Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in pet care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Greg Barnard, owner of Homedog Resort & Daycare, located in Columbus, OH, USA.

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

I provide my guests with all the tools and resources they need to create happy and healthy lifelong bonds with their dogs. My guests are dog lovers who are looking for help in any area regarding their dog's daily care and want to get to know their dog more!

Tell us about yourself

I opened Homedog Resort & Daycare in March of 2018. I live in Columbus, Ohio, with my wife Kristy, daughter Rayna, son Preston and dog Milton. I began pursuing my dream of opening a dog care facility shortly after adopting my dog, Milton. After researching, planning, studying, and training for many years, I finally found the building in which Homedog currently resides. With the help of my friends and family, I renovated a 10,000 square foot building into a dog care facility that could provide daycare, boarding, and training services daily to over 100 dogs. I am a certified dog trainer. Over the years, I've worked to improve the facility and expand the services offered to dog owners of Central Ohio. Every day I look forward to creating and providing new experiences for dog lovers and their dogs. When I'm not working at Homedog, I enjoy spending time with my family, exploring all that Columbus has to offer, and traveling.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner was overcoming all the reasons I shouldn't/couldn't/wouldn't become a business owner. The first step is the hardest.

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

Relinquishing control to others and understanding that they will not do things the same way you would, and that's okay.

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

  1. Plan for the worst and then expect to revise that plan over and over again.
  2. Find ways to enjoy the process; there is no end.
  3. Learn from those around you and always work to improve yourself.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Creating, launching, and growing a business is unlike anything I've done in my life. The only thing that I can say it resembles is raising a child. The child/business is yours, but in order to be a successful parent/owner, you have to have a support system and trust that they are there to help you. You have to improve yourself daily and learn from your mistakes. You have to allow your business/child to grow into what it/they are intended to be while keeping your values & morals intact. It's easy to forget why you started something and let things get out of hand, but no matter what happens, you have the power to make it what you want it to be. It just takes time and effort.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.homedogresort.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/homedogresort
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homedogresort/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/homedogresort
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/homedog-llc

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.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.