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

Hi Keena, thanks for joining us today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

When it came time to name my business, SMR Pet Services, I wanted to pay tribute to the three incredible dogs who ignited my lifelong passion for animals. SMR stands for Snowball, Midnight, and Rocky—my very first dogs, each forever holding a special place in my heart.

Snowball and Midnight, both German Shepherds, were the best Christmas gifts I could have asked for as a child. Snowball was the adventurous white shepherd, and Midnight was the playful tan and black shepherd.They came into my life through a family member, and two years later, Rocky, a lovable black Labrador, joined the pack. We started off fostering Rocky from a family friend, but he quickly became a permanent part of our family.

These three wonderful dogs played a big role in shaping my understanding of responsibility, discipline, and the endless love that only animals can give. They were my truest secret-keepers, always there with unconditional affection, and I could be myself around them without any fear of judgment. Naming my business SMR Pet Services was my way of celebrating the love, loyalty, and joy they brought into my life.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Thank you so much for this opportunity to share a bit more about myself and my passion! I’m Keena McBride, proud owner of SMR Pet Services. My journey into the pet care world started with my love for animals at a young age. I grew up with three amazing dogs—Snowball, Midnight, and Rocky—who became more than just pets; they were family. Their unconditional love sparked my devotion to animals, and naming my business after them felt like the perfect way to honor the incredible bond we shared.

At SMR Pet Services, we live by three key values: Education, Rehabilitation, and Transformation. Our mission is to help build loving, positive relationships between pets and their guardians, making sure both grow, learn, and transform together in meaningful ways.

We offer pet concierge services that take care of all the logistics of pet care—think daily walks, vet trips, grooming appointments, and even administering medications. We handle it all seamlessly, so our clients can spend less time worrying about the details and more time enjoying those precious moments with their furry companions.

Our pet matching service is another one of my personal favorites. We carefully pair pets with families, ensuring an ideal fit based on lifestyle and personality—just like matchmaking, but with four-legged friends! It’s a heartwarming process that brings so much joy to everyone involved.

We also partner with Care STL and other local nonprofits to promote pet adoption and provide valuable resources to help families maintain long-term pet ownership. It’s all about helping as many pets as possible find loving forever homes and giving their guardians the support they need.

In addition to that, we offer etiquette and obedience training. Whether it’s helping a pup learn some manners or teaching kids how to interact with animals respectfully, our programs are designed to instill patience, kindness, and responsibility. Our junior etiquette training class is particularly fun, as we work with children to foster compassion and understanding in their interactions with pets.

Community is a big part of what we do, which is why we have the Animal Allies initiative. We take animals into schools, community centers, and camps to help teach social-emotional learning. The presence of animals has such a calming, positive effect on kids, helping them develop empathy and emotional intelligence in a way that only animals can.

And finally, our Pawsitive Companion program is truly special. We offer short-term pet visits to elderly individuals, veterans, and families, providing comfort and companionship. These visits help ease feelings of loneliness, offer emotional support, and have even proven to be therapeutic, especially for those dealing with PTSD or social isolation.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was my tendency toward perfectionism, which had followed me for much of my life. However, losing my mother in 2024 really forced me to reflect on this mindset. Her passing made me realize that I couldn’t keep waiting for everything to be perfect before moving forward. Perfectionism kept me stuck, always waiting for the ideal moment or outcome that I felt I could control. I wasn’t avoiding tasks—I was afraid of not living up to the impossible standards I had set for myself.

Over time, I realized there’s a significant difference between perfection and excellence. Perfection is a rigid, unreachable ideal that traps you in inaction, while excellence is a journey—one that requires patience, growth, and the willingness to learn along the way. Excellence isn’t about getting everything right immediately; it’s about continuous improvement and doing your best in the moment. This shift in perspective allowed me to move forward, even when things weren’t perfect. Excellence takes time, and I’ve learned to embrace that process.

When I started SMR Pet Services, it wasn’t just about my love for animals—it was about stepping into an entirely new world. Learning the intricacies of the pet industry was both exciting and overwhelming. I had to develop a completely new skill set, learn a new occupation, and navigate the transition into a career that had always been my passion but was now my livelihood. I was learning as I went, and I had to accept that mistakes were part of the journey. This was key in overcoming my perfectionist mindset because running a business—especially in a new field—requires resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to keep learning.

The experience of building this business while managing personal grief taught me the importance of giving myself grace. I didn’t need to be perfect at every step, but I did need to stay committed to excellence. And excellence, as I’ve come to understand, is a long-term pursuit. It’s about showing up, learning from mistakes, and growing, even in moments of uncertainty.

Perfectionism waits for the perfect moment; excellence creates it by taking action, adapting, and learning along the way.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

My management and entrepreneurial philosophy is deeply rooted in my connection to prayer and my faith in God. I’ve made God the CEO of my business, and starting each day in prayer has guided me through the challenges and opportunities that come with running SMR Pet Services. This spiritual foundation keeps me grounded, reminding me to trust the process, walk by faith, and lead with purpose in everything I do.

Another resource that has significantly impacted my thinking is the book “Atomic Habits” by James Clear. This book taught me the power of small, incremental changes and how building effective habits can lead to long-term success. It reinforced the importance of consistency and how focusing on 1% improvements can lead to transformative results over time—an approach I’ve applied not only in my business but also in my personal growth.

“The Five Elements of Effective Thinking” by Edward B. Burger and Michael Starbird has also shaped my approach to problem-solving and decision-making. This book emphasizes the importance of deep thinking, learning from mistakes, and using failure as a stepping stone to success. It has helped me think more critically and creatively about the challenges I face as an entrepreneur.

In the realm of dog training, “BAT 2.0” by Grisha Stewart has been a profound resource. It’s provided invaluable insights into behavior adjustment training, which I apply to help pets and their guardians build trust and stronger communication. This approach has transformed the way I interact with animals and guide others in fostering positive relationships with their pets.

My education through the Academy of Pet Careers (APA) in St. Charles, Missouri has also broadened my skills in pet care and training. The knowledge and hands-on experience I’ve gained there have been instrumental in improving the services offered at SMR Pet Services, ensuring that I continue to learn and grow within the industry.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.smrpetservices.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smr.pets
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SMRPetServices
• Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/keenamsmrpetservices

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