Compassion For All Animals - SARA

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in pet care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Tracy Frank, Founder of SARA, located in Seguin, TX, USA.

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

SARA is an animal sanctuary. We help any animal, no matter the species, special health needs, or temperament. Currently, we support around 700 animals of all kinds.

Tell us about yourself

I've been running this sanctuary for almost 30 years. I started it because I care about animals, and there are so many in need and suffering. I had property available, so I just dove in and started rescuing animals, creating a non-profit, and building the infrastructure - in that order.

Not the wisest way to go, but the need was/is so great. I'm motivated by all the animals here who we have to feed and care for 365 days a year.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Well, in this type of business, it's helping to save so many animals and becoming one of the largest sanctuaries in the world. But I think just staying all these years afloat and making it work an accomplishment.

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

Until very recently, all of the responsibility has fallen on me. I have to make all of the major decisions, hiring, firing, budgeting, staving off creditors... All while also physically caring for animals. We have a great, dependable staff now, but that wasn't the case for most of these years.

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

1. The best advice someone once gave me was, "Follow your bliss." Do what you love and find a way to make it happen. You have to work at something that matters and matters to you.
2. Purely setting up a business to make money doesn't seem very fulfilling to me.
3. Preplan- unlike what I did. Set realistic goals and try to surround yourself with people who are supportive. And don't give up. All my life, I've been told I never take no for an answer, and that's a good thing.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.sarasanctuary.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SarasSanctuary
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarasanctuaryorg/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sara_sanctuary
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-frank-7365b5108/

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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