Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in pet care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Dominick Etienne, owner of DC Doggo, located in Silver Spring, MD, USA.

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

We are DC Doggo, a dog care company. Our team strives to help our clients establish, grow, and maintain healthy relationships with their dogs.

Tell us about yourself

This line of work started as a passion for helping people work towards achieving their goals. I entered the dog care industry at the age of 18 and realized many people who work with dogs treat them as a commodity. My standard of love and care for the dogs was difficult to find working for someone else, so I decided I would do it my own way - the right way.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is having the privilege to watch my clients reach new heights with their dog's things they never thought were possible become possible. It's beautiful to see people connecting with their dogs in ways they couldn't imagine. That is the most rewarding part of being in this business.

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

The most difficult thing about owning a dog care company is understanding that I can't please everyone. We do our absolute best to prove valuable for our clients, but not every company and client is a perfect match.

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

  1. Continuing education is absolutely critical. With any business, if you aren't flexible enough to learn and try new things, you'll end up falling behind. Whether it's technology, techniques, or anything else, you need to keep up with today's standards. Oftentimes, the standards shift every time you blink.
  2. Trust yourself and your vision, but be realistic. If you know something is possible, you're the only one who can choose whether it happens or not. On the other side of the coin, don't push yourself beyond your limits. Whether it's finances, scheduling/time management, or education, you will reach a point where one needs to give. If you can't recognize that, you'll find yourself in a hole that's hard to get out of.
  3. Ask for help. It's very rare that you're the first one to do what you're trying to do. Reach out to people who are in your line of work and see what they can teach you! I've learned more than imaginable by sending emails, Instagram messages, showing up at events, and just asking questions. Most people who are passionate about what they do love to talk about it, so give them a reason!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.dcdoggo.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DCDoggo/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dcdoggo/

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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