Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in pet care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Cathy Hilscher, owner of Cats Kingdom, located in Manchester, NH.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

My business is a "one of a kind" pet store geared ONLY towards Cats... If someone is owned by a cat :) my store is for you... My customers, believe it or not, vary from the young and old, both male and female...

Tell us about yourself

Wow, where do I begin.? When my cat Pierre was diagnosed with kidney disease, I began to do my research... I realized that food played a pivotal role in fending off this disease or even avoiding getting it at all... So I was determined to get the best foods and holistic care products under one roof... Cats Kingdom was then born...

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

The fact that I literally took a 15,000 loan off of a personal credit card to create my first 500 sq foot store location and built it from the ground up. And I guess, seven years later, I am actually now a full-blown pet store still for Cats Only; it is still amazing to me.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

The hardest thing for sure has been finding the right person/employee to learn and grow with me. While I have had great support around me. Unfortunately, this never really lets me get totally away for any amount of time from the store...

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Have the financial backing to GROW the business.
  2. Have Excellent Credit in order to get help later on if needed.
  3. YOU must be totally passionate about the business you are thinking of starting, and don't let anyone talk you out of it...

Anything else you'd like to share?

The reward of helping as many cats and their persons out over the years has all been worth the struggles I have had over the years...

Where can people find you and your business?

https://www.catskingdom.online/

https://www.instagram.com/catskingdomnh/

https://www.facebook.com/catskingdomnh/

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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