Hound Nutrition Changes Hands

Loretta George

4 years ago

Ashtyn Dowell left, and Kelly Perry, are the new co-owners of Hound Nutrition. Submitted photo.

Hound Nutrition, 116 S. Main, is under new ownership.

Kelly Perry and Ashton Dowell have purchased the shop from former owner Haven Kelly, who is a Fort Scott Community College student and catcher on the school’s softball team. Haven Kelly became the tenant of the shop in August 2020, following the move of the Common Ground Coffee Shop to a different location.

“With the softball season starting, Haven was unable to give it the extra care it needed,” Dowell said.

Ashtyn Dowell, a 2020 Fort Scott High School graduate is one of the co-owners of Hound Nutrition. Submitted photo.

“We have a 50% investor from Oklahoma and Ashtyn represents his 50% of the business and works the retail side of the business,” Perry said.” I am another 50% owner in the business. All of us have some skin in the game so to speak.”

Kelly Perry is a new co-owner of Hound Nutrition. She also is the owner of The Protein Place in Iola and co-owner of Perry’s Pork Rinds in Bronson. Submitted photo.

The business sells meal replacement shakes, energizing teas, and protein coffee.

Customers can contact the business on Hound Nutrition Facebook page or Instagram, or coming soon, their new call-in line.

“We are selling the same products, but some new flavors are coming,” Dowell said.

There are some new services.

“The new service we provide is our delivery,” Perry said.

In addition, they are planning some upcoming events that will be hosted at the facility including: songwriter nights, joining the Chamber of Commerce, and tea parties “where we give informational meetings to anyone looking to start a program,” Perry said. “We break down each of the products one-by-one and educate customers on what the products do for their health. We sample a few of the products and for those who want to purchase the programs they can, or they can continue to pay for retail via our nutrition club.”

Herbalife Nutrition is the brand of product sold at the shop.

“Herbalife Nutrition is a multi-level marketing group we are #2 in the nation behind Amway,” Kelly said. “And the #1 nutrition company worldwide that has been in business for 40 years.”

“Anyone working behind the counter is an Herbalife Distributor that can sell any of our products,” Perry said. “Our nutrition clubs are a hub for people to come to try products, narrow down their wants and then purchase healthy products.”

“The customer receives one-on-one coaching and guidance from their independent distributor,” Perry said.

“Our hope is to pick up retail sales before the end of our lease in four months so the business can continue to grow and run in Ft Scott,” Perry said.

“All of the independent distributors are highly motivated self-driven and want to see a change in the community for the better,” Perry said.

“This is the second store that I have opened since January 18,” Perry said. “My husband is not involved (in this venture), he is fully invested into the pork rind business which is going full steam ahead.”

“We will soon be offering protein pretzel bites, protein waffles, and protein donuts in this location,” Kelly said.

Employees, who at this shop are called distributors, include Reaghn Dowell, Kelsey DeMott both of Fort Scott, and Chris Ames of Bronson.

Reaghn Dowell left, is in training at Hound Nutrition as a distributor. Training her is her elder sister, Ashtyn Dowell, center. Customer Kaelani Bryan, right, is purchasing a meal replacement shake and a tea on March 15.

Kelly Perry is also the owner of The Protein Place in Iola and co-owner of Perry’s Pork Rinds of Bronson, with her husband, Thaddeus.

Dowell said they will be focusing on setting up meetings for Herbalife, the supplier of their products, and those interested in say, a weight loss program.

“We can help them along their journey,” Dowell said.