Meet Courtney Roche of Whisker & Fang

Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Roche

Hi Courtney, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always had a deep love for animals—dogs, lizards, you name it! I’m an artist at heart, with a passion for abstract painting, and I’ve spent my life balancing creativity with my role as a nurse. Helping people and connecting with them, whether through health care or art, is a big part of who I am.

But when I lost my dog Ruby, everything changed. That experience hit hard, and I wanted a way to honor her in a way that was as unique as she was. That’s when Whisker & Fang was born. I wanted to create something beautiful and lasting that other pet parents could use to remember their own furry friends. It started with designing the Halo Frame & Collar display, and it’s grown from there. It’s been such an amazing journey, blending my love of animals, art, and helping others find comfort after loss.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Oh, it’s been anything but smooth! I think when you start a small business, especially one with such an emotional focus, you really have to be ready for some curveballs. For me, there’s been a learning curve, and not just in the technical or business sense, but emotionally too.

On a more personal level, balancing Whisker & Fang with everything else in my life has definitely been a challenge! I’m not just a business owner—I’m a pet mom, and my furry and scaled family members are a huge part of my life. They keep me busy and entertained, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I also have a deep love for travel and adventure, so fitting in time to explore new places and enjoy life outside of work has been important to me. But with so many passions and responsibilities, it can feel like a juggling act at times.

To add another layer, I’m also a nurse, and that comes with its own set of demands and emotional investment. Helping people heal and supporting them through tough times is something I’ve always been drawn to, and it’s such a rewarding career. But it’s also challenging to balance that with running a business, especially one as personal and emotional as Whisker & Fang.

That said, both nursing and my business have this beautiful overlap—they’re both about helping people, whether it’s offering comfort through health care or giving them a way to remember their pets in a meaningful way. Helping others is really what keeps me grounded. No matter how hectic life gets, knowing that I’m making a difference, whether for my patients or fellow pet parents, gives me a sense of purpose and keeps me going.

We’ve been impressed with Whisker & Fang, 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?
Whisker & Fang is all about helping people remember and honor their pets in a meaningful way. We create keepsakes that really resonate, especially our Halo Frame, which holds a pet’s collar and photo. What makes us different is the emotional depth behind each product. We’re not just selling things; we’re helping people hold onto those precious memories. We even collaborate with Wolfie’s Wish, who create grieving cards to support pet parents during their loss, which is something we are really proud of.

The care and thought that goes into each product is what sets us apart. I’ve always believed in offering something that speaks to the heart, and that’s what Whisker & Fang is all about—helping people through tough times and keeping the memory of their pets alive.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Starting Whisker & Fang was a real leap of faith for me! I had no idea how people would react to the idea of pet memorial products, and stepping into this market meant leaving behind the stability of a more traditional career path—which, as a nurse, I had always relied on. Nursing gave me a steady sense of purpose and security, but Whisker & Fang felt like this untapped part of me that needed to take flight. I’ve always believed that growth happens outside your comfort zone, and I knew I had to take this risk if I was going to create something meaningful.

I think my love for travel and adventure played a big part in that decision. Whether I’m exploring a new place or trying something unfamiliar, I’ve always had this desire to push boundaries and see what’s out there. That same spirit carried over into starting my business. In a way, starting Whisker & Fang felt like embarking on an unknown journey. Just like when I travel, I didn’t have a perfect roadmap—sometimes you’re following signs, and sometimes you’re just trusting your instincts.

One of the biggest risks I took was investing in partnerships and ad campaigns before knowing if they would pay off. Some worked out beautifully, and others… not so much. But that’s just like any adventure—sometimes you discover something amazing, and other times, you take a wrong turn. Every step, whether it was a success or a learning experience, taught me something valuable.

To me, risk is an essential part of growth, both personally and professionally. Just like with travel, the most rewarding moments in life often come when you step into the unknown. You can’t always predict the outcome, but you have to take the chance if you want to create something that truly matters. And while the journey of building Whisker & Fang has had its twists and turns, it’s been one of the most fulfilling adventures of my life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.whiskerandfang.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whiskerandfang/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhiskerandFang/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@whiskerandfang