Nettie Platt, Founder, Nurturing by Nature (centre), with family and staff including MD and son-in-law Adam Morris (left) and daughter and fellow director Emma Platt (right). Picture: Dorset Biz News.
Published: December 10, 2021 | Updated: 10th December 2021
Her vision and hard work led to a raw feeding ‘revolution’ as well as the creation of a business with annual sales of £2m+ and employing more than 30 people.
So, when it came to choosing a VIP to stage the grand re-opening of its original store in West Moors after a facelift, there was only one name in the frame.
Nettie Platt, Founder of Nurturing by Nature, the fast-growing supplier of raw pet food.
Describing the company’s development to date as “amazing” the 67-year-old cut a ribbon at the Pinehurst Road store and declared herself “very, very proud” of the business and the team behind it.
She added: “There are so many people, not least our amazing customers, who’ve got us to where we are today and I’m just very thankful to them all.”
Nurturing by Nature began life in Nettie’s kitchen in 2004.
It was founded after her red boxer, Fred, developed cancer.
The answer was a raw food diet with Fred’s quality of life showing a visible improvement.
The business moved from Nettie’s kitchen to a conservatory and then garage before the opening of the West Moors store, pictured right, in 2006.
It was the country’s first dedicated raw pet food shop.
Nurturing by Nature now has another retail shop in Upton, two factory units in Upton and a nationwide, next day delivery service as well as a thriving online business.
Last year it opened a 38,000 kg capacity meat freezer, increasing the capacity of the business by up to 50 per cent.
Nurturing by Nature aims to give domestic pets – both cats and dogs – a diet which is more akin to what they would eat if they were fending for themselves in the wild.
It works with farmers and suppliers to ensure meat products are the best quality, using human-grade ingredients, sourced from trusted farms in the UK.
The range of meats available to Nurturing by Nature’s raw feeding community evolves naturally with the seasons, as it would in the wild.
The West Moors store had takings of £360 in its first week 15 years ago.
This year it’s served 20,500 customers and sold 180 tonnes of raw pet food as well as enough natural treats to fill 45 wheelbarrows.
Marking the shop’s 15th anniversary, and revamp, Nettie was presented with a glass lamp in her favourite purple which was specially commissioned from Stuart Wiltshire Glass in Weymouth.
Adam Morris, Managing Director, said: “There is a very strong argument that if it wasn’t for Nettie, the raw feeding revolution within the local area wouldn’t be what it is today.
“In the process of thinking of who should open our store it seemed only right that the most important person in the raw feeding world locally should re-open the revamped shop.
“The shop, and Nettie, has become a community hub, a knowledge support hub and more.”
Nettie, who lives in Verwood, still works in the store.
She’s pictured with current members of staff and one previous team member.
Adam, who is married to Nettie’s daughter, Emma, a fellow Director, said the hallmarks of Nurturing by Nature’s business were heritage, ethics, attentiveness, unity and integrity.
“We are a family run business who guarantee an exceptional service and nothing less,” he added.
Among the customers popping in on the shop’s 15th anniversary celebration was Steve Loe, owner of Hodor, a Caucasian Shepherd dog.
He said: “I’ve been coming here for about 12 years.
“I love it.
“The food is really fresh and the staff are excellent.
“I wish them every success for the future.”
