We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mandy Welch a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Mandy, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?

I wish I would’ve started my business sooner in life. I was 44 years old when I opened Best Friend Forever K9. I’ve always wanted to work with animals, but didn’t really know that you could make it a real job! I also didn’t have the confidence earlier in my life to do something like this.
When I opened Best Friend Forever K9, I had been working for another company for about 1 year. I realized that I could do this on my own. My husband is so supportive and ensured me that I could do it. And if it’s something that I wanted to do, then just go for it! And here we are!
I started training, with 1 dog in my garage. I later added boarding and 2 training dogs at the same time, with a max of 9 dogs at a time.
I rented my first facility, in a strip mall where I could do one on on lessons, or group lessons with a max of 2 dogs!
Now, my new facility is 6100 sq ft with 3000 sq ft outdoor area. I have a capacity of 80 animals under our roof!
We now offer training, dog and cat boarding and daycare
Starting earlier would’ve meant helping more dogs and families with their fur babies. I would’ve been able to have even more experience at this stage of my life.

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

My name is Mandy and I’m the owner of Best Friend Forever K9 Training. I offer Dog training, Doggy daycare and dog and cat boarding services.
I’ve had dogs my whole life and been training my own dogs since I was about 8 years old. I started professionally training a little over 2 years ago.
When I started, I went to a 21 day training where we worked for 8-12 hours a day learning how to train dogs! I loved this! I learned so many things about training, dog body language and more!
We just opened our new facility in Gig Harbor, WA! It’s a 6100 sq. ft. facility which we are able to have all our services under one roof! We have a huge daycare room, 3 overnight boarding rooms, a huge training area and an area just for my training dogs! We also have a room just for our cats who come to stay!
My training is my passion! I love working with all dogs! From happy go lucky pups, to anxious and dog reactive pups I work with them all!
I have a lot of different options for training!
Group lessons, One-on-one lessons, E-Collar and Non- E-Collar lessons and a 2 week board and train!
Our Daycare is not your typical doggy daycare! We run it as a structured Daycare. So, we have smaller groups, 10-12 max, and we work on basic obedience with your dog throughout the day: come, sit, down, door manners and gate manners. Your dog will love its nap times that are scheduled throughout the day!
We also offer a ton of enrichment opportunities for your pup! Sniff safaris, ball-a-palooza, sniff walks and more!
If you have a dog who’s unsure of other dogs, or just not very friendly towards other pups, we offer one-on-one time for them! They get to come out with our staff and do whatever they’d love to do! Belly rubs, play fetch, just check out all the smells! Whatever floats their boat!
Our boarding is one of a kind as well! Your dog will enjoy its own doggy condo. they will enjoy daycare throughout the day, get lick mats and a bed time treat nightly!
Here at Best Friend Forever K9 we are the most proud of how we treat your pups! While they are here with us, whether it’s for the day for daycare or for 2 weeks for a board and train, we treat them as if they were one of our own personal dogs! We love, care for and treat each dog as an individual. We give each dog individual time, love and treats while they are here!

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

My most effective strategy has been word of mouth. By staying true and honest, the business has grown naturally. By always doing our best work, and trying to do everything absolutely possible to help out, the business has grown substantially. From 1 dog to a capability of 80!

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

Dog boarding was the side hustle to dog training. It has taken off! We are at capacity most holidays, and usually through the summer. By working with our customers needs and wants, and listening to what is important we have been able to grow into what we are today!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bestfriendforeverk9training.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo03LWWmW3-8TUChb3pvUCw
• Yelp: https://biz.yelp.com/home/bwkex_YLcHHiVvnOwARyeg/?utm_medium=www&utm_source=consumer_site_yelp_for_business_dropdown&utm_campaign=claim_business&utm_content=login_to_biz_account_option&fwp=true