
“When I heard the story and the science behind Mānuka honey, I was like, ‘Wow. This is amazing. This is magical.’ People in every industry want to go natural, but often you sacrifice results. Mānuka honey offers better results than chemicals. It’s a product with superior solutions and efficacy,” Jade adds.
Inspired and intrigued, Jade knew he wanted to get involved. “Sarah and her family are the kind of people you want to be around. They are genuine, authentic, and passionate about making the world a better place.”
The family’s hands-on approach to Mānuka is impressive—they control their land in New Zealand, and Sarah’s brother personally oversees the beekeeping operations. “It’s not just a marketing story; it’s real. Sarah’s brother is out there, harvesting the honey. It’s almost too good to be true. It really can make a difference,” Jade explains. “We gelled perfectly in terms of personality and vision.”
Combining his two decades of experience in the pet industry with Sarah’s expertise in the scientific and medicinal benefits of Mānuka honey, the partnership was a perfect match.
“When I heard the story and the science behind Manuka honey, I was like, wow. This is amazing. This is magical.”
Part of a bigger story
Jade’s deep-seated passion for the wellbeing of pets is also nurtured by a very personal connection he has with his own dog, Teddy—a loving, blonde-hued mini-golden doodle with a unique white spot on his chest and an adorable underbite that makes him look like he’s always smiling.
“We had been researching credible breeders for a dog that suited our needs and found a great reputable breeder in Georgia. We decided to take our three kids on a road trip and surprised them with the chance to pick out a puppy when we got there. When all the puppies came running out, some were highly energetic, and some were shy. But something about Teddy drew my whole family to him. We knew he would be the perfect addition to our family.”
Growing up with dogs, Jade had a pretty good understanding of what to expect in terms of the quirky everyday behaviors, but he found it interesting and amazing how dogs have a deeper understanding of who’s in their life and who needs attention.
Teddy has a unique bond with Jade’s 10-year-old son, Hudson, who has special needs. “Teddy gives him so much love. He is so gentle with Hudson, always giving him the most kisses when he wakes up or gets home from school, and he’s always Teddy’s first choice to cuddle with on the couch. Their bond is incredible.”
MEET
TEDDY
Age: 5
Breed: Mini-Golden Doodle
Personality: Calm, loving, intuitive, and well-behaved. He loves our family endlessly. He is so sweet with the kids.
Cutest quirk: Teddy greets every delivery person with enthusiasm, going bonkers wagging his tail! He’s even formed relationships with them. When our UPS driver got a new route, he brought Teddy a gift and hung out with him for a bit on the porch. Teddy puts a smile on everyone’s face—he’s just an amazing dog.
Best trick: Teddy ‘prays’ with our family at mealtime by pausing at his bowl before eating. We didn’t necessarily teach him this, but since our family always prays before a meal, it’s something he’s picked up on.
Moko must-have: The Moko ear wipes are amazing! They’ve become a daily routine for us that Teddy looks forward to. They clean and comfort him. While he thinks I’m spoiling him, they’re also providing amazing benefits.
Favorite treat: He loves limited-ingredient jerky treats.
Go-to activity: We’ve started a family tradition – Teddy Tuesday. Every Tuesday, we take him out and spoil him. This could include walks, dog parks, getting him a pup cup at a local ice cream store, and other fun activities. He loves us every day, so he deserves some Teddy time for extra love and attention.
