Brandon Forder | Harbour Hound Pet Supplies

Picture: Beautiful Joe Park | Source: Beautiful Joe Heritage Society

From Oakville to Meaford: How the Forder Family Turned Passion for Pets into a Rural E-Commerce Success Story

TL;DR

Brandon Forder, co-owner of Harbour Hound Pet Supplies (formerly Candian Pet Connection) a family-run pet business, joined the Rural Entrepreneur Podcast to discuss his family transformed their brand from a brick-and-mortar store in the GTA into a leading Canadian e-commerce presence rooted in Meaford, Ontario.

From launching the Meaford Pet Expo to spearheading community sustainability efforts, Brandon shares lessons on innovation, family business, and entrepreneurship.

Introduction

Host Chris Herbert sits down with Brandon Forder, co-owner of Harbour Hound Pet Supplies (formerly Candian Pet Connection), a family pet health business that has thrived for over 30 years.

Since relocating to Meaford in 2017, Brandon, his Dad Lorne and his wife Angela have built a nationally recognized e-commerce operation while staying deeply engaged in local community and municipal leadership.

Key Points and Insights

Topic	Insight
Relocation to Meaford	Brandon’s family moved from the GTA in 2017 to improve quality of life and focus on e-commerce. Meaford's pet-friendly culture made it a natural fit.
Meaford Pet Expo	Started in 2018 as a small shop-front event, the expo has grown to attract nearly 100 vendors and visitors from across Canada and the U.S.
Beautiful Joe Legacy	Meaford is home to Beautiful Joe Park, honoring the dog who inspired a major animal rights movement—enhancing its unique pet-friendly identity.
Founding Philosophy	Brandon’s father left finance to start a pet health food store in 1992, making the family early innovators in pet wellness retail.
E-Commerce Expansion	The business now ships 25,000+ pet products across Canada and receives over 1 million views annually on its product ranking pages.
Angela Forder’s Vision	Angela spearheaded SEO and evergreen content strategy, ranking the site in Canada’s top 3 search results for 2,000+ keywords.
Online Customer Experience	Personalized consultations and expert-led rankings help replicate the trust and service of in-store experiences online.
Family Business Dynamics	Brandon advises against pressuring family into roles; success depends on shared interest, work ethic, and mentorship—not obligation.
Community Leadership	Brandon serves as a Meaford councillor and leads committees on heritage and sustainability, advocating for local policies like a plastic ban.
Entrepreneurial Mindset	Brandon emphasizes the importance of passion, resilience, failure as learning, and building social capital to sustain success.

Listen to Our Interview with Brandon Forder

Timeline with Timestamps

Start Time	Topic
00:00	Introduction to Brandon Forder and the Meaford Pet Expo
00:01	Business history and relocation from the GTA to Meaford
00:03	Launch and early growth of the Meaford Pet Expo
00:04	Expansion to community center and national reach
00:06	Brandon's father's spontaneous decision to move to Meaford
00:09	Story of Beautiful Joe and Meaford's pet-friendly culture
00:12	Transition from finance to pet industry and family business origins
00:16	Brandon’s journey into animal nutrition and customer education
00:20	Challenges and innovations in e-commerce personalization
00:23	Pet product ranking lists and content strategy
00:25	Launch of online pet consultation services
00:27	Angela Forder’s role in SEO and business growth
00:32	Advice on involving family in a business the right way
00:36	Passion for the pet industry and why Brandon chose it over policing
00:37	The pet industry’s resilience during economic downturns
00:39	Brandon's unexpected path to municipal leadership
00:42	Community events and family involvement in civic life
00:45	Leading a local single-use plastic ban initiative
00:47	Final advice for aspiring entrepreneurs

Notable Quotes

“The pet industry is a relationship-based industry—because no one loves cars like they love their pets.”— Brandon Forder

“We didn’t build our website just for our customers—we built it for Google, too.”— Angela Forder, as shared by Brandon

“If you're not passionate, the lack of it will catch up to you—eventually.”— Brandon Forder

“You don’t need to be the smartest—but a strong work ethic can outperform almost anything.”— Brandon Forder

Conclusion

Brandon Forder’s story is a masterclass in blending purpose, innovation, and community. His approach to e-commerce personalization, SEO strategy, and civic engagement proves that rural entrepreneurs can not only compete—but lead—in today's digital and values-driven economy.

Call to Action

If you're a rural entrepreneur, pet industry professional, or community builder in Grey-Bruce or beyond:

• Explore Brandon and Angela’s pet business: While in Meaford pop in to their store, visit their website to access expert product rankings, book a personalized pet consultation, or browse their selection of 25,000+ pet wellness products.

• Get involved in the Meaford Pet Expo: Whether you're a vendor, pet owner, or just passionate about animals, this annual event is a major hub for the Canadian pet community. Look out for the 2026 event and apply to exhibit or volunteer.

• Connect with local leaders: Brandon’s work on Meaford Council shows how entrepreneurs can make real impact at the municipal level. Consider joining local advisory committees or chambers of commerce.

• Support rural innovation: Attend events like Georgian Bay FanCon, buy from local businesses instead of big box stores, and share the stories of rural changemakers doing meaningful work in their communities.