Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in pet care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Regan Macaulay, founder of Kuri K9 Massage, located in Toronto, ON, Canada.

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

I am a mobile Certified Canine and Feline Massage Therapist working in the Toronto area since 2013. I started this business to help pets live healthier, happier lives by relieving physical and emotional pain and tension, thereby also relieving stress for fur baby moms and dads (my customers)—boosting the quality of life together for longer.

Massage is the manual manipulation of tissue. It has been developed over hundreds and thousands of years to achieve specific physical responses, depending on the desired effect. Massage works to relieve pain and loosen physical tension. Pets of any size, age, breed, or activity level can benefit from massage physically and psychologically, including canine athletes, dogs and cats with jobs, pets recovering from illness, surgery, or injury, elderly pets, puppies, animals in need of palliative care, rescue dogs and cats, nervous or shy animals, and pets with a history of abuse, neglect, or abandonment. Remember, however, canine/feline massage is not a replacement for Veterinary treatment, and all pets are assessed for contraindications via an interview and initial consultation prior to their first massage with me. Any injury or illness a pet may have must be evaluated by a Veterinarian prior to receiving any form of massage therapy.

I also provide Distance Reiki services for pets anywhere in the world. Reiki is a Japanese word meaning Universal Life Energy. It is a natural, safe, hands-on healing therapy allowing animals (and people) to absorb more life-force energy. Reiki involves no manipulation is non-addictive and non-invasive. It creates and promotes self-healing, balances energies, and revitalizes. Reiki channels energy to your pet in a powerful and gentle way, enhancing relaxation and providing a sense of peace and contentment. Reiki can be effective on its own or as a complement to other modes of healing.

Tell us about yourself

I have worked with dogs and cats in one capacity or another my entire working life. Ever since I was a small child, I have made strong connections with animals of all sorts. I could empathize with them, quickly creating incredible bonds through my calm demeanor and positive energy, winning their trust when others couldn't. Friends, family, and even strangers have commented that I have "a way" with animals.

I have continued to strengthen this connection with animals over the years by working with them in many different settings and circumstances (at vet clinics, pet stores, and even as an Animal Wrangler on the children's TV series "Once Upon a Hamster" and for my own films), by being an animal parent all my life, by studying through Treetops Canine Massage Therapy Program and e-Training for Dogs (Pet First Aid and CPR, Herbal Remedies and Aromatherapy, and the All-Fit Dogs course), volunteering at the Toronto Humane Society, Little RES Q, the Annex Cat Rescue, and by being attuned to Reiki Level II.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I am particularly proud to have forged such strong relationships with both my dog and cat clients and their human moms and dads. I truly feel I am a part of their team. Just developing those relationships and bonds (animal and human) and the learning curve involved in growing the business itself has been my biggest accomplishment. And the growth continues!

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

I'd have to say that would be the "business" end of things. Working with animals comes naturally to me. It's the accounting/budgeting and marketing that's toughest for me, but I'm learning and developing more every day.

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

  1. Do what you absolutely love because there will be parts of being an entrepreneur that you won't like or don't come naturally to you. You need to be passionate about your career in order to stick with it and learn to tackle those things that aren't so easy, at least until you can hire someone else to do it for you!
  2. Get yourself out there. This means in-person events, social media, and other media (podcasts, video/TV, print, etc.)
  3. Have a team of some sort. You'll need the help and support. Whatever you can manage financially, it will be worth it when you have the right people backing you up in whatever ways they are willing and most talented at. I have a business coach who has made all the difference, and my small admin team is absolutely invaluable!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.kurik9massage.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KuriK9Massage
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/KuriK9Massage/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KuriK9Massage
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/regan-macaulay-18989a34/

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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