A THURROCK woman and small business owner is celebrating after winning a top national award – reward for her years of enterprise and endeavour 'following a dream'.

Emma Holmyard runs pet supply shop Sound As A Hound at the Fobbing Farm Shop site on Waterworks Lane (SS17 9HT). 

She was delighted, if 'gob-smacked' when she was announced as winner of the the best Natural & Holistic Pet Company 2025 at the Animal Star Awards, held in Portsmouth.

Emma says: "To be recognised as being the best of the best is just amazing. It was a huge black Tie event and when they called me to the stage, I didn't even have my shoes on!

"As a council house tenant chasing my dream and not quitting when things got tough, this is amazing."

Emma has told her story to Thurrock Nub News, saying: "I was a single parent to four children for 15 years, working as a chef and bar maid while I was studying Canine Nutrition, Holistic Health for dogs, Zoopharmacognosy & Herbalism for dogs. 

"I then went to my parents and asked if I could borrow some money to start Sound As A Hound Ltd. I was still working three jobs, one of those was in a raw dog food shop as well who started out supporting me, but then forced me into leaving my job, leaving me without any work, money for my kids etc. 

"I went for a job interview at Fobbing Farm Shop and, fortunately owners Lewis and Andy hired me on the spot and I was working in the farm shop while going out with my gazebo and products to dog shows and markets each weekend to grow my business and help owners and their pets. 

"Lewis at the Farm shop, already had a pet isle in the Farm Shop and offered to sell my own brand of natural shampoos and topical skin and coat care. 

"These went down a hit with Fobbing's customers and then Lewis again offered me a share in one of the Small Business Cabins based at site so I could have a base for Sound As A Hound and the holistic side of things. 

Civic recognition from the mayor of Portsmouth at the black tie event.

"We managed to squeeze a freezer into the cabin so that we could sell the Raw dog food for dogs as well. 

"Then I burst out of the cabin as I needed more space and in January of this year I moved to inside the Farm Shop where I have more room and have been able to add more and more lines and a bigger footfall. I have gone from strength to strength which enables customers to come into store with their beloved dogs. 

"We stock raw food, biscuits and wet foods as well as a full range of holistic health products. 

We like to treat the dogs holistically to prevent the overuse of chemicals, so there are powders you can add to their food, sprays and shampoos for their coat, specialist shampoos, first aid care, paw care, ear care, eye care, cyst and wart care and most of all WE care. 

"My certificates are on the wall of the shop so that people know they are in a safe place with a qualified owner to help. The letters after my name are for my qualifications in dog nutrition and holistic health too. 

"We also have the biggest range of natural treats and chews available in Thurrock and Basildon as well as training treats and we are very proud stockists of Carnilove dry dog food, wet dog food and all of their treats and cat range as well as many other brands.

"We don't just cater for dogs either, we have products and food for wild birds, pet birds, poultry, small animals and, of course, cats. 

"To win this most prestigious award is just amazing and I still haven't come back to earth yet. 

"There were hundreds of people at this event, so I was sat with the best of the best in the UK and when Sound As A Hound was called out, I was literally gob smacked and couldn't even speak. 

"I now run my business full time in Fobbing Farm Shop which is open seven days a week, although I do try to take Mondays off, but I am here the rest of the week for customers. 

"It has always been paramount to me to do things right and get things right and I am never afraid to say I don't know the answer, but I will find out and get back to them. 

"This isn't just a business for me, this is my personal life, my whole life's work, my dream becoming reality.

"Small business is hard work, its hard work for all small business owners and we have our bad days, our quiet days, our sad days and the work/life balance is a distant memory whilst we build, but we must keep getting up, showing up and giving it our all, it's for the animals and we are their voice and they all deserve to be happy, healthy and live the best life that they can. 

"The community in Thurrock and Basildon has been nothing short of amazing supporting me and sharing my social media, I can't afford a marketer etc and I guess people like me which helps and my reputation and my business reputation is and will always remain good as failure isn't an option for me.

"The owners of Fobbing Farm Shop - again have shown amazing support, help me with the computer when I get stuck (it's not my forte, I just know about animals), support all of my crazy ideas and let me run with them. 

"This is the true meaning of 'small businesses supporting small businesses' and 'local supporting local' and that's when we start to see our dreams become normality."