Today we’d like to introduce you to Krista Massi.
Hi Krista, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My path to owning Rebel Hound wasn’t exactly a straight line. I spent most of my career working in retail and leadership, including 14 years with Starbucks, followed by roles with companies like Chewy and Giant Eagle. I learned a lot during those years about running a business, taking care of customers, building teams, and creating spaces where people genuinely enjoy spending time. But for a long time, I never really imagined I would take all of that experience and use it to build something of my own.
Rebel Hound actually started much smaller. I love a hobby and I began making custom deep engraved pet ID tags and selling pet products online, and over time I realized there was an opportunity to create something bigger. I wanted to build the kind of pet store I personally wanted to shop at, somewhere that felt welcoming and thoughtfully curated, where you could find high-quality products without being overwhelmed by endless aisles of the same things.
That eventually became Rebel Hound, a pet boutique in Downtown Pittsburgh. We carry a curated selection of food, treats, chews, accessories and wellness products, along with custom ID tags that we make in-house. I’ve tried to be very intentional about what we carry and to focus on products and brands that I actually feel good recommending to someone for their pet.
One of the things I’m most proud of, though, is that Rebel Hound has grown into more than just a retail store. In the back of the shop, I created The Green Room, an indoor dog-friendly lounge where people can bring their dogs, relax, work, read, watch TV, meet other dog owners or attend community events. I wanted it to feel like the café your dog always wanted, a comfortable community space built around the relationship people have with their pets.
Opening a brick-and-mortar business has definitely been one of the biggest challenges I’ve ever taken on. I’m still learning as I go, and there are plenty of days when I’m figuring things out in real time. But seeing people walk through the door, meeting their dogs, watching customers discover a new favorite product, or seeing people actually enjoying a space that was once just an idea in my head makes all of the difficult parts worth it.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. I think one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that having a great idea and actually having the resources to execute that idea are two very different things.
The biggest challenge right now is simply money. Opening a brick-and-mortar business takes an incredible amount of capital, and I’ve reached a point where there isn’t an endless reserve to pull from. That forces me to be really intentional about every decision I make. There are things I would love to add, improve or market more aggressively, but sometimes I have to be patient and accept that a good idea may need to wait.
Another major challenge has been getting the word out. You can create a beautiful store, carry great products and build something completely different, but none of that matters if people don’t know you’re there. Being a newer independent business in Downtown Pittsburgh means I’m constantly trying to figure out how to reach new people and give them a reason to come through the door.
Probably the hardest part, though, is that I’m doing almost all of this myself. On any given day I can be the owner, buyer, salesperson, marketer, social media manager, website designer, event planner, engraver, cleaner and accountant. I have more ideas than I have hours in the day to execute them, and learning to prioritize has been a challenge in itself.
There have definitely been moments where I’ve questioned whether I can keep doing it, but I’ve also learned how resourceful I can be when I don’t have unlimited money, time or people. I’ve learned to teach myself things I never expected to know, change direction when something isn’t working, and keep moving forward even when I don’t have everything figured out.
I’m still very much in the building stage, so I don’t think I can tell the story as if all of those challenges are behind me. They aren’t. But I think that’s also an important part of the story of a small business. Sometimes success isn’t a huge milestone, it’s figuring out how to solve the next problem and being willing to show up again tomorrow.
We’ve been impressed with Rebel Hound, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Rebel Hound is an independent pet boutique and dog-friendly community space located in Downtown Pittsburgh. At its core, Rebel Hound’s intention is to be the opposite of an overwhelming big-box pet store. We don’t try to carry everything. Instead, I focus on a thoughtfully curated selection of products that I feel good about putting on our shelves and recommending to someone for their pet.
We carry premium and natural foods, treats and chews, supplements and wellness products, collars, leashes and other quality accessories. We also create custom engraved pet ID tags in-house, which was actually one of the earliest pieces of what eventually became Rebel Hound. I’m constantly researching products, talking with customers and learning about new brands. I especially love finding smaller or independent companies that customers may not discover at a traditional pet store.
What I think really sets Rebel Hound apart, though, is The Green Room dog friendly lounge in the back of the retail store. I describe it as “the café your dog always wanted.” People can bring their dogs, grab a seat, work on their laptop, read, watch TV, meet other dog owners or just hang out somewhere their dog is genuinely welcome. We also use the space for events and gatherings that bring Pittsburgh’s dog community together.
One thing I’m particularly proud of is that Rebel Hound doesn’t have to fit neatly into one category. It’s part pet store, part creative studio and part community space. Someone might come in because they need dog food, end up having a custom ID tag made, discover a new treat their dog loves and then spend an hour relaxing with their dog in The Green Room.
I also want people to know that there is a real person behind the business. When someone asks me about a product, I’m not just trying to sell them whatever happens to be on the shelf. If I don’t know the answer, I’ll research it. If I don’t think something is right for their dog, I’ll tell them. And if customers keep asking me for something we don’t carry, there’s a good chance I’ll start looking into it.
There are plenty of places where you can buy pet supplies. What I’m trying to build with Rebel Hound is a place that people and their dogs actually look forward to visiting.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Community matters most to me. I obviously care deeply about the quality of the products I carry, but at the end of the day, products can be purchased almost anywhere. What I want Rebel Hound to provide is something that’s harder to find, a place where people feel welcome, connected and comfortable being themselves with their dogs.
Dogs have an incredible way of bringing people together who otherwise may never have crossed paths. You can walk into a room knowing absolutely no one, but if there are dogs there, suddenly everyone has something to talk about. I think there’s something really special about that.
That idea has influenced so much of what Rebel Hound has become, especially The Green Room. I wanted to create a space where there wasn’t necessarily an expectation to buy something or rush out the door. You can come in, sit down, bring your dog, meet someone new or just enjoy having somewhere to go together.
It also matters to me that Rebel Hound supports the community around us. Whenever possible, I want to collaborate with local organizations, rescues, small businesses and other people doing interesting things in Pittsburgh. I don’t believe small businesses have to compete with one another for every customer. We can support each other and be stronger because of it.
Of course, quality still matters tremendously to me. If someone trusts me enough to ask what they should feed their dog or what product I would recommend, I take that seriously. But ultimately, I hope people remember Rebel Hound for how they felt when they were here just as much as they remember what they bought.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rebel-houd.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_rebelhound/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580041956689
