Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in pet care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Allison Erb, co-owner of Paw 2 Paw Dog Walking, located in Roanoke, VA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are a pet sitting and dog walking business in Roanoke, Virginia. We also sell a line of made-in-the-USA pet treats. Our customers are pet lovers that see their pets as family. They look for a high quality of care and communication. Our customers want what's best for their pets! We approach every visit like the pet is our own because we care about their health and happiness. The treats we sell are made of all-natural ingredients and have never had a recall.
Tell us about yourself
My husband and I both used to work traditional 9-5 corporate jobs. One day we realized we were miserable! That life just wasn't for us. We'd always loved animals and spent a lot of time volunteering with local shelters and fostering dogs for various rescue groups. So creating a pet-based business seemed like a logical step. We chose a dog walking business so we could stay outside as much as possible, work independently and spend time with a variety of pets. It's hard to have a bad day when our clients are always happy to see us! Every day we get up knowing that our clients (both human and animal) rely on us. A large part of our success has been the trust between our clients and us: they know they can rely on us to provide consistent, loving care for their pets.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
For the past six years in a row, we've been voted Best In-Home Pet Sitters by the readers of local Roanoker Magazine. These awards let us know that people notice and appreciate what we do for their pets.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
At the end of the day, you're responsible for everything. If your employees underperform, if a client is unhappy, if your legal paperwork isn't taken care of, that's your responsibility. Some days that can feel overwhelming, but because we believe in our business and the service we provide, we focus on the positive aspects of business ownership.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Spend time creating a business plan. Knowing the basics of your industry will help you know where to focus your resources.
- Connect with a lawyer and an accountant/CPA in your area. You'll run into issues they'll have the knowledge to help you with.
- Be prepared to put at least 2-3 years in before you see reliable growth and profit. Some businesses take off immediately, but most take time to develop.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.paw2pawroanoke.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paw2pawroanoke
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paw2pawroanoke/
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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