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Sudsy Success Because Every Dog Has His Day Spa!
By Regan Michelle White
Do you love all-natural products? Ever feel frustrated at
not being able to find the same all-natural alternatives for your pooch when it
comes to bath products? Your search is over. All Labs is proud to feature
Candace Smith’s Cain & Able Collection.
The Cain & Able Collection offers a high-end line of
aromatherapy bath products for dogs that offer spa-style pampering while
repelling bugs and fleas through all natural ingredients. Including everything
from Paw Rub moisturizer, conditioning shampoo, lavender fresh Between Baths
Spritz and oatmeal Soap-on-a-Rope, the Cain & Able Collection is as
charming as it is practical. Products contain no detergents, artificial colors
or synthetic perfumes and essential oils act as great smelling repellants,
moisturizers and coat-rejuvenators.
Created in August of 2003 and officially launched in May
2004 after extensive product research and development, the Cain & Able
Collection was formed by Louisiana native Candace Smith. She received plenty of
inspiration, packaging and product advice from the company’s namesakes – her dogs,
Cain and Able. Cain, a black German Shepherd/Siberian Husky mix, and Able, a
yellow Lab, provided Smith with the initial drive to craft the collection – and
their influence has only grown with the product line’s success.
“I love all natural products and prefer never to use
man-made chemicals,” Smith said. “I treat my dogs like members of the family
and want to make sure they always get the best care,” she added. When her
search for a mild, all-natural shampoo with added benefits like bug repellant
turned fruitless, Smith decided to fill the void. In the end she, Cain and Able
would end up producing a product line that stood apart not only for its
dedication to high-quality, all-natural ingredients and benefits, but for its
creative and classy product packaging. Cain & Able’s products are as
pampering for dogs as they are practical. For example, the Soap-on-a-Rope
contains oatmeal, aloe vera, shea butter and vitamin E oil – the perfect
combination for dogs coping with sensitive skin, allergies or hot spots.
Smith’s recipe for concocting new spa products reflects her
commitment to quality. “I get the idea for a product and research the best
ingredients to use,” she said. “Just as importantly, I research chemicals that
I want to make sure to avoid. From there I start formulating until I am
satisfied.” Once Smith has arrived at a product, it circulates through her test
market for input. “I have a test market consisting of neighbors, friends and
family that give me feedback on the products before they go to market,” Smith
said. “I test all the products on myself first before they are tested on Cain
or Able.”
One glance at the Cain & Able Collection web site and it
is clear that both Cain and Able are more than willing collaborators. Through
playfully whimsical photography that reflects the tone of their product line,
it is easy to gain a real sense of Smith’s product – and the four-legged ones
that inspired it. “They are like my children,” Smith said of Cain and Able.
“They are extremely intelligent and truly love unconditionally.” One secret to
the great photos displayed on her site – both Cain & Able are posing for
hot dogs! “In all the photos you see on our web site, Cain and Able pose for a
hot dog. So when it looks like they are looking into a beautiful bathtub, they
are actually drooling to get a treat,” Smith explained.
Smith is inseparable from her business partners – walking,
hiking and biking with them every day at home in Austin, Texas. Like the
Biblical brothers of similar name, Cain and Able have their differences. Their web
site makes no bones about each pooch’s personality and edge in the business.
Cain, the “tall, bark and handsome” brother, is best known for his sensible,
straightforward, serious approach. Able, in typical Lab fashion, is more
focused on goofing off and having fun. The creative force and motivator, Able
is affectionately described as “Love comin’ at ya.” “Labs are gentle and
loving,” Smith said. “Able is like my shadow – he never leaves my side and
loves to cuddle.”
While the product line is still young, Smith’s ingenuity,
business savvy and commitment to quality certainly aren’t green. Already the
Cain & Able Collection has garnered awards such as the Spring 2005 Best Pet
Product by Orca Communications and Austin’s Rookie of the Year, awarded to a
new business that has demonstrated excellent management in its first year. And
with plans ever in the works for expanding product lines, it is assured there
will be no shortage of sudsy success for the future of the Cain & Able
Collection.
See how well your Lab could clean up – the all-natural way –
with the help of Cain and Able. Visit www.CainAndAbleCollection.com.
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