We recently connected with Jill Valuet and have shared our conversation below.

Jill, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?

Radiant Paws is the name of my company. I wanted something in the name that let people know right away that it was a service for dogs, so wanted to use something like “paws” or “tail.” And I also wanted something that reflected how dogs feel after a massage. There were already companies using words like “calm,” “zen,” “serene” and words similar to that. I went outside of the normal human massage terms and took a look at how it relates to dogs. After a massage, dogs tend to be calm and relaxed the rest of the day. But the next day usually they have better energy, so they feel radiant! Hence Radiant Paws was born.

Jill, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I provide dog massage and I go to clients’ homes for the sessions. Most people don’t know that dog massage is an option. It works similarly to human massage where it helps with aches & pains, stress & anxiety, improves mobility, speeds up healing from illness & surgery, helps puppies grow into their adult bodies, helps calm high energy, relieves pent up emotions like grief, works as preventative care for healthy dogs and so much more. It’s never too early or too late to start massaging a dog. Dog massage is much gentler than human massage and leaves dogs feeling happy, calm and relaxed.

I started Radiant Paws in 2018 and it was a mid-life career change for me. Most of my adult life I spent doing graphic design. In 2018 I was a freelancer and wasn’t as busy as I needed to be but was feeling burnt out on design work. I decided to shift and use a different part of my brain. Completely starting over was scary, so I started with what I loved, which is dogs. I then researched what dog professions are out there and that’s when I discovered dog massage. I also found a school about an hour away from me that taught the certification and took that as a sign it was meant to be. I opened my business in 2018 and have not looked back. It brings me so much joy to work with dogs of all ages, sizes, breeds, temperaments and health issues.

I am most proud of how far I have come in building this business. I am an introvert by nature, so putting myself out there was terrifying at first. With practice and time it got easier. I have learned so much about owning my own business and all the different hats I’m required to wear. It’s been a huge confidence builder not only to see the business grow and thrive, but also to hear from my clients on how much massage has improved their dog’s life.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Social Media is an easy way for introverts like me to reach a larger audience. It has been the primary way I advertise who I am and what I do. It helps significantly that I have a graphic design background, so I understand how to create eye-catching images and to keep everything consistent to my brand. I started out just on Facebook and Instagram and recently gotten into TikTok. I see more engagement on TikTok than the other two combined. And while filming videos sometimes feels like a third job, it has led to new client bookings.

To those starting out, it is important that your message and your look is consistent. That doesn’t mean every post has to look the same, it shouldn’t. But you should use consistent colors, fonts, and language. It’s worth the money to invest in a good logo design, that will be the foundation of your brand. You want people to recognize a post as coming from your company every time they see one.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

I collect email addresses from every client use MailChimp to send out newsletters. It’s a free and easy way to reach your clients on a regular basis. Mailchimp has easy templates to use. When a session is ended I always ask when they would like to book their next one, as it is easier for them to commit to a day and time right then rather than if we wait.

As for fostering brand loyalty, I am fortunate that there aren’t a lot of people offering dog massage. When a client tries my service and see first hand how much it helps their dog that usually leads to their loyalty for the rest of that dog’s recovery process or life. I treat every client with respect and gratitude and make no judgments on anything related to their dog, the state of their house, or anything else.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.radiantpawspm.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/radiant_paws/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/radiantpaws
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jill-valuet-5aa6204/
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@radiant_paws