Incorporating locally made goods from passionate entrepreneurs is just one of our missions at airport terminals throughout the country.
Dana Russo, founder of Los Angeles-based Bone Voyage Collection and dog mom, recently had her high-quality, travel-inspired dog toys hit the shelves of Paradies’ Relay at Los Angeles International Airport Terminal B (Tom Bradley International Terminal). Now, passengers can take home a piece of California with toys from her California Dreamin’ collection.
For Russo, it all started when she had trouble finding unique dog toys from her travels to bring home to her rescue dog, Harper. She and her husband had hopes of finding destination-themed dog toys but could only find generic dog toys at pet stores and ended up settling for a stuffed bear made for children from the airport in Belgium. Her disappointment sparked an idea.
Drawing on her graphic design background, Russo developed the Bone Voyage Collection logo before moving into creating premium, travel-inspired dog toys. But she didn’t stop there. Determined to break into the competitive airport retail space, she attended industry events, networked with joint venture partners, and immersed herself in the airport retail community.
After attending a webinar hosted by our Advance Network discussing how to get products into John F. Kennedy International Airport, she reached out to one of the panelists, a Los Angeles-based concessionaire, to bounce her idea off of him. This led to introductions within the airport community, suggestions to attend product events in New York, and ultimately an introduction to the buyers at Paradies Lagardère.
“Getting local entrepreneurs into shops with prime operators is our goal every time we host an informational session,” said Maral Matossian, ASUR Airports VP, LAX. “This is a great case study in how networking with our team and the airport community, acting on the feedback and perseverance can open doors. We’re thrilled to be the first airport location to offer these unique products.”
Following advice from industry experts, Russo expanded her line beyond toys to include bandanas and collar charms and tested her products streetside before entering airports. Her pitch to eight local pet stores was a success, with products flying off shelves. Three years later, Bone Voyage Collection has landed in its dream location, LAX.
Russo credits her success to patience, persistence, and gratitude. She tapped into the growing trend of pet owners traveling with and without their dogs, appealing to their desire to share a love of exploration with their furry companions.
“You have to be patient, you have to be tenacious, and you have to show up,” Russo said. “There’s a lot that goes into it, but be respectful, show gratitude, and take chances. I wouldn’t be here without doing all of these things, but especially without the support of the amazing people I’ve met along the way.”
Looking ahead, Russo hopes to expand Bone Voyage Collection to more major airport locations and introduce new destination-themed collections. Her story is a testament to the power of creativity, community, and perseverance in turning an idea into a thriving business.
