Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in pet care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Samantha Khela, founder of Bird Sitting Toronto, located in Toronto, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My business is a specialized pet care service for small/medium birds/parrots! Anyone and everyone with a pet bird, whether a parakeet, cockatiel, conure, and more, are all customers of mine! I myself am a parrot owner (I have four budgies and one conure) and have a huge passion for giving birds a fun/loving experience at Bird Sitting Toronto and providing bird owners with peace of mind that their feathered friends are not only being looked after but given an enriched and nurturing environment while they are away.
Tell us about yourself
My name is Samantha Khela, and my educational background is in Public Policy (I have a Master's in Public Policy graduate from the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto). Entering my Master's preludes to my business, specifically when I was working an internship at the Department of National Defence in Ottawa. When I moved from Toronto to Ottawa and had first moved out on my own - I wanted to have a pet companion to call mine. I tried rabbits and fish, but none were a fit for me. And then I got myself a parakeet, which I named Matcha. Matcha was a feisty little budgie that I absolutely adored. I loved her so much: she carried me through that summer in Ottawa and also through many milestones in my life for the three years she was with me (I had graduated with my Masters, gotten engaged, and started my career in Public Policy working in the Public Sector).
Matcha unfortunately passed, and she had passed prematurely due to a poor diet, which was entirely my wrongdoing. This was what inspired me to really learn about avian care and how to take care of birds properly. Eventually, I had adopted two more budgies (Maui and Mango). When I got married to my husband, I also adopted my Conure (Miko). Life carried on, and I wanted to travel more with my husband - and that's when I had to think about caring for my feather babies. And the reality kicked in for me: there were so many dog/cat sitters, but very rarely do you come across a bird sitting service or someone who specializes/understands birds. That's when I decided to start Bird Sitting Toronto! With a deep love for birds, more experience in avian care, and also working with my husband to promote online - I was able to get my first customer in October 2021 (a lovebird to care for), and things just expedited from there.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner has always been making my clients happy. I understand and know the anxiety and struggle of leaving your pet with a complete stranger. Providing my clients with peace of mind and ease that their birds are in safe and reliable hands is always my biggest accomplishment with my business!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
In my particular case, the hardest thing that comes with my business is space. I run Bird Sitting Toronto in the comfort of my own condo, but with many birds (and mess!) to deal with on top of working, my day job can be stressful at times (especially when the birds decide to be noisy!).
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
I never actually thought I would start my own business, but the top 3 tips I would give to someone that is looking to start a business today:
- Make sure you are passionate about the business you are trying to run, and success will follow.
- Always think about what the customer desires and why they would want your service.
- Think ahead and think of ways to improve your service. You may think that it's successful and steadily growing, but there are always ways that you can make your product/service even better!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://birdsittingtoronto.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/birdsittingtoronto
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birdsittingtoronto/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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