Today’s Client Spotlight is shining on Hold My Leash and their founder — Deborah Guelfi. Located in the Greater Boston area in Methuen, MA, Deborah and her team pride themselves on setting the standard for professional pet care. That means maintaining your pets’ routine in their own home and surrounding them with familiar sights and sounds all wrapped up in a flexible, reliable service. Check Hold My Leash out on their website or Like them on Facebook!
What caused you to get into pet sitting/dog walking?
Company layoff and no work available. My plan back then was to just keep busy so I started volunteering at a local shelter and just fell in love with being with the animals. It was the start of great things from there. I went to school for dog training, worked with a few dog rescues and just started using my training skills to help several fosters dogs that I had taken in. I wasn’t sure which direction I wanted to go but after having a few clients under my belt and I just love walking each day with them so my heart led me into this business.
What is the most fulfilling part of owning a pet sitting/dog walking business?
Being my own boss. I love having full control and growing this business my way.
What is the most challenging?
Most challenging with owning your business is finding a balance between work and home life. I feel fortunate that my business is so busy and there is plenty of work but I find it a challenge to slow down sometimes. This has always been my biggest challenge — I guess you can say I love what I do too much.
Where do you see your business in 5 years?
I hope to branch out into more towns and just keep growing. I would love to add more services for our clients. We also hope to one day have our own boarding facility.
What has Time To Pet changed the most about how you run your business?
Time To Pet has been amazing. Before using TTP, we were using notebooks for client notes, a planner for schedules and it just didn’t work. I had messages coming in via text, email, voicemail. It just got out of control and I noticed that I just could not relax (always thinking we forgot a client). Once I starting using TTP, my business skyrocketed. It was a total game changer for us. My phone was quiet and I could finally focus and do everything I needed to in one app. Clients love the flexibility of just going on and scheduling their visits and also paying. Honestly could not imagine doing things any other way. TTP has the best customer support and is user friendly for all my clients and my staff I have true peace of mind that walks are completed and invoices paid.
