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

Hi Maximilian, thanks for joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

From ages twelve to seventeen I had to wear a full orthopedic bodybrace to help me deal with severe scoliosis. I’m sure you can imagine the social life of a teenager wearing a ‘Frankestine’ suit. Aside from the social aspect, the experience took a heavy mental toll as I was ushered between doctors, X-ray machines, and specialists. It was really tough. I still think the worst part was having to sleep with it on. However, during this whole ordeal, I had two friends who never left my side. My dad’s German Shephard India and my mom’s Golden Retriever Merlin. I get emotional just writing about them so many years later. After being prodded, examined, and covered in plaster to make molds, there was nothing like coming home to their welcome. There was nothing that a struggling young teen needed more than their company and their neverending happiness.

I’d like to think it’s pretty obvious why my mission today is to help people receive the same level of companionship. I know the incredible effect it can have.

Maximilian, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hi, my name is Max and I’m a dog trainer. About eight years ago I realized that I could be of immense service by training dogs to become great companions to their owners. Since I started I’ve studied with some of the top trainers in the US and Canada pursuing excellence in my field. The hundreds of recommendations and reviews online tell me it’s going pretty well. I love that this is how I add value to the people I meet.

I got into the industry almost by accident. I had done all the things I was told to do. Get into college, get good grades, do the internships, go to grad school, and get a good job. But, when I got to the end of the rainbow there was no pot of gold. Actually, it was very disappointing. I didn’t feel fulfilled at all and there was no way I was going to spend most of my adult life feeling the emptiness. So, out of desperation I threw out everything I knew about job hunting and thought to myself, ‘If work sucks, where would you like it to suck?’. And the answer was…with dogs. Just a note that I no longer feel that way. These days I cannot wait to go to work. Anyway, so I searched for dog training places in LA that had a master trainer as the owner. There are very few of those. Luckily, I got a job in one of them as a kennel assistant and I’ve never looked back.

I specialize in three things. Puppy training, obedience training, and behavior modification. That last one usually means helping reactive/aggressive dogs or dogs that suffer from severe anxiety.

There are several things that people really like about working together. That I start most people at their homes, that I work one-on-one so I can specialize the training plan or that because of the wonderful reviews they know their money will be put to good use. However, I think that what sets me apart is how much I train the humans. I always tell people I train fifty percent the dog and fifty percent the owners. After all, if I can get the dog to do something but you cannot, then what’s the point?

I am very proud that owners and I have been able to turn around dogs that had already gone to boot camps or were seen by three or four other trainers. This has happened many times in the past.

If you’re like me then dogs are like family. That’s what I’d like people to know about my brand The Max Dog Trainer.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I originally came to Los Angeles to get an MFA in film production. After graduating I was getting jobs in the entertainment industry and in tech. Jobs that look great on paper and the jobs that make parents very proud. However, no matter how many people congratulated me I knew my heart wasn’t in it. To make matters worse I had taken out all these student loans! I didn’t start working with dogs until I was thirty years old. There definitely was pressure to pick something. I’m so glad I didn’t. So, so glad. I remember one day, going to work, and imagining someone hitting my car. Only so that I would have a good excuse to not go to work. This may sound familiar to some of you. Once I started working on something that inspired me my life started turning around. I wasn’t so tired all the time. I did feel like getting out of bed. It was great to know that there was nothing wrong with me. I now tell people, who ask me, to take as long as they need to, to find something that clicks for them. Then they can learn how to monetize it later.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

I love this question. It reminds me of the story about a guy who decides he wants to sell antique furniture. So he rents a great spot in a beautiful part of town. Then he travels to France and Italy to get some of the best antiques he can find. Gets a good amount of things to sell and even gets an espresso machine to have in his store. And then he opens his doors for business. In this story the person goes bankrupt and then tells everyone that being an entrepreneur doesn’t work.

Unless you have a very specific idea in mind I would recommend the aforementioned gentleman to try and sell one piece of furniture. As he does he will learn about marketing, sales, and negotiation. He will start learning who is his demographic and what they are looking for. He will also make mistakes and learn about exporting and importing. Every time he does something new, it will take longer and be more expensive than he thought.

After he sells one thing I would ask, can you sell two? Then three. Can he get to the point where his apartment is so full of things to fulfill back orders? Then, when the demand for his service is at this point he should open I store. And, he can use the money he is making to set it up, instead of having to borrow.

I share this story because I have met countless entrepreneurs, including myself, who started with this method. I hope it helps.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.themaxdogtrainer.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maxdogtrainer1/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMaxDogTrainer
• Other: For recommendations and reviews NextDoor; https://nextdoor.com/pages/the-max-dog-trainer-los-angeles-ca/ Thumbtack: https://www.thumbtack.com/ca/culver-city/dog-training/max-dog-trainer/service/354928780912582677