Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Meghan Lilly Jones. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Meghan Lilly , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
As a child, I was both an avid animal lover and had a heart for entrepreneurship. I still remember when iPads first came out — I wanted one more than anything. I went to my parents, pleading for a big screen. “It can do anything and everything,” I told them.
My wise parents did something in that moment that would shape the course of my life. They looked at me and said, “You can have it — if you earn it yourself. How are you going to go get it?”
That question lit a spark in my eight-year-old brain. I started brainstorming every possible way to make money while still doing something I enjoyed. Extra house chores weren’t going to cut it — my parents didn’t pay nearly enough for that kind of labor, haha.
Then it hit me: my neighbors. They all knew me, and I knew them. But what could I offer that they’d actually pay for? After my (very serious) “market research,” I realized many of them had dogs — and those dogs needed exercise.
So, my business plan was born. I created flyers and went door to door offering dog-walking services. Before long, business was booming. I had a daily route, knew which dogs could walk together, and which needed one-on-one time. Soon after, I expanded into yard work — weeding, planting, light landscaping — anything a neighbor needed that I could get the okay from my parents to do.
I eventually earned enough to buy my shiny new iPad, but something unexpected happened along the way: I fell in love with the process. The sense of growth, independence, and freedom that came with being self-employed empowered me and gave me agency over my life.
At just eight years old, I learned that if I truly desire something, I can figure out a way to achieve it. I discovered that I think differently — outside the box — and have the drive to turn even the smallest idea into something real.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Meghan Lilly Jones, and I’m the owner, founder, and a caregiver behind NWA Pet Sitting. I launched the company Spring of 2022.
It all began when I started helping a retired family friend with her small “side gig” of pet sitting. Before long, I found my 18 year old self taking on full responsibility for the clients we served. At that point, I faced a decision — to keep the pet sitting as a casual side job or to turn it into something greater. My deep love for animals, paired with my passion for preserving the heart and warmth of Northwest Arkansas, made the choice clear.
I took the leap of faith and NWA Pet Sitting was born out of that love. We’re an in-home pet sitting company offering high-quality, personalized care for the pets and homes of NWA. Our mission is to protect our clients’ peace of mind while they’re away. We ensure their pets stay as close as possible to their normal routines in the comfort of their own homes — while maintaining the highest standards of safety and cleanliness for both pets and property, along with consistent communication through daily updates.
What sets our caregivers apart is our commitment to genuine connection with pets and their parents. We believe in creating honest, lasting bonds so our clients know they can depend on us — whether it’s an extended trip, a last-minute drop-in, or simply needing an extra hand during a busy week. We’re here to support them and care for their hearts and homes.
I’m grateful that our clients trust us not only with their pets but with their peace of mind. NWA Pet Sitting continues to grow with the goal of bringing an even more luxurious, seamless, and personalized service to Northwest Arkansas — one that reflects the love, reliability, and care our community deserves.
We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.
My side hustle has turned into my full-time business. As I started finding my footing as a business owner, pet, and home caregiver, I’ve had plenty of hiccups along the way. One of the biggest has been recommitment.
Being raised in NWA, I had to come to the realization that I was going to fully commit to staying here. As someone who loves travel and culture, I’ve had many moments where I’ve wanted to pack it up and hit the air. But every time, I’m led right back to recommit to NWA Pet Sitting. God likes to remind me that He has a plan and a mission for me to birth and fulfill. I’m here to be His devoted co-creator, so this mission is one I must stick with.
Like many entrepreneurs, I’ve learned that milestones often look like getting over yourself—having the confidence to make that new hire, changing your policy for the third time this year, or facing anything that triggers you to want to pull back. I’ve fallen into those traps more than once, but I like to think of them as character development opportunities.
I’m truly grateful that God has entrusted me with this mission of caring for the women, pets, and homes in my care. I know I’ll always be learning, growing, and getting over myself again and again—but with God on my side, me and my mission stay aligned under His guidance.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I’ve learned so many things doing what I do. I truly feel like choosing the path of an entrepreneur is one of the most growth-oriented journeys you can take. Everything you do, think, feel, and learn is reflected through your business. You heal something within yourself, and suddenly another door opens. You heal a deep-set wound around being seen — and all of a sudden, your business is being featured in Stroll Magazine. Just a few examples ;)
As a fairly independent girl, I’ve had a track record of not always accepting help on the first call — even when I clearly needed to. I bet nobody else can relate, right? But this pattern in me started showing up in NWA Pet Sitting. Eventually, my business grew to the point where I simply couldn’t meet the demand alone. I had a real “come to Jesus” moment realizing I needed help. Help? Accepting help? As an independent female business owner? That was a tough pill to swallow — even harder knowing I’d have to entrust my business, my baby, to others.
But that was a while ago, and that pill has gone down with ease (and plenty of exposure). That lesson has helped me evolve — to educate myself further, strengthen my management skills, and clearly articulate the heart, values, and expectations of NWA Pet Sitting. I’ve learned to equip and empower my team of amazing women with the training, awareness, and integrity that serves NWA.
Every hard pill is just a catalyst for evolution. May I remember that when the next one comes, lol.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://nwapetsitting.net
- Instagram: nwapetsitting
