Anna Podolsky noticed that her dog Lyka had started being consistently itchy and shedding fur at about four years old. With the desire to help her seemingly unwell dog improve, Anna stumbled across what would turn into a story of a successful business. After some research into the food Lyka was eating and the production process, she realised the health issues could be from the fact that the food Lyka was eating wasn’t fresh. She went about cooking home made fresh food and Lyka stopped itching, was more energetic and looked much better. This gave her an idea, so Anna started her production in her father’s kitchen to sell to other dog owners to see if it would be a viable business. This is when Anna decided to start a business named after her dog.
Upon realising that others loved it, she turned to an hourly rented kitchen with casual workers helping. Eventually word must have gotten around about this fantastic product that people could buy for their much-loved dogs. Before she knew it the production then had to be expanded to a full-scale production facility in NSW. The success of her products continued, and this has seen her expand into Victoria – in Dandenong South.
The manufacturing site in Dandenong South will produce a range of fresh dog food, gently cooked and snap frozen, with the treat and supplement ranges to be transported from the NSW facility.
Lyka has recently employed 40 staff to start their operation, with plans to run the facility on a double shift operation and aims to expand its workforce to approximately 100 people by 2025.
Before opening the new facility in Dandenong South, the business engaged multiple consultants, construction teams and suppliers from Victoria. There have also been consultations with the Business Permit Support Service at Greater Dandenong City Council to ensure the set up was seamless. Everything is on track to be ready for Lyka’s grand opening in December 2023.
For more information visit the Lyka website.
