Black Paw Memorial Pin CEO Hilarie Viener was featured on a recent episode of the hit podcast Pets are Family, produced by Tricia Montgomery and Jessica Abernathy. You can hear the episode now at this link!
Read the episode description below.
On this episode, Tricia Montgomery and Jessica Abernathy warmly welcome Hilarie Viener, founder of Black Paw Memorial, to the show. Hilarie shares the emotional inspiration for her business: witnessing her mother’s grief after losing a beloved dog. The story unfolds with reflections on her career in advertising and branding, and how that shaped the creation and launch of Black Paw Memorial. Hilarie describes her aha moment—buying the domain and building the brand in honor of her mother’s journey—emphasizing the importance of celebration, love, and visibility for those grieving the loss of a pet.
The hosts delve into the mission and vision of Black Paw Memorial, highlighting its uplifting approach to memorializing pets through vibrant symbols and its commitment to keep production local for quality and reliability. Hilarie recounts the serendipitous elevator meeting with the American Humane Society that led to an impactful partnership, and the importance of collaboration in the pet care industry. The conversation covers how pets serve as a bridge between people, sparking connection and compassion even in a divided world.
Brand storytelling, consumer behavior, and industry insights emerge as key themes, with Hilarie sharing lessons from her branding career and the powerful emotional role pets play in family life. Looking ahead, she outlines her dreams for expansion, more partnerships, and supporting charity causes like animal rescue. The episode closes with heartfelt words about community, inclusion, and the joy of sharing the bonds that make pets family, along with information on how to connect with Black Paw Memorial online.