Today we’d like to introduce you to Alison Dodd.
Hi Alison, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I used to work full time, but it became a real struggle after my second child was born, and would have night wakings every couple of hours. My husband advised me to quit work and that we would figure the rest out later.
I’ve always cared for my own assortment of pets as a hobby, so I started pet sitting part time to make money and keep busy. I quickly realized that working for myself gave me a lot more control over my workload and work/life balance, which is ideal as a mother of little ones. Plus, there is such a demand for reliable, caring pet care, that it’s a great field to work in!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been too difficult for me since I was lucky enough to have my husband’s support while I grew my client base.
One of my biggest struggles is that due to being the sole owner and employee, I don’t have anyone else I can turn to for help. This goes for more complex tasks like registering the business, but also just showing up for clients, regardless of sickness or life events. It’s a big responsibility!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I am a sole owned business that provides pet care to a multitude of animal species. The most common service is drop in pet visits at the owner’s home, which is ideal for older pets, animals with health issues, or those that have had not done well with boarding. I’m proud to say that I have 100 five star reviews, and have never missed a visit in four years.
Something that sets me apart from other pet sitters is my experience with less common species. I live on a 90 acre farm with my chickens and herd of goats, so I often care for livestock at nearby farms. I also offer in home boarding for small animals such as bearded dragons, hedgehogs, and rabbits, to name a few. I’m comfortable with live feeding amphibians and reptiles, thanks to my own pet axolotl, skink, and gecko. I love learning about new species!
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I personally am not a risk taker. I’m very analytical and deliberate, and I prefer to test things on a small scale first. I had another part time job when I started pet sitting. Once I saw that it was feasible and that there was a large demand for my services, I quit the other job, and went all in on the business.
Pricing:
- 30 minute home visit- $22
- Reptile & large rodent boarding- $9 per day
- Small reptiles & small rodents- $7 per day
Contact Info:
- Website: https://alisark.com
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/alisarkpetcare
