Brandy Mikus Pear Tree Pups
What inspired you to launch your business?
What began as a simple search for a puppy turned into something much deeper — a calling to do things differently. When I first started looking for a dog, I realized how often the experience felt transactional. There were so many promises, yet so little transparency. Families searching for a companion were being met with confusion, uncertainty, and sometimes heartbreak, and it didn’t sit right with me. The gap between what families truly needed and what the breeding world often delivered became the spark that started Pear Tree Pups.
How does it make you feel when someone purchases from your business?
Every time someone chooses Pear Tree Pups, I feel this mix of pride and tenderness. It’s not just a sale — it’s a family being made. I think about that first night they take their puppy home, the new routines, the laughter, the quiet moments. That’s what fills me up. It reminds me that what I built actually means something — it connects people to joy.
Which Illinois Local business do you like to support?
AlignLife of Springfield, Happy Hour Pilates, Living Well Chiropractic, Bloom Hospitality & Catering, CLP Insurance, Olivia Heiple Photography, Peace Love & Sweat, Smart Owl Coffee, Teal Owl Boutique, Brinkerhoff Mansion, Lillian G Boutique, The Railyard on 66, True Colors, & West of Wise Winery. I’ve shopped at almost every Illinois Local member business. And those I haven’t, I look forward to.
What do you deem as success in business?
Success isn’t just healthy litters or full waitlists — it’s raising pups that bring the same peace, joy, and companionship to other families that mine bring to me. It’s knowing that each puppy goes home to people who see them as family, not a product. That’s the kind of success you can’t measure in numbers — it’s measured in wagging tails, lifelong bonds, and the updates I get months later from families who say, “We can’t imagine life without them.”
What is your number one piece of advice for business owners?
Don’t strive for perfection — be consistent. People don’t buy from the most polished brand; they buy from the one they trust. And trust comes from showing up even when things aren’t perfect. Talk about what you’re learning, not just what you’ve mastered. Let people in on the real journey. That’s what makes them root for you, not just buy from you.
How can your community continue to support your business?
The best way to support what I do isn’t just by buying a puppy — it’s by sharing our story. Tell friends about the care and heart that go into each litter. Engage with our posts, share photos of your pups growing up, and keep us updated. Every share, tag, or kind word helps future families feel the same trust you do.