Today we’d like to introduce you to Christen Petraitis Brittney Xu.
Hi Christen Petraitis, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
On a sunny afternoon in Miami, Christen Petraitis and Brittney Xu crossed paths on a neighborhood stroll with their Shih-tzus. What started out as small talk over tangled leashes quickly developed into something more lasting: a genuine friendship (both for them and their dogs) rooted in humor, hustle, and a mutual appreciation for the finer things in life for both humans and their pups.
It wasn’t long before their conversations turned into creative brainstorming. Brittney’s Shih-tzus suffer from allergies, and Christen’s dog is very picky, turning his nose up at every other treat. Their small dogs also can’t chew some of the bigger bones and hard biscuits on the market. Together, they wanted to make treats and supplements that their dogs can actually eat. Even picky dogs deserve indulgence too. And thus, Chompagne was born (for dogs with champagne taste!)
Inspired by their picky and allergic shih-tzus, Chompagne specializes in soft, chewy, and enticing treats and supplements that put the “fun” in functional. The treats are intentionally designed to appeal to discerning dogs, senior dogs, dogs with small jaws, or dogs with allergies (although the dogs may simply prefer the term “bougie”!)
What began as a passion project has quickly evolved into a growing success story. Through long nights and an unwavering commitment to quality, they are turning their vision into a brand that is gaining traction – selling products at local events and earning coveted shelf space in several pet boutiques and grooming salons in Florida, New Jersey and California.
Their journey is a testament to the power of friendship, determination and a shared belief that even the smallest ideas and dogs can jumpstart something worth celebrating.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Starting a dog treat and supplement company wasn’t exactly a natural extension of a lawyer or insurance broker’s day job – and that showed early on. While Brittney and Christen both brought strong business acumen to the table, they quickly found themselves navigating an entirely new world of food safety, manufacturing and production hurdles, and product formulation.
Translating their business mindsets into a creative, consumer-facing brand also proved challenging: packaging, branding and marketing required a different kind of thinking than contracts and policies. Not to mention that they didn’t have any contacts in the pet space to lean on.
Operational hurdles added another layer. Finding reliable, high-quality suppliers that met their standards took longer than expected, and small-batch production came with inconsistent costs and timelines. They also had to earn credibility in a saturated pet market where “all-natural” claims are everywhere, but trust is hard-won. Balancing full-time careers while building the business meant (and still means) late nights, weekend markets, and constant decision fatigue.
Still, their biggest challenge is learning to embrace the uncertainty. Accustomed to structured environments, they had to get comfortable making imperfect decisions, testing products in real time and adapting to customer feedback. It was, and still is, a steep learning curve, but one that ultimately sharpened both their resilience and brand.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
With over two decades in corporate America as an insurance broker, Christen has spent her career negotiating complex deals and building trusted partnerships. Working with Fortune 500 clients as well as insurance companies across the U.S. and internationally, she understands the value of service, integrity, and relationships that actually last.
Using those skills, Christen serves as Chief Partnership Officer at Chompagne, blending executive-level strategy with the warmth and authenticity the pet world demands. She leads strategic growth through partnerships, collaborations, and brand alliances across the pet industry, always with a focus on long-term relationships that expand reach, strengthen brand presence, and create real value for dog parents.
Brittney sits at the center of brand strategy, product development, pricing and margin modeling, retailer readiness, packaging compliance and go-to market execution. Her background in operations and law (as she is still a practicing attorney) shapes how Chompagne builds: thoughtfully, defensibly, and with an eye towards scale.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
For those completely new to the consumer products goods (CPG) space, Brittney and Christen suggest reading the blog https://www.cpg-guy.com, which provides excellent advice about how to market a brand, prepare products for market, and grow into the retail space.
Pricing:
- Our products start at $14.99.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.chompagne.co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chompagne.co
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Chompagne-Co/61581962640701/
