Meet Our Founder

Barbara Clarke Ruiz
CEO & Founder

Hi, I'm Barbara, and this is Loona Blu, our Chief Tasting Officer (CTO). She takes her job very seriously, especially when treats are involved.

Thank you for taking the time to learn a little about us.

For more than 25 years, I've had the privilege of creating products and building brands for some of the world's most recognized companies, including adidas, Nike, FILA, ASICS, New Balance, Walmart, Disney, and EleVen by Venus Williams. Throughout my career, one thing has always mattered most to me: creating products people genuinely love and trust.

But of everything I've built, Lick You Silly Pet Products is the one closest to my heart.

Like so many of you, my dogs have always been family. I wanted treats I could feel proud to give them every single day. Simple ingredients. Real nutrition. No fillers, artificial preservatives, grains, gluten, or unnecessary chemicals. Just wholesome treats made with the same care I'd expect for any member of my own family.

Every product we create begins with one simple question:

Would I proudly give this to my own dog?

If the answer isn't yes, we don't make it.

That philosophy has guided every decision we've made, from sourcing ingredients to developing recipes and building a brand that thousands of dog parents trust.

Prior to the pandemic, eight Kimpton Hotels selected Lick You Silly treats for their pet-friendly welcome amenity program, a testament to our commitment to quality and our passion for creating wholesome treats dogs love. Our award-winning Nutterdoodles were also recognized by Cosmopolitan magazine as one of the Best Dog Treats.

One of my favorite stories is how our company got its name.

When I started the business, I was already selling products under another name and had applied for a trademark. About six weeks later, I learned the trademark had been denied. Suddenly, I had to start over and quickly find a completely new name. It felt overwhelming because I wanted something that wasn't just available. I wanted a name that truly reflected the heart of this brand.

Around that time, my sweet dog Pepper had developed a habit of constantly licking herself. It became one of those unmistakable sounds you could hear from anywhere in the house.

One night, I woke up half asleep to the sound of Pepper licking away and mumbled, "One day you're going to lick yourself silly."

Then I stopped.

Lick You Silly.

The next morning I started saying it out loud to friends and family. Every single person smiled. Most laughed. Everyone remembered it.

In that moment, I knew I'd found the name.

I trademarked it, and the rest is history.

Today, every order that leaves our warehouse carries the same mission that inspired us from the very beginning: creating treats that make tails wag, bring families together, and give dog parents complete confidence in what they're feeding the ones they love most.

I know there are countless choices when it comes to caring for your dog, and I'm truly grateful you've chosen Lick You Silly. Thank you for trusting us with a member of your family. It's a responsibility I take to heart every single day.

From our family to yours,

Barbara Clarke Ruiz
Founder & CEO