We were lucky to catch up with Cherish Jesine recently and have shared our conversation below.

Cherish, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Often the greatest growth and the biggest wins come right after a defeat. Other times the failure serves as a lesson that’s helpful later in your journey. We’d appreciate if you could open up about a time you’ve failed.

Absolutely. Honestly, I’m in it right now. This isn’t a story I’ve already overcome—it’s one I’m still navigating. I’m still learning how to breathe through the highs and survive the lows. I’ve been spiraling, questioning everything—my stability, my purpose, my strength. Mentally, it’s been one of the hardest seasons of my life. Some days I wake up ready to fight. Other days, it takes everything in me just to get out of bed.

I lost a job that meant a lot to me. I felt like everything I had worked so hard to build—financially, emotionally, even spiritually—was slipping through my hands. People I loved fell silent. I felt invisible and unsupported. It broke me in ways I’m still trying to understand.

But I made a choice: if life was going to break me, it was also going to build me.

I started walking trails every day, getting back in the gym, and using movement to process what I couldn’t always say out loud. I poured energy into my pet care brand, Gentle Express Pet Care, as a way to not only create income—but to keep a piece of my passion alive. I leaned into content creation, shared pieces of my journey, and slowly began building a new path, even while parts of me still felt lost.

I’m not on the other side yet. I’m not “fixed.” Today is a high, but tomorrow might not be. And that’s okay. What matters is that I’m still here. Still choosing to show up. Still believing—on my worst days—that something beautiful can come from this.

Failure hasn’t defined me. It’s just revealed parts of me I didn’t know existed.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

i, I’m Cherish—an experienced veterinary professional, medical groomer, content creator, and the founder of Gentle Express Pet Care. I’ve spent nearly a decade in veterinary medicine, working hands-on in both general practice and urgent care settings. My time in the field has shaped me into someone who not only understands animal health and wellness, but also how deeply pet parents value compassion, trust, and clear communication when it comes to their fur babies.

My journey into entrepreneurship began when I realized there was a gap in care for pets who needed gentle, medically-informed grooming—especially those with anxiety, skin conditions, or special needs. That’s where Gentle Express was born. I offer medical grooming services, including ear cleaning, sanitary trims, anal gland expressions, paw fluffing, and more. I also provide pet sitting and in-home care that prioritizes each pet’s comfort and emotional safety. And while I’m not currently offering full haircuts, my services are focused on maintaining cleanliness, wellness, and peace of mind for both pets and their people.

But my work doesn’t stop at pets. I’m also building my brand around storytelling, healing, and empowerment—using my platforms to connect with people who are navigating life transitions, self-discovery, and resilience. Whether it’s through content creation, behind-the-scenes videos, or my upcoming podcast, I want my audience to know that growth doesn’t always look perfect—but it’s always worth it.

What sets me apart is my compassionate approach and the intentional care I bring to everything I do. Whether I’m handling a nervous senior dog or speaking to someone going through a hard season in life, I show up fully. I’m not just in business—I’m in service.

I’m most proud of the fact that I’ve turned what felt like personal breakdowns into breakthroughs. I created a business from scratch, started telling my story out loud, and kept going even when life got heavy. I’m still growing, still learning, and still showing up with love, grit, and purpose.

If you’re a pet parent, a dreamer, a creative, or someone just trying to figure it all out—there’s space for you in my world. Gentle Express isn’t just about pet care. It’s about being gentle with yourself, too.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

One of the most defining moments in my journey was losing my job in veterinary medicine—something I never saw coming. I had built nearly a decade of experience in the field, pouring my heart into every patient, every shift, and every client conversation. So when I was suddenly let go, it wasn’t just about income. It felt like I had lost a piece of my identity.

To make it harder, I didn’t have a backup plan. My bills were real. My confidence was shaken. And the support I expected from certain people never came. It felt like the rug had been pulled from under me, and I was free-falling.

But here’s where the resilience comes in: I didn’t quit on myself.

I decided to pour into my business, Gentle Express Pet Care, and gave the rest to God. I poured everything I had into being gentle—with myself, my healing, and my faith—and I trusted that something better was coming, even when I couldn’t see it yet. I focused on serving pets and their people in a way that felt intentional, compassionate, and fully mine.

In time, I found an even better position—one that was more aligned with my goals and allowed me the full flexibility I needed to truly thrive.

What I’ve learned is this: resilience doesn’t always roar. Sometimes it’s quiet, sometimes shaky, and sometimes it means just putting one foot in front of the other. That chapter cracked me open—but it also revealed a version of me I didn’t know existed. I’m still growing, still building, and still trusting that every setback is just setting me up for something greater.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Some of the most important pivots I’ve made in my journey weren’t just about my career—they were about saving my health and protecting my peace. Over the years, I’ve had to make the difficult decision to step away from positions that, on the outside, looked stable, but behind the scenes, were slowly breaking me down.

At first, I ignored the signs. I kept pushing through the stress, the long hours, and the constant pressure to be “on.” But eventually, my body and mind started sending alarms I couldn’t ignore anymore. I began experiencing anxiety attacks. My blood pressure, which had once been under control, spiked dangerously high. I found myself in a dark mental space I hadn’t visited in years—exhausted, disconnected, and making frequent trips to the doctor just trying to keep it together.

I realized that no job, no title, no amount of loyalty was worth losing my health over.

I made the painful but necessary decision to walk away from roles that were no longer aligned—not because I wasn’t capable, but because I needed to live. I had to choose myself. And then came the job loss I didn’t see coming—the one that shook my world unexpectedly. It hurt, but in some ways, it also validated the silent battles I had been fighting for too long.

In that space of uncertainty, I pivoted again—this time toward deeper healing. I poured into my business, Gentle Express Pet Care, using my passion to stay grounded. I reconnected with my creative work and started rebuilding a life based on purpose and not pressure.

Today, I’m not just focusing on my business growth—I’m focusing on my personal health first. My mental and physical well-being are now my top priority, even over entrepreneurship. Because I know firsthand that success means nothing if you’re losing yourself along the way.

Through it all, I’ve learned that pivoting isn’t giving up—it’s choosing to survive, heal, and eventually thrive. And that’s a decision I’ll never apologize for.

I’m proud of the woman I’m becoming, not just because of what I’ve built—but because of what I’ve survived.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.instagram.com/gentleexpresspetcare_/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/cherishjesine_
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1055163752
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherishjesine/

Image Credits

Ariel Von Photography