Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sylvia Koczerzuk, Founder of Walkabout Canine Consulting, located in Kingsville, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am a professional dog trainer and behaviour consultant. My clients are dog parents/guardians with dogs.
Tell us about yourself
I started working as an Office Manager in a Veterinary Hospital. At the time, there was little learning available about dog trainers and behaviour. I was fortunate to have a boss who was clear about support staff having continuing education about training and behaviour, and he would practice the medicine side. After leaving due to a location move, I used my interest and passion for dogs and launched this into a business and continued my learning to obtain my certification in professional dog training and behaviour consulting. I love the science and psychology of the dog, and of course, that learning spills into working with the human side of the leash. I enjoy meeting dog guardians/parents and their dogs. I love the learning that never stops, and having this as my business is a gift. Don't get me wrong, I do run a business, and that is the hard part. The work is my passion.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I have managed to start a business and be able to pay my bills. The biggest accomplishment is that I have had to start my business over 5 times due to location moves because of my husband's career.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
As a one-person business, the hardest part of being a business owner is the back-end work. The marketing, building a brand, learning social media, website design, and keeping up with continuing education as a one-man business. This, of course, is by my own design, and I certainly, at this point, am not in a place where I want to create a team, but at this time of my life, I quite enjoy the schedule I have set with no pressures.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Create the business you want, set your services/products and your prices in order to have a wage that will allow you to pay bills and have the extras.
- Listen to your clients but at the same time create a liveable schedule.
- Set boundaries with how you deliver. Learn how to say No.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.walkaboutcanineconsulting.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/walkaboutcanineconsulting
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/walkaboutcanineconsulting/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sylvia-koczerzuk-3b897969/
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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