Koena Mitra set to open Happy Pets

Koena Mitra is all set to turn a businesswoman. The actress is in the process of opening a pet store in Mumbai which will stock with all kinds of pet food and accessories. She is in talks with three foreign pet accessories manufacturers to bring in their stuff for her store - and that includes organic edible colours.

She talks about her 'pet' project, "I tentatively plan to called my store Happy Pets. The idea of having an exclusive pet store came to my mind when I wanted to start a business. It is pointless to do something on food and fashion, as the market is already overcrowded. I wanted to start something new and exciting. And since I love pets and have eight different breeds of dogs as pets, I decided to do something related to pet care and needs. Also, whenever I travel abroad, I pick up stuff for my pets and I was often asked where to get the stuff, so I thought, 'why not make it all available here.'"

Luxury for pets
The actress wants to do more than take care of functional needs of the pets. She doesn't want to just concentrate on food and pet clothes. She wants to provide luxury items as well, "In Germany, they have edible colours and hairstrips which you can put on your pets and make them look beautiful. These are organic vegetable colours which won't make your pet fall ill, like harsh chemicals do during Holi. And dog ear-plugs for use during noisy Diwali days."

Also on the agenda, are pet accessories like belts with logos, doggy bone lockets, cartoon motifs on collars, hair bands, and mouth fresheners. "Almost all dogs and cats have bad breath. I intend to get different types of mint candies as mouth fresheners as well as digestive tablets, toothpastes and deodorants."

Koena is in talks with three foreign pet food and accessories manufacturers from different countries to provide the merchandise to her store, "I have no time to make things. When I travel I pick up stuff for my pets and I am often asked where to get the stuff, so I thought why not make it all available here." She also wants to launch a foreign herbal beauty centre which totally into natural products for pets."

She is all set to launch the store next month, "In April everything should be finalized and I will have a proper opening. I am also looking at tie-ups with some NGOs and doctors who will come home to sterilize the pets." Finally, she promises that her store will be, "colourful and beautiful."

Where will she have the store? "I have three options -- two in a couple of malls but then I would have to share it with another brand and one in Juhu, which is completely mine. But taking responsibility of security is a big issue and malls have that facility already so I will decide which works the best."