We were lucky to catch up with Nicole Robertson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Nicole , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So, one thing many business owners consider is donating a percentage of sales or profits to an organization or cause. We’d love to hear your thoughts and the story behind how and why you chose the cause or organization you donate to.

Prior to starting my business, community giveback/ volunteering has always been a passion of mine. I wholeheartedly believe in investing/ giving back to where you live – there is no better feeling when you do. I have always had a soft spot for animals and I truly admire the staff and volunteers at two local animal shelters – BARCS (Baltimore Animal Rescue & Care Shelter) and the SPCA of Anne Arundel County. Their staff and volunteers are truly local hero’s; they care so deeply for all of the animals that arrive at their door regardless of the circumstances. The work they do can be emotionally, mentally, and physically draining, and at the same time so rewarding. They advocate endlessly for the animals that are in their care and are dedicated and committed they will find a loving forever home. I have had the opportunity to donate lunches to their staff and also participate at BARCS “Dogs day out program” where you take a shelter dog out for a day out, giving them a much needed break from the shelter and also exposure to get adopted. I also do give donations in form of a check which helps both organizations help care for the animals in their care while they await their forever home.

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

I started dogsitting in college just as a way to make some extra money and hangout with dogs! Once graduating college, I still would dog sit on the side/ when I had the availability to outside of my 9-5 job. Fast forward to Spring of 2021, I was at a job that I did not love, the work environment wasn’t ideal, I felt myself falling into a mild depression with how unhappy I was. I had to start dog sitting while working my 9-5 job to make ends meet due to the pay being so low. During this time, I was thinking of “what next” because I knew I couldn’t stay at this job forever. In April of 2021 with dogsitting just on the weekends, I was able to bring in a little more than half of what I made a month at my 9-5 job in a month and thats when I really thought of “wow, this has been my “side hustle” for so long, why not maybe make this my full time job”. I continued dog sitting in May / June of 2021 and was still making a little more than half of what I making a month at my 9-5 job and was like “yeah this is it, I am going to start my own dog walking/ sitting business”. My last day at my 9-5 was July 30, 2021 and my first day in business was August 4, 2021. I remember thinking the month of July when I was thinking of my business name, doing market research, etc how I didn’t second guess myself/ the decision I was making. I was so lost and unhappy at my 9-5 job and kept telling myself that if my new business doesn’t bring in the money it needs to, I can always do something part time to help… and the universe had a plan for me, since starting my business in August of 2021, every month I have minimum made double of what I did at my 9-5 job and some months have tripled that. I started getting new clients social media, marketing, and through referrals which in my opinion is the most rewarding type of referral and I just thought to myself “I am really doing this”. I was doing something I was passionate about, meeting new clients, and slowly coming out of the funk I was in. I always say I have the best clients out there, and I really do. Most of my clients come by referral, which as I stated earlier, I think it is the most rewarding type of referral – knowing that my clients have trust in me with their fur babes while they are at work, out of town, etc. truly means so much. I always say what I do isn’t “hard” but it takes the right person to do this job. While it’s amazing having some cute and cuddly co-workers – a lot goes into it. I pride myself on my reputation and promise I make to my clients that their pets will be cared for, loved, and safe while they are in my care. My clients know when hiring me I wouldn’t be out of their home all day when overnight sitting nor brining people into their home while they are away, I honor their privacy and my top priority is making their pets safe while they are gone. I am very honored to have earned the trust from my clients and continue to provide the best pet care to their fur babes while they are at work or out of town.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

For me, I think just staying true to myself and my core values and let my work speak for itself. Prior to working with any client, I do require a meet and greet, and it always makes me blush when I go to a meet and greet and hear “we have heard amazing things about you/ your business” or “we know Joe Schmo and they say wonderful things about you”. I do believe your people/ clients will always find you and on the backside of that, I do also believe that you and not for every client and every client is not for you and that is more than ok! This is where I think the power of community and networking comes into place. Shortly after starting my business, I connected with another small business owner who owns a pet care services and her and I started bouncing referrals off each other ex. if one of us didn’t have availability, or out of town, or the client was outside of our service area. Then her and I met two other ladies who also have their own pet care service business and we all network together. We have a group chat called “Doggo Therapy” and I am forever grateful for these ladies. While we are “competitors” we have never fought over clients, rather, we are a support system for each other and also help each other out with bookings, business stuff, and anything else! By having three solid referrals who I know personally and go above and beyond in their work, I feel some comfortable referring them to one of my clients knowing they will provide the best service.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

So I am currently pivoting in my business, career, and life! I am relocating to Miami Beach this August and will be starting a new career as a house manager/ personal assistant and it has been very emotional and exciting ride. These past three years have truly been so beautiful, I have learned so much and rode so many high and low waves that come with being a small business owner and I would not trade them for the world. With starting this new chapter in Miami, I am going to miss my clients like crazy- the commitment, love, and support they have shown me is out of this world and I own them all a lifetime of gratitude. Going back to my core values of sense of community and how lucky I am to have met my “doggo therapy” ladies, it makes me so happy that I know my clients will truly be in the best hands with these ladies.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: thewalkandstaywoofpack
• Facebook: The Walk and Stay Woof Pack