Bark with Buster Named Finalist in the 2026 Australian Women's Small Business Champion Awards

There is something quite special about looking back at moments that seemed ordinary at the time, only to realise later just how much they represented.

The photograph accompanying this story was taken when our newly rebranded Bark with Buster packaging arrived.

I remember being surrounded by boxes, looking at those colourful bags and thinking about how far this little Australian business had already come.

Today, that photograph means even more.

We are incredibly proud to share that Bark with Buster has been named a Finalist in the Online Business category of the 2026 Australian Women's Small Business Champion Awards, recognising our co-founder, Jeannene Anchen.

For a small Australian business built with a lot of heart, persistence and more than a few late nights, this recognition is something we are very grateful for.

More Than Just Selling Dog Treats

Bark with Buster has never been about simply putting another bag of dog treats on a shelf.

From the beginning, we wanted to build something with purpose.

We wanted to offer Australian dog owners natural treats made from real Australian proteins, with simple ingredients and without the unnecessary fillers, artificial colours and preservatives found in many heavily processed treats.

Our philosophy was shaped through more than a decade of hands-on experience caring for dogs through Pet Stays Melbourne.

Different breeds. Different ages. Fussy dogs. Rescue dogs. Puppies. Seniors. Dogs with sensitive stomachs. Dogs who would do almost anything for the right reward.

That experience helped shape the products we choose and the standards we expect from Bark with Buster.

Today our range includes natural rewards for training, everyday treating, enrichment and chewing, with products such as Beef Liver, Chicken Jerky, Kangaroo Cubes and Fish Jerky becoming firm favourites with Australian dog owners.

But the bigger goal has remained the same.

Make better choices for dogs while building a better kind of Australian business.

The Woman Behind Bark with Buster

For Jeannene, being recognised through the Australian Women's Small Business Champion Awards feels particularly meaningful.

Small business is rarely as polished behind the scenes as it looks from the outside.

There are orders to pack.

Customers to help.

Products to evaluate.

Packaging decisions.

Markets.

Website changes.

Stock arriving.

Ideas that work beautifully.

And ideas that absolutely do not. 😂

There are also those moments when you wonder whether you are making enough progress, followed by another moment when a customer sends you a photo of their dog going crazy for their Bark with Buster treats and suddenly it all feels worthwhile again.

Jeannene has been hands-on throughout that journey.

From working with products and packaging to customers, markets, community relationships and the countless little decisions involved in growing an Australian online business, Bark with Buster has been built rather than simply launched.

"When those newly branded bags arrived, I remember looking at all the boxes around me and thinking how far we had already come. To look back at that photograph now, after being named a finalist, makes that moment incredibly special."

— Jeannene Anchen, Co-Founder, Bark with Buster

Australian Made Still Matters to Us

Growth has never changed one of our most important commitments.

We believe in supporting Australian production, Australian suppliers and Australian jobs wherever we can.

Our dog treats are produced in Australia using Australian proteins and air dehydration, with our approach centred around straightforward ingredients and responsible sourcing.

Even our branded packaging is sourced locally in Melbourne rather than automatically looking overseas for the lowest possible price.

Those choices may not always be the cheapest way to build a business.

But they are part of the kind of business we want Bark with Buster to become.

Meet Some of the Treats Behind the Brand

Some of the treats our customers and their dogs keep coming back for.

Growing a Business That Can Give Something Back

One of the parts of Bark with Buster that means the most to us is seeing the business become capable of helping other organisations.

Through our fundraising initiatives, we are working with animal rescues, welfare organisations, community groups and sporting clubs to help turn something people already purchase — their dog treats — into ongoing fundraising opportunities.

Instead of asking supporters for another standalone donation, participating organisations can share their Bark with Buster fundraising link and generate funds from qualifying purchases made by their community.

For us, that is what business growth should eventually allow you to do.

Not simply sell more.

Do more.

Thank You to the Australian Women's Small Business Champion Awards

Recognition like this does not happen without the people who create platforms for Australian small businesses to be seen.

We would like to sincerely thank Steve Loe and the team at Precedent Productions for creating and continuing the Australian Women's Small Business Champion Awards and for recognising the contribution women make to small business across Australia.

The broader Australian Small Business Champion Awards program dates back to 1999, while the dedicated Australian Women's Small Business Champion Awards launched in 2022 to provide national recognition for women leading and influencing Australian businesses.

We would also like to acknowledge the organisations supporting the awards program. The current award partners include organisations such as Westpac, Castaway Forecasting, Big Clean, VJB Group and MyHR, whose involvement helps make this national recognition of Australian small business possible.

And congratulations to every other 2026 finalist.

Behind every name on that finalist list will be a story involving risk, persistence, difficult days, small victories and somebody who decided to keep going.

We are genuinely proud to be standing amongst them.

Sydney, Here We Come

The 2026 Australian Women's Small Business Champion Awards presentation evening will take place at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney on Saturday 26 September 2026.

Of course we would love to bring the trophy home.

But whatever happens on the evening, being selected as a finalist already gives us something worth celebrating.

It gives us a reason to look back at that photograph of Jeannene surrounded by newly arrived packaging and appreciate that progress does not always happen in one enormous moment.

Sometimes it arrives one box at a time.

One customer at a time.

One returning dog at a time.

One order at a time.

And one person telling another:

"You should try Bark with Buster."

To every person who has done exactly that, thank you.

You helped get us here. 💛🐾

Frequently Asked Questions

What award has Bark with Buster been named a finalist in?

Bark with Buster has been named a Finalist in the Online Business category of the 2026 Australian Women's Small Business Champion Awards, recognising co-founder Jeannene Anchen and the growth of the Australian dog treat brand.

Who is Jeannene Anchen?

Jeannene Anchen is a co-founder of Bark with Buster and Pet Stays Melbourne. With more than 10 years of hands-on experience caring for dogs of different breeds, ages and temperaments, she has helped build Bark with Buster around natural Australian dog treats, practical dog experience, Australian suppliers and community-focused growth.

What experience does Bark with Buster have with dogs?

Bark with Buster is backed by more than a decade of hands-on dog care experience through Pet Stays Melbourne. This has included caring for puppies, senior dogs, rescue dogs, anxious dogs and dogs with different dietary and behavioural needs, giving the founders practical insight into what dogs enjoy and what owners look for in a trusted treat brand.

Are Bark with Buster dog treats Australian made?

Yes. Bark with Buster focuses on Australian made natural dog treats using Australian proteins, with simple ingredients and no unnecessary fillers or preservatives.

Where can I buy Bark with Buster dog treats?

Bark with Buster natural dog treats are available online Australia wide through the Bark with Buster website, with treats for training, everyday rewarding, chewing and dogs with different dietary needs.

Continue Reading

• Why Our Dog Treats Are Made Naturally — Discover why we choose simple ingredients, Australian proteins and natural air dehydration.
• Complete Guide to Healthy Dog Treats Australia — Learn what to look for when choosing natural, healthy treats for your dog.
• Bark with Buster Named Best Premium Dog Treat Brand 2026 Australia — Read about another very special 2026 recognition for Bark with Buster.