Many people would not consider delivering dog food to be much of an occupation, but Richard Dayshar has taken a unique product and turned it into a very successful business.

“It started about twenty years ago in the South Island,” he explained to Rural Living.

“A couple down there, Christine and Colin Drummond found they could not keep their Mustering Dogs in condition during the season. Christine had a background in nutrition, so she set about finding the solution. The end result was they set up a factory in Blenheim and simply distributed by word of mouth. The same kind of distribution operated here in Northland until I took it over about five years ago.”

The end result of Christine Drummond’s nutritional studies was Mighty Mix. “All the products in the mix are fresh, and there are no preservatives. It is high in meat, protein and fat and dogs love it. There is none of that ‘bulking agent’ such as wheat, which means dogs have to eat so much more to get the same nutrition.”

Richard has had a variety of occupations in his life. “I dropped out of Uni’ and spent ten years travelling. NZ had moved on while I was away in skills and business, and I had little to offer except resourcefulness and making my own way!

“I’ve been in a number of professions since but when this came up I took a long look at it and realised it had a lot of potential. All the customers swore by it and it had a very good following. So I decided I could add value to it by putting in some effort, and without any advertising I have built up a clientele of over 600 customers.”

Perhaps the best part of Mighty Mix is that it comes to your door. Richard spends a week every month delivering all over Northland.

“I love the variety it gives me. I enjoy the country roads, and meeting the different people and having contact with them. People do comment and say what an extraordinary business. They also say I’ve got the best of both worlds! I’m inclined to agree.”