VAN, TX (KLTV) -
An East Texas business is doing their part to make
sure jobs stay in their community
Venison Joe's in Van is an all natural dog treat and
chew company that distributes nationwide, but their bigger mission is to
provide jobs to local citizens.
"It started as a company that wanted to provide
jobs and opportunities for people in the city of Van, rather then have them
leave the city of Van and that sort of thing," Owner Tom Reagan said.
The company began as a small internet company at Tom
Regan's kitchen table, in a time when the economy was tanking and no new
businesses were starting.
"When we started this company, everyone told me
I was crazy because that was about the time that things really started to go
south, but I had enough confidence in the business plan and in the alternative
protein chew we had started that I thought the company was going to
succeed," Reagan said.
Venison Joe's sells all natural dog chews and bones
of elk, bison and beef online and to distributors in 43 states and in Canada.
"It provided us the opportunity to stimulate
the economy, if we could in the United States, as well as provide people with
jobs and keep them busy right here in our own home town," Reagan said.
One of those people is Jamie Tunnell, Venison Joe's
office manager for the past year.
"I was searching Craig's List and I found a
posting about a dog treat company in Van. I thought there is no way,"
Tunnell said.
However, to Tunnell's surprise, there actually was a
new company in Van offering jobs. Now Tunnell has become an intercate part of
the company.
"I feel a part of ownership in it cause I've
seen everything from boxes being designed to venison snack bags being designed
to growing our distribution from 5 states to 43 states. It's almost an
adrenalin rush, like we did this, in like 11 months. How cool is this?"
Tunnell said.
As the company grows, it allows Reagan to hire more
people in the community.
"We're trying to grow our business, not because
our company is trying to take over the dog bone industry in the world, but
because were trying to put our people back to work. There are a lot of people in
the city of Van that could use an extra job or use the revenue. We try to
provide that for them and that's kind of the big idea of why were here,"
Reagan said.
Copyright 2012 KLTV. All rights reserved.
© (Source: Venison Joe's)
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 WorldNow and KLTV, a Raycom Media Station.
