Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Heather Smith, Founder of Pet Lover's Passion, located in State College, PA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I started Pet Lover's Passion in 2015 with the goal of sharing my passion and love for training animals. I focused my business mainly around dogs and cats, and my clients are people looking to solve problem behaviors and build a better relationship with their animals at the same time.
I use relationship-based and positive reinforcement training methods to bring out the best in dogs and cats with lasting results! I like to get to the root cause of a behavior issue and resolve it at the source! As I always tell my clients: remember to keep training FUN!
Tell us about yourself
I am a Pet Lover, and it is my passion to improve the bond between people and animals through training. I got started by teaching my first dog, Rosie, over 120 words and tricks, starting when I was 11. I also taught my cats and chickens tricks and wanted to train a goat someday, just to show people that animals of all kinds are very smart!
In high school, as early as 9th grade, my spare time was spent planning my business and educating myself in the art of dog training. Right after high school, I enrolled in Animal Behavior College and became a certified dog trainer. I continue to share my passion for training animals every day, and the results that I help my clients accomplish are what motivate me. ☺
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My greatest accomplishment as a business owner and pet trainer is watching my clients realize the potential their pet has when we do a little training - watching the human-animal bond grow stronger and sweeter!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
One of the hardest things about being a business owner is giving yourself a break. I find myself with so many ideas and so little time to bring them all to fruition that I can burn myself out! Balance your rest time with your hard work time - balance is the key to life, after all. :)
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
My top 3 tips for anyone just getting started as an entrepreneur are:
- Always do your best, but remember that perfectionism can get in the way. Just do your best at that moment, and you can perfect it later. ♥
- Be different! What makes you different from all the rest. Express that to your potential clients!
- And lastly, your love for what you do shines through to your clients and keeps your business fun and genuine—that sincerity is what ultimately attracts the best clients! When you lose that spark, the one that encouraged you to go on this journey, you lose good clients.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.petloverspassion.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PetLoversPassion
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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