Tom and Molly Wescott’s homegrown Wodonga business Happy Staffy Co collected the award for Most Outstanding Business at the 2025 Albury Wodonga Business Awards. Now this dynamic brother-sister duo is urging others to enter this year’s awards, with applications open from 15 May. Photo: Albury Business Connect.
Siblings Tom and Molly Wescott agree that working with dogs “is just the best”.
Even better are the hundreds of photos they receive daily from dog owners delighted with their Happy Staffy products, designed for all those hard-hitting “power chewers”!
“There are just so many cute doggos out there,” Molly says.
It’s been quite the rise to fame for the brother-sister duo of Molly, 33, and Tom, 31, who launched their Wodonga-based company four years ago on the back of their increasing frustration with dog toys that just didn’t cut it.
Tired of overhyped and overpriced products that didn’t last longer than five minutes, treats full of suspicious sounding ingredients and “coming home to what used to be a couch”, they decided to take matters into their own hands.
What began in Tom’s garage with a couple of beloved – but destructive – Staffies and a dream to “chew” things better for their canine friends has seen the family (mum Wendy is also involved in the business) outgrow two warehouses, expand overseas and attract an enviable 700,000-strong social media following.
And in 2025, this homegrown Border business also collected the award for Most Outstanding Business at the Optus Albury Wodonga Business Awards.
Now the Happy Staffy co-founders are urging other local businesses to sink their teeth into entering this year’s awards, with applications open from 15 April (and closing on 22 May), culminating in a gala event on 7 August.
A new format, which removed on-site visits and introduced two rounds of judging to even up the playing field, attracted a record 159 entries across 15 categories last year for the awards that recognise the exceptional contribution of businesses and their people to the local economy and community.
The 2026 awards, which are again on track to attract a record number of entries, will feature an additional two categories – Excellence in Innovation, and Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion, according to event co-ordinator Desiree Georgiou.
She says the awards are more about the process, than the prize.
“Entering the awards is a fantastic way to step back and reflect on what you’ve achieved, the milestones you’ve reached and the challenges you might have overcome,” Desiree says.
“Everyone gets something from the process, even if they don’t win. Every entrant benefits from the experience of our expert judging panel, who provide constructive insights to help you grow. This is more about what it’s going to do for your business than winning a trophy.”
Happy Staffy co-founder Tom Wescott says their products have been well received in the US market: “There are a lot of power chewers over there!” Photo: Happy Staffy.
Molly and Tom, as first-time entrants in the awards, say they found the process really enjoyable.
“It was actually a beautiful time to sit back and reflect on what we’ve achieved and it was really motivating for our entire team,” Molly says.
“Another benefit was connecting with other awesome business owners and the positive flow-on effect, including comments, reactions and support on our socials.”
Tom says they initially entered the small business category of the awards, so to go on and win the top gong “really fired us up”.
“To be recognised as an outstanding business … well, it’s very motivating, and we’re a lot more driven,” he says, adding that the award now takes pride of place in the office.
And even though the company has gone global, it’s been reaffirming to have “a foot in the local business community” through the awards process, according to Molly.
“We both grew up in Wodonga so being recognised in your own community is so important,” she says.
Both siblings agree that when you’re “head down, bum up” trying to get a business off the ground, it can be hard to take the time to stop and smell the roses.
“We’re all busy,” Tom says. “But writing the application really allowed us to reflect on our journey, and to think, ‘Wow, look at what we’ve achieved’. That process also made me think about what we want to achieve in the future.”
Since the success of last year’s award, the dynamic duo has launched a range of “cool new products” and expanded into more than 90 wholesale stores, while continuing to grow the business across Australia and into the US market.
“There are a lot of power chewers over there,” Tom laughs in reference to Happy Staffy’s popularity in the US.
But at the end of the day, the siblings remain firmly focused on what it is that drives their business – the happiness, health and comfort of man’s best friend.
About 20 years ago, their first Staffy, Max, came into the family’s lives and completely stole their hearts – but sort of wrecked everything else in the near vicinity.
Today Tom is still a proud doggy dad to two Staffies, Ali and Bundy, while Molly has gone “a bit off brand” with a boxer named Murphy.
“One week in business can feel like a year,” Molly says. “But we are so incredibly lucky we get to go into work and have so much fun as a brother and sister, with our mum in the business, and working with dogs, which is just the best!”
To find out more or to enter, go to Albury Wodonga Business Awards or check out the Happy Staffy success story.
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