Case Study: The Barking Brew
Background
The Barking Brew was founded by Kourtney Spang, a passionate entrepreneur building a unique product in the pet and hospitality space. The company produces a dog-friendly beverage, mimicking the look of a beer, designed to enhance the experience of pet-friendly environments such as patios, restaurants, and hotels.
By the end of 2025, The Barking Brew had already achieved early traction, securing placement in over 100 locations across Canada and expanding into British Columbia, all within its first year of operation.
Despite this early momentum, the business was still in its infancy, navigating the complexities of scaling a physical product while operating as a solo founder.
Joining the Growth Program
The Barking Brew joined the Georgian Bay Business Accelerator (GBA) at a pivotal stage of growth. After achieving early traction and expanding into new markets within its first year, the business was entering a phase where stronger operational structure and strategic clarity were essential to continue scaling effectively.
While The Barking Brew operates in a category that may not fit the traditional image of an accelerator company, the GBA intentionally assembles selection committees with experience relevant to each business and market opportunity. This approach helps ensure companies are evaluated by individuals who understand both the challenges and potential within their industry.
For The Barking Brew, the selection committee included Brad Riddoch, a marketing guru with experience in the consumer beverage space, Dan Shaw, a GBA board member and startup operator with experience across three successful exits, and Shelley Potts, a former Nestlé Canada CEO. The committee recognized both the founder’s early traction and the innovative positioning of the business within the hospitality and pet industries, while also recognizing that the depth of expertise within the GBA’s mentor network made the program uniquely positioned to help support the company’s continued growth.
The founder, Kourtney, was looking to build a more complete financial picture of the business, strengthen operational efficiency, and gain the confidence needed to support larger growth opportunities.
Challenges
As the business continued to gain traction, there was an opportunity to build more structure around its financial and operational systems to support the next stage of growth. Strengthening visibility into the numbers, improving efficiency in production, and creating a clearer roadmap forward became key areas of focus.
Throughout the program, the Kourtney implemented several important changes to support scalability. This included evolving the company’s financial management approach to gain more consistent and reliable insights into performance, as well as building out a formal financial forecast to guide decision-making.
Operationally, adjustments were made to streamline production and logistics, resulting in a more efficient and cost-effective model. These improvements created a stronger foundation for growth while supporting healthier margins as the business scales.
The program also supported the Kourtney in refining how The Barking Brew is positioned within the market, particularly within hospitality. By simplifying the way the product is introduced and understood, the business has been able to more effectively engage restaurant partners and build momentum within this channel.
“What I did not expect was how much the program would change the way I think. The mentors pushed me to slow down, build properly, and approach growth with more intention.”
- Kourtney Spang
Results and Achievements:
The impact of the program was transformative, enabling The Barking Brew to move from early traction to a more structured and scalable business.
Since completing the program, the company has:
Expanded to 250+ locations across Canada
Produced 30,000+ cans in the past year, with a target of 140,000+ this year
Secured 40 confirmed restaurant orders by mid-April, with additional pipeline opportunities
Reduced COGS by nearly 50%
Secured a business loan in February 2026, enabling continued growth
Implemented sound financial controls and forecasting with the acquisition of a fractional controller
The company has also built a strong pipeline of potential partnerships, including discussions with major hospitality groups and national restaurant chains.
“If you are a founder who is moving fast and needs the right people in your corner to help you build a real foundation underneath it — this is the program for you.”
- Kourtney Spang
Conclusion:
The Barking Brew’s journey through the Georgian Bay Accelerator reflects the impact of building the right foundation at the right time. With early traction already in place, the program provided the structure, insight, and support needed to strengthen the business and prepare it for its next stage of growth.
Through a combination of financial clarity, operational improvements, and refined positioning, the company is now operating with greater confidence and direction. Looking ahead, the company is focused on continued growth within Ontario, expansion into pet-friendly hotels, and exploring broader market opportunities. With a clear path forward and a solid operational base, The Barking Brew is well-positioned to build on its early success.
This case study highlights how targeted mentorship and strategic support can help early-stage companies translate momentum into sustainable, long-term growth.
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