A Sit-Down with Start-up Queen Carla Newman
Discussing Her Latest Project and Creation of Her First App.
In this day and age, apps are everything and there’s an app for pretty much anything you can think of. There are food delivery apps, yoga and meditation apps, meal prep apps, sleep tracker apps, dating apps, and the list goes on and on. In the US, the average number of apps people use on a daily basis is about 9 and monthly people use about 30. With an abundance of apps to choose from, apps that are geared towards dogs aren’t as available to app users as expected. That’s where Grumble Dog comes in. Grumble Dog is a new up and coming all things dog app that is in high demand for the dog lover community. The woman behind this epic app is Carla Newman, a management consultant and the founder of ThreeThought LLC, a company which specializes in advising and coaching executives and start-up/early stage companies towards success. She is the mastermind behind the creation of Grumble Dog, the A-Z app for dogs. I sat down with her and discussed her app and all the exciting details involving it!
First of all, I want to thank you for taking the time to let me interview you about your latest project Grumble Dog. I’m excited to get to know more about you and how it all started. Could you please tell me a little bit about yourself and your professional background?
Carla Newman: Thank you for having me! Sure, well I’ve been involved in startups for over 20 years now, focusing primarily on the finance and operations side of things. Back in 2014, I founded ThreeThought LLC, with the main purpose of advising start-up/early stage companies to grow, expand, and to take them to the next level. I also have a strong background and experience in the tech industry, which goes hand in hand with creating apps!
What lead you to create Grumble Dog?
Carla Newman: It all started when I sold several of my startups in the past and I found myself wanting a change from what I was used to. I wanted to be involved in something new and different. I was ready to explore and get creative. That’s why I started the app. I was looking for a niche with a strong connected community. I’m a dog lover myself and the dog community is an extremely dedicated group. I knew if I could provide them with a high-quality offering that was helpful and useful that we could establish a long-term relationship.
It’s so interesting to know that this is your first time creating an app! How exciting! In detail, what is grumble dog about and why did you come up with this application?
Carla Newman: Grumble Dog is an app for the dog loving community, who are looking for experts, like minded people, and good references within the community for excellent dog services. Likewise, it provides a platform for any business that services dogs to reach out and connect more closely with the community. Anything that has to do with dogs’ services/lifestyle like: groomers, pet sitters; veterinarians; dog walking parks; dog stores; dog events; etc., is what we want to provide easy access to for our users.
What was your inspiration in creating Grumble Dog?
Carla Newman: We love and are very passionate about dogs, they are part of our family. Surprisingly there isn’t an all-encompassing app that serves as a “go to” resource for the dog community and I felt I could fill that void. Since the dog lover community is such a tight knit one, we want to help update the community about the latest and greatest dog services; activities; and valuable information to support the community in every local neighborhood. After all, a dog is man’s best friend, so we built Grumble Dog…the all dog app!
Nice! So, what’s the meaning behind the app name Grumble Dog, and how did you come up with it?
Carla Newman: Honestly, I think it’s cute. I stumbled upon it one day and thought it was perfect. There’s no deep meaning behind the name, but when I hear Grumble Dog I envision a group of dogs hanging out on a street corner with each other keeping the neighborhood safe. It’s a little rough around the edges and I thought it was a great fit since we are a tough dog group, haha. Once we found the name, I fell in love with its edginess. Every time I say the name I smile and laugh. If the name of an app can make you smile, it’s got to be a good name!
How is Grumble Dog different from any other dog related applications?
Carla Newman: First of all, it’s specifically focused on the dog community, it’s not a pet app. It’s a user-friendly app that explores all aspects of the local dog community. The apps primary purpose is to support both dog owners and their dogs and businesses that cater to them. It’s strictly concerned with everything dogs need, want and do. Grumble Dog is a platform that allows individuals to assist and inform others in the neighborhood with trusted opinions and experiences regarding dog services in their area. There’s no app out there exclusively focused on only dogs. Dogs are the number one pet in this country and Grumble Dog is here to support the very dedicated dog community!
Why did you choose to focus only on dogs?
Carla Newman: As I stated earlier, dogs are the most popular pet. As of 2017, it was estimated that a total of about 89.7 million dogs live in US households, which is more than any other pet in the country. It’s not only in the US where dogs are popular additions to many families, dogs are also favored internationally. I chose to focus on dogs not only because they are the most popular pet, but because dog owners are an extremely devoted group who are committed to providing all the best things for their dogs!
Since you mentioned dogs are also popular internationally, are you interested in expanding to the global market with Grumble Dog?
Carla Newman: Yes, we definitely want to expand globally. Apps are international so we want to be a “go to” resource for any dog community worldwide! I think many people would be surprised at how large some dog communities are in Brazil, China, Japan, and throughout Europe. If Grumble dog can expand internationally, that would truly be amazing! Every dog and pet owner, whether locally or globally, matters to me and to Grumble Dog itself!
What do you want application users to get from using this app?
Carla Newman: I want app users to be able to go to the app for anything they want or need pertaining to their dogs. I want them to turn to Grumble Dog and feel completely connected and comfortable. Our purpose is to provide app users with the most accurate and updated information involving the best quality dog services, events, parks, lost and found notifications etc. At the same time, we want to help out dog related businesses like veterinarians; pet stores; groomers; dog walkers; kennels; and trainers, gain exposure and clientele because of their expertise, utmost care, and high-quality services. The app is most successful when both sides are using it by working together to provide both dogs and dog owners with everything they truly need.
When will Grumble Dog be available in the App Store?
Carla Newman: It will be available in early spring and I can’t wait!
Looking forward to it!
Now, what’s your ultimate goal with Grumble Dog?
Carla Newman: I want it to be the “go to” app for the dog community! I know Grumble Dog will be a success if I provide a user-friendly app that provides great value to the entire dog loving community. My goal is to have everyone download the app and become a committed Grumble Dog groupie! Dog Lovers are a passionate group and I am excited to support that group!
Now that you’ve created your first app, what do you think of it and the whole process?
Carla Newman: I think it’s great! I’ve really enjoyed creating Grumble Dog. Building the app is step one and now building the community is step two, so there is more work to do but I’m having a lot of fun. The process isn’t easy but it’s completely worth it! I find myself wanting to create more apps in the future!
That sounds great!
If you don’t mind me asking, what’s next for you? What are some of your future projects for 2018?
Carla Newman: Right now, Grumble Dog is my main focus and getting it launched for early spring. As for future projects for 2018, you’ll have to just wait and see! I might be creating more apps to look out for!
Perfect! I’ll be patiently waiting for Grumble Dog’s launch and any other future apps of yours! Thank you so much for your time. Wishing you nothing but success with Grumble Dog and all your future endeavors. Good luck with everything!
Carla Newman: I appreciate that, likewise! Thank you!
