Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in pet care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Taylor Wallace, Owner of Paws 'n' Rec, located in Tampa, FL, USA.

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

Paws' n' Rec is the ultimate fun, safe, and convenient doggy daycare, spa, and overnight solution for pups and their owners in Tampa and St. Pete. With care provided around the clock for our furry friends, we pride ourselves on our safety standards and the care our members receive. Our membership model allows us to control how many pups are in our facility at any time, as well as form strong bonds with them. Since we see the same pups frequently, we get to know their personalities, play styles, eating habits, and even nap schedules! This unique opportunity to learn the dogs so well ensures we are customizing their care based on their needs.

Tell us about yourself

I spent 10+ years running and working with technology startups. In that world, I worked with NASA scientists, leading video game designers, Harvard MBAs, and all manner of really smart, successful people dedicated to inventing a better future. But I became frustrated with how we lost sight of actually interacting with human beings, our customers, and one another while trying to "change the world." When COVID hit, I took a step back and decided I wanted to work on a business where I could have a more immediate and tangible impact on my customers, employees, and community. One of my best friends had managed a dog daycare for years, and we decided to start our own company. He brought the dog experience, and I brought my tech, marketing, and finance background. Together, we've rapidly grown a growing dog care company.

Dogs are an extension of our families, and yet owning and caring for a dog can often be a full-time job. I'm motivated to help make dog ownership easier for people so that anyone can travel, work full time, and still enjoy the benefits of having a super active pup (like my Dalmatian Bessie, who loves to run laps around my house when she's not at Paws' n' Rec). People tell us we make their lives better and the lives of their dogs brighter - and that's the best reward for what we do.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Employing 50 really hard-working and excited people that absolutely love dogs. Finding a career path in the pet industry can be really challenging, and we're building a platform that lets young people come right out of high school; if they work hard, show up on time, and are willing to learn, we can help them get to a place where they are managing their own facility, or becoming a groomer, or working on our corporate team. I want to build the kind of company that lifts everyone up as it grows.

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

I get really frustrated when people negatively (and often unfairly) review us online. We all work really hard to provide a great service, and it's so easy today to just bash someone with a bad google review before ever bringing up the issue with the business in person. It's deflating to our entire team and me. We're far from perfect, but we'll always try to make a bad situation right if a customer brings their issues to us directly.

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

  1. Find your niche and be better at it than anyone else. I'm good at raising money, thinking through systems, and marketing... I'm OK with dogs. My partner is AMAZING with dogs and doesn't have much experience with building a large company. We each have our niche, and we apply it to the niche that is dog daycare and boarding, and that's helped us grow far quicker than if the company and we were trying to do everything.
  2. Focus on making customers happy. Our best metric for success is a dog pulling on the leash to get into one of our facilities - if they're happy, the parent is happy, and happy customers build great, profitable companies.
  3. Map your fears - for most people considering starting a business, fear holds them back. But for most people, the reality of their fear is that a failed business would lead them to exactly where they are right now, but with a lot more knowledge and experience. If you start a company, and the worst thing that could happen is the business fails, and you get a job not too dissimilar from the one you have right now, go start the company. You'll be fine either way.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Whatever you're into - there is a path today to monetize it in a big way. Share your passion, don't be afraid to ask people to pay you for the work you do, and don't be afraid to connect and partner with those that have skills that complement yours. I meet so many founders just starting out that are terrified of sharing their idea or partnering with someone - most of them don't get very far. Those that talk about what they're doing that look for great partners usually build great companies. And get a dog! They add an incredible amount of meaning and responsibility to our lives. They love us unconditionally and teach us how to care for and connect with something wholly dependent upon us for many of their needs. But if you get a dog, do your homework, take them to a great daycare for socialization, make sure they get plenty of exercise, and train them early and often. You'll have a better dog.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.pawsnrec.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pawsnrec

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/pawsnrec/
https://www.instagram.com/pawsnrecpearl/
https://www.instagram.com/taywalll/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/taywall
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylor-wallace-4087363b/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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