Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Khamila Quevedo. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Khamila, looking forward to hearing all of your stories 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
In January 2023, my cousin, Jesus, and I came up with the idea of starting a business that would have a positive impact on the dog care industry. Both of us have been dog parents, so we know what it’s like to leave your dog at daycare or boarding—there’s always a mix of excitement and worry. We wanted to create a place that brought peace of mind to dog owners like us, knowing their furry companions were safe, happy, and getting plenty of exercise and attention.
Our vision was to create a small, intimate daycare and boarding space where every dog could receive specialized one-on-one care. We wanted to make it a place that felt personal and impactful, a space that truly cultivated the sentiment of trust and love.
The first step was to look for a location. We have great respect for other dog daycares and boarding facilities in the area, and we didn’t want to create unnecessary competition. Instead, we saw the high demand—most places were fully booked—and realized there was room for another option.
From January to March, we dove into research. We created a business plan to guide us and talked with mentors in similar fields who could help us navigate the logistics—everything from permits to animal care expectations. We also leaned on family members like my parents, who are experienced business owners, for advice. Jesus has a business background, and I have experience handling dogs, so we combined our strengths and immersed ourselves in learning everything we could to set ourselves up for success.
In April, we found the perfect location. When we signed the lease and prepared to get the keys in May, everything suddenly became real. Up until that point, the stakes felt manageable, but signing the lease made it clear—this was happening.
With the location secured, we tackled the next phase: building the business. We applied for all the necessary permits, designed a logo, commissioned a muralist, and purchased equipment like kennels and play supplies. We also invested in marketing. Both of us have experience in social media marketing, so we launched an Instagram account and began posting to generate excitement within the community.
We worked with Next July Studio to create an incredible website that still draws praise to this day. It gave us a professional platform to share our story and attract customers. At the same time, we were out in the community, handing out flyers and meeting people face-to-face to spread the word.
To build trust with dog parents, we decided early on to focus on transparency and communication. Once we opened, we made it a point to post daily updates on Instagram and Facebook, sharing photos of the dogs in our care. This open line of communication resonated deeply with our customers and became one of the things that set us apart.
Looking back, it felt like building a puzzle. Each piece—research, permits, marketing, branding—came together to form the bigger picture. Creating a business plan was one of the smartest moves we made. It served as our roadmap and kept us organized and within budget during those critical early stages.
We officially opened in the first week of June, and just two weeks later, we hosted our grand opening party. It was a celebration of everything we had worked for, and we invited local vendors to join us, which not only helped increase awareness of our business but also supported our community. All the hard work we had poured into making this dream a reality paid off, and seeing the response from our community was unforgettable.
This journey has been challenging but so rewarding. The process was a mix of big leaps and small steps, but what kept us going was the belief in the idea and the community of people who supported it. We built our business with heart and dedication, and we believe that authenticity is what truly resonates with our customers.
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.
I got into this industry because I wanted to create a safe, fun, and healthy space for dogs where they could thrive while their owners felt guilt-free about being away. As dog owners ourselves, we understand how important it is to know your pet is happy, loved, and in good hands. That’s why we started The Bone Inn—to provide reliable, loving care for dogs while giving owners peace of mind to focus on what they need to do.
We offer dog daycare and boarding services, along with additional options like baths and pick-up/drop-off services. Our goal is to take care of it all so that owners don’t have to worry. Whether it’s a busy workday or a long trip, you can count on us to ensure your furry friend is safe, happy, and well cared for.
The problem we solve is simple: guilt-free dog care. Many pet parents feel anxious leaving their dogs behind, but we make that easier by providing a monitored, fun, and nurturing environment. And what sets us apart is our smaller size, which allows us to focus on specialized, one-on-one attention for each dog. This means every dog gets the care they need to feel safe and happy.
Another thing that makes us unique is our commitment to transparency. Every day, we post pictures of the dogs on social media so owners can see what their pets are up to—whether they’re playing, relaxing, or getting some love from our staff. It’s a simple gesture, but it goes a long way in helping pet parents feel connected and reassured.
What I’m most proud of is the hard work and dedication my team brings to the table every single day. They go above and beyond to make sure every dog in our care feels loved, has fun, and gets plenty of exercise and attention. I’m also incredibly proud of the community we’ve built—both with our clients and the dogs themselves. Seeing wagging tails and hearing from happy owners reminds us why we do what we do.
At The Bone Inn, we’re more than just a daycare or boarding facility. We’re a home away from home for your dog, a place where they can be safe, happy, and loved while you take care of what you need to do.
Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.
Yes, what started as a side hustle quickly became my full-time career. Before launching this business, I was working as an engineering technician at Tesla, which is what brought me to Austin. It’s definitely a complete 180 from what I do now, but I’ve always been passionate about dogs, and when my cousin Jesus and I came up with this idea, it felt like the perfect opportunity to combine that passion with entrepreneurship.
The idea came together quickly, but the process of building the business while working full time at Tesla was intense. I was essentially working seven days a week, splitting my time between my engineering job and the business. Thankfully, I had my cousin and business partner to share the workload with—without him, none of this would have been possible.
We hit several key milestones early on. Securing our location in April 2023 and opening our doors just two months later in June was a major moment for us. We worked tirelessly to get everything set up and running on such a tight timeline. From there, the focus shifted to building trust with our clients and establishing a presence in the community.
One of the things that really helped us scale was transparency—posting daily photos and updates of the dogs on social media became a signature of our brand and something our clients really appreciated. It allowed us to connect with pet parents on a personal level and showed them how much love and care we were putting into their dogs’ experience.
Another major milestone was expanding our team. Hiring and training staff allowed us to grow while still maintaining the personalized, high-quality service that sets us apart. We’ve also invested heavily in marketing, from creating a professional website to partnering with local vendors for events, which helped us build awareness and connect with the community.
Even though I was working two full-time jobs for most of this journey, it’s been incredibly rewarding to see how far we’ve come. Today, this business is not only my full-time career but also something I’m deeply passionate about. I’m proud of the trust we’ve built with our clients, the joy we see in the dogs we care for, and the community we’ve created.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
The most effective strategy for growing our clientele has been building trust through transparency and fostering genuine connections with our community. From day one, we made it a priority to be open and accessible to our clients. One of the ways we’ve done this is by posting daily photos and updates of the dogs in our care on social media. This small gesture has made a big impact—it helps pet parents stay connected, see how much fun their dogs are having, and feel reassured that their pets are safe and happy.
Another key strategy has been word-of-mouth referrals. By providing high-quality, personalized care and going above and beyond for each dog and their owner, we’ve built a loyal client base that frequently recommends us to their friends and family. Happy clients and wagging tails are the best advertisements we could ever ask for! We also ask for honest reviews to increase awareness when we get searched online. Google Ads has been a game changer for us and a great way to get our business on the front lines when potential customers search for dog daycares in the area.
We’ve also invested in building strong local connections. Regularly collaborating with other small businesses in the area has helped us establish ourselves as part of the community. These partnerships not only increase visibility but also create a sense of mutual support and trust.
Social media marketing has been another game-changer for us. By creating engaging and consistent content on platforms like Instagram and Facebook, we’ve been able to reach more dog parents in the area and show them what sets us apart. Our focus on quality branding—like our professional website—has also helped convey the level of care and attention we put into every part of our business.
Lastly, being willing to accommodate our clients’ needs has been crucial. Offering add-ons like baths, pick-up and drop-off services, and customized care options has allowed us to better serve our clients and stand out in a competitive market.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://theboneinn.com
- Instagram: theboneinnatx
- Facebook: The Bone Inn
- Yelp: The Bone Inn
Image Credits
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