We were lucky to catch up with Yasser Zarroug recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Yasser thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What sort of legacy are you hoping to build. What do you think people will say about you after you are gone, what do you hope to be remembered for?

When I think about the legacy I hope to leave behind, I want it to be one of resilience, determination, and unwavering faith. I’ve overcome some of life’s most challenging obstacles, including homelessness and alcohol addiction. These experiences shaped me, pushing me to build my own business from the ground up. Through it all, I’ve maintained a commitment to living a healthy life, understanding that my physical and mental well-being are crucial to my success.

My journey hasn’t been easy, but it has made me relentlessly determined. I attribute all of my success to Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. His guidance and strength have been my foundation, helping me to stay focused and driven.

People often describe me as a caring and selfless person, someone they can always turn to for support. I take pride in being honest with those who seek my advice, even if it means telling them what they need to hear rather than what they want to hear. I believe in living authentically, not following anyone else’s path but creating my own unique journey.

In essence, I hope my legacy will be a testament to the power of faith, the strength of the human spirit, and the importance of living a life of purpose and integrity.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Thank you for the opportunity to share my story. I’m Yas Zarroug, and my journey has been a testament to hard work, resilience, and the grace of God. I grew up in Minnesota and attended the University of St. Thomas, where I majored in Business Communications and minored in Psychology. My professional career began at Yelp in 2011, where I quickly climbed the corporate ladder to become a top sales manager. However, this success came with challenges, leading me down a path of alcoholism and ultimately 2 years of homelessness in California.

After hitting rock bottom, a suicide attempt led to my hospitalization and a turning point in my life. With six months of sobriety and newfound faith, I re-entered the corporate world but found it unfulfilling. A friend’s suggestion to try dog sitting through the Rover app was life-changing. I discovered a passion for caring for dogs, which led to the creation of my business, Barking Bliss LLC.

At Barking Bliss, we provide top-notch dog sitting and care services, which have earned us a 5-star rating with over 120 reviews in just our first year. Our YouTube channel, which has rapidly grown to 5,000 subscribers, showcases our dedication and love for dogs. What sets us apart is our genuine passion for animals and the personalized care we provide, ensuring every dog feels at home.

I’m incredibly proud of how far we’ve come and the positive impact we’ve made in our community. For potential clients, followers, and fans, I want you to know that Barking Bliss is built on a foundation of love, faith, and hard work. Our mission is to provide the best care for your pets, and we are committed to making a difference in their lives and yours.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

My journey is a testament to resilience and faith. After 13 years in the corporate world, I took a leap of faith to start my own business, only to face an unexpected challenge. My landlord informed me that they were selling the house and I had just 30 days to relocate both my home and my business, which at the time involved boarding 15 dogs. The pressure was immense as I searched over the next month, looking at more than 20 houses and 11 storefront locations without any luck. With only three days left, I finally found a suitable location. Financial constraints meant I couldn’t hire a moving company, so I rented a truck and made over 10 trips back and forth. Despite the grueling process, I managed to move all my personal belongings and the 15 dogs safely. This experience didn’t break my spirit or my business; instead, it reinforced my determination to persevere against all odds, turning a potential setback into a stepping stone for success.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Building my following on social media has been a journey of commitment and perseverance. I dedicated myself to posting three YouTube Shorts every day and made it a point to reply to every comment I received. For the first 11 months, my videos were only getting 10-25 views each, but I didn’t let that discourage me. I kept posting, honing my craft, and staying positive. Around the 12-month mark, things finally began to turn around. We started gaining over 100 subscribers a day, and in the last two months, we’ve received more views and subscribers than in the entire first 11 months combined. My advice to anyone looking to grow their social media presence is to never give up, stay consistent, and be true to yourself.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.barkingblissdogs.com
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHUuf6KIx0rn6im2spnFbRw