Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Angela Clark . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Angela thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea
It all starts with a thought . Just an idea that crosses your mind like a cloud crosses the sky .. A spark in your imagination when you think … could I .?? This is a pivotal moment as Its up to us rather we decide to water these ideas.or let them drift by . Rather we take that small amount of time daily to contribute to them . These thoughts that turn into small actions and than small habits determine the trajectory of our lives .
I started by first business in 2007 . I was working an insane amount of hours to support myself and my son when I had an epiphany .. I thought to myself if this business can afford to pay my wages than how much money was I really making them ? Why couldn’t I just do this for myself ? A business cannot afford to pay you if you are not either making them money or preventing them from losing it. I was making them money so now I just needed to figure out how to make it for myself .
The next step seems to be where a lot of people fail. They fail because they decided not to take the small action . They get so wrapped up on the big idea of everything they will need and what it will cost … How to do it that they don’t just start . The first step is to start ..start small if you have to , but start
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My first business was in 2007 I started a dog kennel,”Confidential Kennels ” .. When I was a girl my grandma had rabbits , geese , horses and show dogs. She grew up in Missouri on a farm and I loved to spend time with her learning about animals and how to care for them . As I grew older I always wanted to raise and care for animals , but I would often hear how it’s not a career and be asked what I was going to do when I grew up . This type of thinking contributed to me going to school and gaining a career in a field I did not care for nor did I want. It paid the bills and it was consistent, but there was a little thought that always crossed my mind, “What if I started a business with animals ?”. I started to feed this thought … I took action to gain the materials needed to build the kennel . I worked overtime and asked family member ‘s to help . A lot of people laughed at the ideas I had, but my sister did not she was supportive of my madness..
I was able to open the kennel and it was a huge success. I later created a skin/fur care line of topical treatments for dogs and helped create a dog/cat probiotic company as well. In 2017 the airlines banned a large number of dog and cat breeds from domestic airline travel , My sister Lindsey and I started a company called Feather and Fur Express which is now primarily International . That company relocates animals all over the world. However , the need for animals to be relocated domestically was still in high demand . In 2019 I started a domestic Animal Relocation company called ,”Aniops”, short for Animal Operations” which relocated thousands of animals a year domestically . Aniops Logistics hopes to be the Fedex for domestic pet travel . I am currently building a company named AO Ranch . The goal of AO Ranch will be to produce and raise free range chicks and natural milk/egg products . There will be off grid camping and outfitting available at the ranch which will include backpacking, horseback, fishing and canoeing excursions… I later hope to incorporate assistance for veterans to transition from active duty to civilian at the ranch as I have a soft spot for veterans and donate service dogs to them yearly through Confidential Kennels.
I believe what sets me apart from others is that I’m creative and willing to start .. If I can drive something home for the readers its to start . Everyone has doubts . Don’t complicate it . Start small with what you can do. starting will give you the confidence and belief in yourself that it can be done. Don’t listen to people who don’t believe you or cannot see it for you .. Sometimes these people will be people you respect and love… If they cannot see it for themselves they surly cannot for you. All great things start small so please just start.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
If you’re an influencer or want to be most people on social media depending on the platform want to see the type of life your living and how you did it . If they’re watching you ..you may have a lifestyle not considered normal or have information or if a business you may have a product/service the public wants or needs..People tend to spend more and take more interest in what they want over what they need. The follower wants to know that you have authenticity. Why because it either gives them hope that they will also be able to live this lifestyle or that the information or product your selling is genuine . . Followers want to engage. An Article in beffer.com states, “By replying to comments, you’re showing your followers (and customers) that you care, that you’re responsive, and that their feedback matters. All of this helps you build connections and can help you stand apart from other businesses who aren’t as responsive.,”Mar 23, 2022”.
It’s also just as important to know the best time of day to post depending on the platform. Most social media is between 6-9 pm and 12-3 pm and the best day to post is on Friday . If your posting on Facebook there higher traffic time is 7-9 am. This is why it’s important to know your audience. The highest part of Facebook users are men between 25-34 so if this is not your target range for your clients or viewers you may want to take it infor consideration when you start paying for advertisement or spending time posting. our stories should reflect what we are doing in real time and the journey. Our post should be the best reflection or foot forward . These are some helpful tools to building an audience . Make sure what your offering is targeting your followers.
Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.
At one point I found myself day dreaming about what I would have to make or sale in order to quit my job and follow my dream . I calculated it all out on paper and started slowly acquiring what I needed to quit . I financed a van big enough to move animals.. I maxed out credit cards and got family members to invest with cost to build . I would work afterhours on my website which you can do on your own with a simple template on wordpress or yola. If you’re just starting and dont have the money yet to have a professional build your site I recommend to instead put your money into the SEO and Google ads to draw people to your site . This will help to make sales or to connect with new clients. If your worried about mistakes don’t be. Mistakes are a part of growth and some typos actually help people to see you as relatable. Companies and influencers even sometimes intentionally write typos to attract traffic, project authenticity ,make backhanded statements and to deflect attention according to Proedit.com.. Using The money for adds and marketing instead will get you more of an immediate return so that you can pay expenses . You can always pay a professional to rebuild your site later or use the money to buy more inventory . You can work a part time job while building your dream … I would build my kennel on my days off and than once the kennel was up and going I took time off from the kennel to relocate animals at first for people I knew who needed there animals moved and than eventually it spread like wildfire and anyone that needed a pet relocated or moved to call me, The airlines restricted several breeds so it was the only way to traveland at the time I was the only ground shipper moving pets. Now there are several , but when I created the company I was the only one moving them ground domestically . It okay that your business started as a side hustle , but there will come a time will you will need to quit that job in order to fully commit to it . You can live cheaper.. get roommates or whatever you need to be able to take the time to build the company . It requires dedication and your time . .
Contact Info:
- Website: www.Aniops.com or www.ConfidentialKennels.com
- Instagram: @Confidential.Kennels or @Ao_Ranch @CK_Cane_Corso
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090268473467&mibextid=QQj4d
- Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-clark-90785667
- Youtube: http://youtube.com/@confidentialKennels