Meet Our Founders: The Story Behind Fresh Patch

Fresh Patch is now widely recognized for its natural grass potty solutions and indoor pet care products, but the company began with a simple, personal challenge at home.

On this Fresh Patch Podcast, we are joined by our founders Andrew and Karina to share how Fresh Patch started, what it took to grow a new category in pet care, and the lessons learned along the way. Their story blends necessity, timing, persistence, and a lot of hands-on work, long before Fresh Patch became a nationally known pet brand.

Where the Idea for Fresh Patch Began

Fresh Patch started in 2010 after Andrew and Karina moved from a house with a yard into a Miami condo with their dog, Chloe. The change made everyday potty routines more complicated, especially without easy outdoor access. At the same time, they were preparing to welcome a baby, and Andrew was between jobs, creating both pressure and opportunity.

Instead of settling for temporary fixes, Andrew focused on a more natural solution: bringing real grass indoors in a clean, contained format so dogs could use a familiar surface. That concept became Fresh Patch, a delivered grass potty pad designed for indoor use. Within days, the early groundwork began, including brand naming, trademarks, and a simple website. What started as a household solution quickly showed potential for apartment dog owners, busy pet parents, and anyone needing a reliable indoor potty option. Early customers responded immediately, and Andrew personally handled deliveries and customer calls, hearing firsthand how the product improved daily routines.

Turning a Simple Idea Into a Real Business

The early phase of Fresh Patch was small, manual, and uncertain. The founders packed orders themselves, answered support requests, and managed logistics directly. Growth was steady but not instant, and like most startups, the business faced packaging issues, supply challenges, and operational learning curves.

At first, the goal wasn’t massive scale, it was sustainability. Reaching even a modest subscriber base would have made the business viable. But consistent customer feedback kept reinforcing the same message: this product solved a real problem for pet parents. Fresh Patch became especially popular for puppy potty training, apartment living, balcony potty setups, and bad weather backup solutions. That repeat use case helped establish long-term subscription demand.

The Shark Tank Experience

One of the biggest inflection points for Fresh Patch was appearing on Shark Tank. Andrew auditioned multiple times before finally getting the chance to pitch. Preparation was intense and highly structured, with mock interviews and rapid-fire question practice. Just before filming, Andrew broke his foot, but chose to move forward anyway. He taped it up, kept it quiet, and delivered the pitch without viewers ever knowing.

The episode created a major awareness surge. After airing, Fresh Patch saw a sharp increase in orders and brand recognition. Years later, customers still say they first discovered Fresh Patch through Shark Tank, making it one of the company’s most lasting visibility milestones.

Growing the Brand Beyond the Product

As Fresh Patch expanded, the focus extended beyond just grass itself. The founders prioritized customer experience, team culture, and rescue partnerships alongside product development. Fresh Patch regularly supports shelters and rescue organizations by providing grass that helps dogs train on natural surfaces before adoption. Because potty training challenges are a common reason for pet returns, giving rescue dogs access to grass-based training tools can improve placement success.

The company is also continuing to expand into broader indoor pet solutions, including products for cats and small animals, as more pet parents look for natural, low-mess options that fit indoor lifestyles.

Lessons From the Fresh Patch Journey

Looking back, Andrew and Karina emphasize that persistence and adaptability mattered more than perfect early execution. Not every decision worked, and not every growth phase was smooth. But staying close to customer feedback and solving real pet care problems kept the company moving forward.

They also highlight the importance of partnership, both in business and at home. Building Fresh Patch required shared commitment, honest communication, and willingness to take calculated risks during uncertain moments. 

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