Starting a business is impressive at any age, but six-year-old Hendrix DeMarchii is taking entrepreneurship to a whole new level. As the founder of Hendrix Pet Co., published author, musician, and clothing designer, Hendrix proves that age is just a number when you have curiosity, action, and a simple strategy.
In this episode, we talk with Hendrix about how a stroll in a dog park sparked a pet treat business, how he manages his daily balance between playtime and business, and why he recently won Startup of the Year 2026 out of 15,000 international applicants.
How a Dog Park Idea Turned Into an Empire
Most six-year-olds are just playing at the park, but Hendrix saw a business opportunity while out walking dogs with his mom.
- Start Local and Face-to-Face: Hendrix started by selling dog treats in person directly at the local dog park. This allowed him to meet dog owners, learn about new breeds, and build genuine relationships.
- Listen and Iterate Fast: When Hendrix realised some customers couldn't read the text labels clearly, he and his mom updated the packaging from generic cat designs to actual photos of dogs to make it clearer.
- Scooter Deliveries: Hendrix built exclusive product offerings by riding around his neighbourhood on a scooter to sell directly to pet owners face-to-face.
Don't Put All Your Eggs in One Basket
Hendrix believes every entrepreneur should have "five backdrops" in business, meaning multiple streams of income so you always have something to rely on.
- Hendrix Pet Co.: Natural dog treats, expanding soon into meal toppers, horse treats, and guinea pig treats.
- HDM Apparel: His own custom clothing line.
- Music Career: Writing and releasing his own original music, including his track Take Me There on Spotify.
- Author: Writing and publishing his book, Think Like a Six-Year-Old, in just two weeks.
- Dog Walking Services: Offering hands-on pet care services in his local community.
Balancing "Playtime and Business"
Balancing primary school with managing a fast-growing brand isn't always easy (Hendrix jokingly calls school "prison" because you can't leave whenever you want). However, maintaining balance comes down to keeping things fun.
- Dedicated Playtime: Hendrix sets clear boundaries between work and play, whether that's attending weekend festivals or playing Roblox in the car.
- Focusing on the Fun: For Hendrix, the best part of running a business isn't just making money; it's getting out into the world, making human friends, and meeting fluffy dogs like German Shepherds and Labradors.
- Vision for the Future: Hendrix is already planning global expansion, setting goals to open his own factory, get into local pet stores, and export his products to New Zealand.
My Challenge to You
Take a page out of Hendrix's book and keep it simple. If you've been sitting on a business idea or overcomplicating your strategy, step out into your community, talk to real people, and test your product face-to-face.
Connect with Hendrix DeMarchii
- Website: hendrixdemarchii.com
- Pet Business: hendrixpetco.com.au
Enjoyed this episode? If this episode helped you rethink how you view business and work-life balance, share it with another young entrepreneur who’s ready to build trust and work smarter, not harder.
Highlights
- 00:37 How the Treats Started
- 01:13 Selling at the Dog Park
- 01:56 New Ideas and Better Labels
- 02:33 Book Lessons and Motivation
- 02:56 Balancing Business and School
- 03:44 Big Goals and Expansion Plans
- 04:54 Awards and Scooter Marketing
- 06:01 Music Release on Spotify
- 06:51 Clothing Line and Multiple Hustles
- 07:36 Book Details and Favourite Part
- 08:38 Dog Breeds and Favourite Picks
- 09:28 Upcoming New Products
