Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in pet care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Joyce Aliaga, co-owner of Pampered Pet Resorts, located in Naples, FL, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are in the business of ensuring your fur babies are safe, healthy and living their best lives while you are at work or away for whatever reason it may be. We offer the highest standard in pet care and strive to evolve to better the experience for not only you but your pup consistently.
Tell us about yourself
I began my career in pet care when I came home from the military and met a pup, Diesel, that my mom adopted while I was overseas. He taught me so much about a world that I had no idea existed. I became a certified dog trainer in 2007 and volunteered my time and services to local shelters to help their residents become "more adaptable." I began my first kennel tech position at a small mom-and-pop daycare in 2010, and that was an absolute game-changer for me. I fell in love with this world of pet care and realized that there was a bigger need for better, safer environments for our pets. I began a deep dive into the daycare and boarding industry and realized there was so much untapped potential in what we could truly provide. An animal activist and enthusiast myself, I knew that in order for me to feel fully confident in leaving my pet somewhere, it was up to me to submerge myself in the experience and begin to visualize and create that space for not only my dogs but for yours too.
That dream began to become a reality in 2017 when I met my business partner, who had the construction background to match my operations background. Together, we create Pampered Pet Resorts. We opened our doors in December of 2019, a short period before the world shut down in 2020 due to the pandemic. In such a short time of opening, we had a handful of pups that continued to show up for us even though their parents were now working from home and truly didn't need our services. There are no words to truly express how much that meant to me and provided me with everything I needed to push through the unknown and make this work. The pandemic gave me a new respect for creativity and adaptation to what everyone needs as an independent entity.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment is my pack. I am so proud of everyone who walks through our doors and becomes a part of our Pampered Pet Family. I love what I do, and when I see someone else enjoying themselves while they interact with the dogs, man, it is just the greatest sensation as a business owner. They are what makes this possible, and they are a huge part of the success of Pampered Pet Resorts.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Balance. Being a business owner is not a 9-5 Monday through Friday gig. I am on 24/7/365, and that means sometimes I must cancel a trip or plans to see family over a holiday – even postponing my honeymoon to ensure all operations run smoothly. Each pet had the dedicated time and love they deserved. My commitment is to be readily available at any time to ensure that my pack has the support they need to be successful.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Don't let "this is hard" ever deter you. Because if it was easy, everyone would do it! Acknowledge your strengths and embrace your weaknesses. When you realize what your weaknesses are, surround yourself with people that compliment them. Lastly, know the value of what you are providing and stand by it. You are a boss, and you are a professional in your industry. Try not to let others bully you into lowering your value.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
No matter what, love what you do. If you don't wake up excited to go to work, then evaluate why you are doing what you do. I left a well-paying job once for a minimum wage job and never ever looked back. It was my first position at a doggy daycare, and because I took that leap, I was able to find my true happiness in this world. Change is scary, but if you allow it to paralyze you – you will never grow past it and become a better version of yesterday.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.pamperedpetresorts.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PamperedPetResorts
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pamperedpet_naples/
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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