Denver's Top Leash Holders & Belly Rubbers-Updog Dog Walking

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in pet care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Joshua Stephen, founder of Updog Dog Walking, located in Denver, CO, USA.

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

Updog Dog Walking is a locally owned and operated dog walking business that I started in 2014. We focus on building strong and trusting relationships with our human and canine clients through our three core principles - Integrity, Generosity, and Friendship. We provide mid-day dog walks Monday-Friday in the Denver Metro area, and our amazing team of employees are caring, passionate dog lovers that enjoy being active and outside.

Our typical customers are dog owners in the Denver area that need help stimulating and exercising their dogs during their busy work weeks. We maintain close contact and know each of them individually. Without them, we wouldn't get to do what we so greatly love - spending time in the company of happy dogs!

Tell us about yourself

I moved to Denver in 2010 from Nashville, TN, for the culture and sunshine that Denver provides. Soon after moving, I adopted Maverick, my first pup, from the Dumb Friends League rescue organization. He's an amazing blue heeler/border collie mix and is the inspiration for starting the company and also our logo.

After adopting him, the idea of a dog walking slowly started to build in the back of my mind until I realized that my sales career wasn't something I wanted to pursue further. It initially was something that I intended to bridge the gap as I figured out my next move, but I soon realized how much I loved it and how many opportunities there were in Denver for this service. After that, it was full steam ahead.

My motivation comes from my love for dogs (obviously) and growing the business. I love the idea that Updog is able to provide fun and rewarding jobs to the people we hire, and the more we grow, the more opportunity we have to give back to the Denver dog community.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Our first donation to Maxfund Animal Shelter was a major achievement. It is a huge source of pride and also validated the success of our company. Being in a position to give back and help more animals find loving homes is extremely rewarding.

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

Overcoming the fear of failure. That fear paralyzes a lot of people. As an entrepreneur, there is a lot of responsibility on your shoulders when you set out on that path, especially for the first time. However, with the right mindset, you will begin to see failure as a good thing. It's an inevitable guide that will humble you and give you the opportunity to become better.

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

Take action! Stop talking and start doing.
Don't let failure discourage you. You will 100% absolutely fail along the way, but as long as you view every failure as a lesson, you will be failing in the right direction.
Educate yourself. Being an entrepreneur is like going to your very own school, and you get to create the curriculum. There are countless resources available, many of them free - books, podcasts, Facebook groups, colleagues in your industry that can help you greatly along the way.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.updogdenver.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/updogdenver
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/updogdenver/

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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