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

Cherish, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.

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

My name is Cherish Mullins. I am originally from Columbia, South Carolina. A few weeks after my 21st b-day, I decided to leave home and relocate to Atlanta, Georgia, for a change of scenery. A few months later, I moved again to live with my mom and sister in Charlotte, North Carolina. After working a string of miscellaneous jobs, and not knowing what my next move was, I decided to enroll in the Job Corps program after a coworker told me it might help give me a kickstart. A year or so later, I graduated and became a Certified Medical Assistant. Upon graduating with my CMA (Certified Medical Assitant), I eventually landed an interview as a receptionist with Banfield Pet Hospital. I accepted the job offer and quickly realized that I loved working more hands-on with the animals. I asked to be trained in treatment and patient care, and the rest, as they say is history.

I’ve been in the role of a Veterinary Nurse for almost seven years now and have worked at many different hospitals and love the ins and outs of my job. As a bonus, I get to be surrounded by fur babies daily, and that alone helps heal and keep my heart filled. I lost my beloved fur baby Gentle in March of 2021 at age 13. He was my soulmate or as one would call my “soul dog”. Shortly after his ascension, Gentle urged me in many ways spiritually, to follow my dreams and go into business for myself. I want nothing more than to make him proud and forever honor his memory. I will continue to do that through Gentle Express Grooming & Pet Care LLC. No matter how much I expand, I will never forget the reason why I began in the first place.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I learned from an early age the importance of networking. It’s not always what you know, but who you know. I have kept in contact with most of the doctors and practices that I’ve previously worked with. I like to think that there is not any place that would not open me with open arms if I ever needed one. I always make it a mission to get to know the team, the clients and their fur babies that I work with. Most of the time clients are nervous about leave their fur baby in the hands of a stranger, so it’s my job to make both that pet and pet parent feel safe and know that they are in good hands. Over the years, I have developed many relationships and now have referalls for business and clients I can call regulars. It honors me to be trusted with their continued business and pet care for their fur babies. The opportunities for growth are limitless. Every day a new pet is added to a family, or someone decides to foster an animal. Having a pet is a year-long commitment. These fur babies will need pet care for their entire life, which means long-term clients and connections.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

In honesty, being myself and continuing to naturally build clientele, the more I get to know regular customers during my day-to-day interactions. Whether it be when I’m working at the hospital or out and about. If I am able to extend my help and services in any way, I do so. I have learned to introduce myself to anyone I see with a pet. I see a pet parent as a potential client in need of my services. I also rely on word of mouth, referrals, and social media marketing. I do anything I can do to get the word out there about my business and I intend to continue to connect with more members and pet parents in my community and surrounding areas.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.gentleexpresspetcare.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/cherishjesine_