We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Eva Leersnyder. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Eva below.

Hi Eva, thanks for joining us today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

After visiting Hawaii in 2022, I decided to move there for a year to experience something new. In May of 2023, my boyfriend, two dogs, and I flew over.

It was a lot of preparation, but we had fun doing it and trusted the process. The move itself was definitely a big risk, and also continuing my dog training in a whole new city from scratch was daunting.

I am so grateful and proud of the experiences I had over there. Being content with who I am as a person and dog trainer allowed me to get clients and help them and their dogs… while also exploring and enjoying the island life.

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

I started my business after training for a year with a dog training business in Nashville.

I loved training dogs since I was younger. I was able to train my first dog, a golden retriever, to be my own diabetic alert dog. We also did agility together.

I now have two other dogs and they propelled me even more in becoming professional.

The idea of running my own business and having the freedom and flexibility to make it into something meaningful is what ultimately gave me the confidence to branch out on my own.

I provide personal in-home training with single lessons as well as packages available. Excursions to parks and stores are also available in lessons. In fact, I have even taken a client to the airport to practice.
I specialize in basic obedience, puppy training, aggression, and fear.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

I had been a vet tech for 5 years until March of 2024, and that really helped me meet people face to face and offer services when their dog would display certain behaviors at the vet. The owners would then go into more detail of behaviors at home and out in public, which would then prompt me to give them my information and a brief description of what I provide as a trainer.

Now that I am no longer in the vet field, it has definitely been trickier; however, putting myself out there like promoting myself as a trainer at my day job, and when I am out in public is now a source for me.
I also go to vet clinics to hand out cards. Recently, I have reached out to some dog friendly businesses as well to start collaborations.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

I am there for my clients whenever they need me. I encourage them to send pictures and videos if they have any questions throughout our training.
Written lesson reviews are also provided after each lesson so they can go back to the email and remember what we practiced, so they can practice it before the next lesson.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://evajanicel.wixsite.com/mixedempire?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaYWmpcjDNOKw5VieiCoxXeJXh2avx1Z0CwopED0dzwgQsWOX4sfILDC_FA_aem_YJx9wQ50FWRnSrJHjjmY9w
• Instagram: Uziandpebbles