By Kevin Hassler, Associate Editor

Carlotta Lennox has led quite the life since graduating from Enid High School.

A fashion model now living in Plano, Texas, Lennox worked five years in Europe and now has added business entrepreneur to her resume.

Her business, Hey Buddy! Pet Supply Vending Co., has been gaining attention across the country. She’s been featured in a number of magazines and newspapers, and a search for her name on the Internet will show many links to Hey Buddy!

Last week, she appeared on CNBC’s “The Big Idea.” The show, hosted by Donny Deutsch, founder of Deutsch Inc., a multi-billion advertising agency, showcases budding entrepreneurs and allows them to meet people who have been successful. Their ideas are critiqued and rated.

Viewers even get a chance to chime in by going to CNBC’s Web site (www.cnbc.com) and casting their votes on whether they think an idea will become a money-maker.

Lennox’s idea, Hey Buddy!, is a vending machine filled with supplies for your dog, including treats, toys and water.

The idea came about when Lennox was living in Miami. A dog lover, she noticed when people took their dogs to the parks, they often didn’t have the basics their pets needed.

“There was a need for pickup bags (for waste), toys and water,” she said.

With soda vending machines everywhere, Lennox thought why couldn’t the same be said for a vending machine catering to dogs and their needs?

Thus, the idea for Hey Buddy! was born.

It took several years to develop the concept, and in May 2005, she received a U.S. patent for the vending machine. She also has trademarked her logo.

The first vending machine went into operation at Bark Park Central in Dallas. Since then, machines have been put in place in St. Pete Beach, Fla.; Fort Benning, Ga.; Bentonville, Ark.; and other locations in Dallas.

“It’s been an interesting journey and a wonderful one,” Lennox said.

Recently, all the legal work on a franchise agreement has been worked out, so Hey Buddy! will be able to expand through the franchising route.

Lennox’s brother, Eugene, is vice president of the company, and David Mokry is chief operating officer and oversees daily operations. The company’s Web site is www.heybuddyvending.com.

Her parents, Eugene and Alice Lennox, still live in Enid.

Her mother is not surprised about her daughter’s latest efforts.

“She loves pets,” Alice Lennox said. “She just wanted to give something back.”

Work on getting Hey Buddy! from concept to reality was done around Lennox’s regular job as a model in her spare time, her mother said.

“She’s a very focused person,” she said.

The work ethic she has shown is nothing new, her father said. During high school, she worked at Advance Food Co., where he also worked.

“I made my kids work,” Eugene Lennox said, to teach them about life.