We recently connected with Ligaya Kelly and have shared our conversation below.
Ligaya, appreciate you joining us today. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?
I am happier as a business owner… most of the time. Recently, I asked myself that very question. I told my son, “Life would be so much easier if I wasn’t the boss.” He then reminded me of how many bad bosses I had in the past. We talked at length about the good and the bad. We both agreed on one thing: nothing is guaranteed. There’s no guarantee that you’ll have your job tomorrow, just as there’s no guarantee that customers will still come to your business.
Being a business owner has shown my kids what it means to work hard and take pride in the results. They’ve had an opportunity that most kids today may never understand. Our business is building a family legacy. Through the good and the bad, we have so much to be grateful for. Now, I have the opportunity to help other small businesses like mine grow and thrive. I work for myself, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Ligaya, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I own a pet hotel in Southern California, which I have been running with my family since 2016, although we have lived here since 2011. We discovered the business opportunity on Craigslist. Initially, we worked for someone else, but we soon realized that we wanted to follow our own vision rather than someone else’s.
With the help of our son and daughter, my husband and I have transformed the business. When we started, the facility had only 12 kennels, but we have since expanded it to 46 kennels. Our capacity has grown from boarding 25 dogs to 75 dogs and 25 cats. We built everything ourselves, and now we also have four outside employees who assist us daily.
Our daughter is currently in school to become a veterinarian, while our son is learning the ins and outs of running the business. We also have two grandchildren who may one day continue the family tradition.
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
When we decided to purchase the business we were working for, we didn’t know where to start. Fortunately, we discovered the Small Business Development Center in our area, where I was matched with a financial advisor who guided us through the process.
Since the business owner didn’t have the necessary tax returns for a standard business loan, we turned to our clients. We identified three clients who might be in a position to help. After presenting our business plan and discussing the amounts, interest rates, and terms, they agreed to lend us the funds.
We had two years to build our business credit and generate the tax returns needed for an SBA loan. After two years of hard work, we succeeded. We applied for an SBA loan, which allowed us to pay off our original lenders.
Since then, we’ve been growing and scaling the business. From our initial offer to refinancing with a traditional loan, the entire process took five years, and it was absolutely worth it.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Long before Will Guidara released his book, *Unreasonable Hospitality*, I believed in always putting the customer first. Unlike companies that offer specials only to new customers, I feel it’s more important to reward my long-time, loyal customers with discounts and special offers. I also see it as my duty to continually learn and share valuable insights with them.
We build our reputation through the following steps:
1. Going Above and Beyond: We consistently exceed expectations by providing personalized services tailored to each pet and owner’s needs.
2. Creating Unique Experiences: We offer special events and customized services that create joyful and memorable experiences for both pets and their owners.
3. Building Relationships: We take the time to get to know our clients and their pets, fostering trust and a strong rapport through open communication and genuine care.
4. Paying Attention to Details: From maintaining a clean and safe environment to offering high-quality products, we focus on every detail that ensures the well-being and happiness of the pets.
5. Empowering Our Team: We train and empower our team to deliver exceptional service, encouraging them to take initiative and make decisions that enhance the customer experience.
6. Providing Consistent Quality: We ensure that every visit meets the same high standards, building reliability and trust with our clients.
By integrating these principles, we not only meet but exceed our customers’ expectations, creating loyal and satisfied clients who appreciate the exceptional care we provide.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bouquetcanyonkennels.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bouquetcanyonkennels
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/226740880690687
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/SCVBCKennels
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/pnBYnUYxz2p_fQd3v8jggg
Image Credits
Ligaya Kelly