Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in pet care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Chris Pelle, CEO & Lead Instructor of Complete Canine Training, located in Brighton, CO, USA.

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

Complete Canine Training is a dog training company that trains every type of dog, from family pet dogs to police K9s. Our customers are dog owners who are having difficulties achieving harmony with their dogs in their homes. Our Police K9 customers are law enforcement departments that are either starting up a K9 unit or have an established K9 unit and are looking to expand their program or training.

Tell us about yourself

I am the CEO of Complete Canine Training. I got started in training after I got my first dog and fell in love with the training process, and recognized that there is a massive need for great dog training. I've grown the company from a single-man operation to over 25 employees and the best dog training company in Colorado. I love what I do, and I know that each day and each dog we train makes a difference in our community and our client's homes.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner has been scaling the company without overextending and putting the company into a jeopardizing position.

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

Being a strong and good leader. You have to learn to adapt your leadership or develop it to meet your employee's goals and take a back seat to yours. It's humbling and requires hard work to grow yourself.

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

  1. Do more research than what you think is necessary. I ran into many roadblocks that I didn't know existed that held us up as a company.
  2. Just make the jump already. If you continue telling yourself you're not ready, you won't ever be. It's a very hard choice to quit a salaried position to start your own thing. You will always have doubts, but fear is a veil of feelings. Once you take the step forward, it's not as scary as your thought.
  3. Be prepared to work harder than you have in the past. Prepare your partners, friends, and family for the adventure you are about to embark on. Owning a business takes its toll on everyone in your life. You will likely lose people that you are close to because of your business.
  4. Bonus Tip: Work hard but don't throw away your life for the business. You must maintain a work-life balance of some sort that is healthy for you.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.completecaninetraining.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/completek9t/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/completek9training_co/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/completek9train
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/completek9training/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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