The Original Cat Backpack With Emily Miethner

Emily Miethner is Co-founder of Travel Cat, an omni-channel pet product company specializing in premium cat products. A serial entrepreneur with expertise in community building, social media, and digital marketing, she co-founded Travel Cat, formerly known as Your Cat Backpack, in 2018 with her husband. Now the world's leading cat travel brand, Travel Cat serves customers in over 100 countries and 1,200 retail locations. An award-winning keynote speaker and educator, Emily’s insights have appeared in Good Morning America, The New York Times, and Fast Company. She has also taught as an adjunct professor at the School of Visual Arts and the Fashion Institute of Technology.

In this episode…

Expanding a niche business in a competitive industry can be daunting, especially when traditional retail and consumer expectations favor more established markets. For entrepreneurs in the pet industry, breaking through misconceptions — such as the belief that cat owners don’t spend money on high-quality products — presents a significant challenge. How can you overcome these barriers, build a loyal customer base, and scale to a global brand?

Serial entrepreneur Emily Miethner tackled these challenges by recognizing a gap in the market: high-quality travel products built specifically for cats. With a focus on community building and innovation, Emily and her husband developed products like the "Fat Cat" backpack, designed to meet the unique needs of cat owners seeking more than the typical pet carrier. Emily emphasizes the value of understanding consumer behavior, using data to drive product development, and leveraging direct engagement with customers to create high-demand products. By hosting virtual events, building strong retail partnerships, and fostering an engaged community, she demonstrates how you can develop trust and long-term loyalty with your audience.

In this episode of Marketing Tails, Mark Bevington interviews Emily Miethner, Co-founder of Travel Cat, formerly known as Your Cat Backpack, to discuss scaling in a competitive market through community building. Emily shares the story behind her company’s growth, the impact of customer engagement on product development, and how niche brands can challenge industry norms. She also delves into international expansion, overcoming supply chain hurdles, and the role of influencer partnerships in driving brand awareness.