Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in pet care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Ruth Smith, owner and head trainer of A-Z DOGS LLC., located in Charlotte, NC, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
A-Z DOGS focuses on a holistic dog training approach to look at the whole dog, i.e., we look beyond just obedience and focus heavily on nutrition, body language, and behavior issues. We love empowering dog owners to help them learn how to communicate properly to have a stress-free life and household. My clients are the ones that want to learn how to be the best dog parents possible.
Tell us about yourself
I started my business after being a Veterinarian Assistant and trainer for years and seeing the disconnect between humans and dogs. I rescued a dog while I was a Vet assistant. Unfortunately, this pup came to me less than a year old but with severe irreversible trauma. It is not a happy story, but you can read "The Story of Stark" on my blog. Stark prepared me for a future that I had yet to step into. My venture to get him help is how I started as a dog trainer and wanted to be able to help other owners understand their dog and the root cause of the behavior versus a quick fix.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment has been scaling the business to new levels and creating a life that I want for myself and my dogs that they deserve. I was raised in poverty, with very low socioeconomic status, making it even harder, especially as a woman, to start and grow my business in a world of capitalism that wants the lower class to stay there. I have always had a hustle mentality and wanted to create the life I knew I deserved.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Overcoming my mentality. The thing about starting a business they do not tell you is that your past traumas, fears, and the way you were raised will all be barriers you have to overcome to grow to new levels.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Do not be scared to ask for help. You need a good therapist and even better business coaches and confidence in yourself and your dreams to succeed. Without these three and the capacity to ask for help, you nor your business will reach maximum potential.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Do not let yourself, the system, or anyone tell you that you can not do something.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.a-zdogs.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AZDOGSLLC/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/azdogsllc/
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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