Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in pet care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Eric Yeung, owner of PAWS Dog Daycare, located in Calgary, AB, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
PAWS Dog Daycare is a dog daycare in Calgary, Alberta offering daily pack walk, a kennel-free facility, and outdoor potty breaks. The daycare was created so that everyone, including the staff, would be proud to bring their dogs with them to work every day.
Our customers range from working professionals and loving PAWrents to dog owners who should want their dogs to thrive in a safe and socially stable environment. We work hard every day to create the most balanced, calmest, and safest pack anywhere in North America.
Tell us about yourself
I quit a career in the lucrative Oil & Gas industry to pursue my dream of hanging out with my dog every day. Back in 2008, my girlfriend, my wife now, and I moved into our first house together. We made that house a home by bringing a German Shepherd mix puppy named Keira into our lives.
The promise to Keira was she would be the most well-behaved pup that I could possibly train. So that led me down to studying dog training techniques of all types. Eventually, it evolved to helping friends and family with their dogs. It evolved into a side gig and then opened the daycare on October 18, 2010.
My motivation each day is to help provide an environment where dogs of all shapes and sizes can thrive. Our facility is 100% kennel free, and we supervise the interaction of dogs from Great Danes to teacup Chihuahuas on a daily basis.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I would say my biggest accomplishment is being able to build an enduring business (11+ years) where former staff continues to bring their own dogs to us long after they work with us. It shows the love and trust that we've built with everyone over the years.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The hardest thing is probably building a healthy and supportive culture within your company. But we've been very fortunate to be able to bring on some most hard-working, kindest, and most caring people over the years with a common goal to give the best care to dogs possible.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Find a niche: when we first opened our doors, we gained traction by caring for dogs that other daycare couldn't handle. This quickly gave us the reputation that we were competent, capable dog handlers.
- Interact with integrity: People don't want canned sales pitches. Be honest with what you do and deliver.
- Time is your most scarce asset. No one can do everything. Early on, focus on tasks that will drive momentum. Delegate or outsource everything else.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.pawsdogdaycare.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pawsdogdaycare
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pawsdogdaycare/
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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