When 6-year-old Jamie Popper was asked what her ideal pet would be, she responded with, “I want a dog that stays small.” Since declaring that initial childhood dream, Jamie has evolved into a “big dog” in the pet industry, establishing herself as a top expert in canine fitness, training, and product innovation.
Like many successful entrepreneurs, Popper took an unconventional path. While earning her degree in exceptional student education, she volunteered at a horse therapy farm and worked as a trainer at PetSmart. After a few years teaching K-5 students with disabilities, she transitioned to the corporate world at Blue-9 Pet Products. There, she developed and patented the Propel Air Platform, a specialized inflatable tool for canine fitness and rehabilitation.
A lifelong learner, Popper holds certifications as a professional dog trainer with a specific focus on canine fitness and trick training. “I’ve always enjoyed working with students, and these certificates allowed me to combine my teaching skills with my passion for dogs,” she says.
Her commitment to excellence extends to her own pets, as well. In 2011, she brought home Roo, an Australian Shepherd, and the two set to work right away on advancing their training. The duo eventually earned multiple perfect scores in obedience competitions and received an invitation to compete at the national level in 2022.
Popper left the corporate world to launch her own venture, named Popper Pets, in 2024, after over eight years in marketing and product development, and fresh off earning her MBA from the University of Iowa. Her flagship product, the Focus Treat Pouch, was born out of necessity for professional and competitive trainers. “I had tried dozens of pouches, and none contained all the features I needed, so I decided to just go ahead and design one myself,” Popper explains.
To scale her vision, Popper turned to Iowa’s robust entrepreneurial ecosystem. In the Fall of 2025, she enrolled in the University of Iowa’s Venture School, managed by the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (JPEC). The program helped her refine her business plan and identify product-market fit. Her hard work paid off when she placed second out of 14 participants in the final pitch competition.
Following that success, she joined the NewBoCo Startup Accelerator spring program to sharpen her branding and sales strategies. “Starting something on your own can be really scary and lonely,” Popper admits. “Being in connection with other entrepreneurs was motivating and rewarding.”
Alex Taylor, Director of Entrepreneurship for NewBoCo, noted Popper’s impact on the program, saying, “Jamie brought energy and drive that inspired the entire cohort. Her winning pitch in our spring competition confirms she’s well on her way to continued success.”
Today, Popper is an in-demand consultant to major brands, including the American Kennel Club and Woof. While she continues to collaborate alongside industry giants, her primary attention remains on Popper Pets’ evolution. She is currently exploring new products, including specialized leashes and harnesses, to complement her treat pouch offering.
From a first-grader dreaming of a small dog to call her own to a powerhouse entrepreneur helping to mold the national pet industry, Jamie Popper is proving that in Iowa, big ideas can lead to even bigger results.