Check Out Zack Humphreys’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Zack Humphreys. 

Hi Zack, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My interest in business and financial savviness began when I was in school, after my family inherited a small fortune. Within a couple years, it was gone. We went from having it all to not even knowing if there would be food on the table. This contrast made me realize how important financial stability is to being able to provide for my family. To learn more about this I sought out mentors. 

At age 19, while with one of my mentors, I found out I wanted to own my own business. I worked at various companies to learn more about business and management. As a salesman, I fell in love with helping people through offering solutions to different problems in their lives. At the same time, I also observed business practices I didn’t care for. Using this knowledge and newfound passions, I started Perfected Canine Obedience. Leading up to this I studied with some of the best trainers in the Cincinnati area. 

Of all the services that could be provided, I found that alleviating stress in people’s family lives was the most fulfilling, possibly because of the family stress in my household growing up. Dog training combines my passion for dogs and my passion to help families. What started off as three clients a week has grown to doing four a day. Last year I also started a fitness business, going through with my other passion for fitness. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road. In elementary school, it was discovered that I have a learning disability. I was held back a grade and was bullied tremendously my whole life in school for that disability. As mentioned before my family also went through financial turmoil while I was in school. It didn’t help that my performance in school led to my family and teachers doubting my future. 

I once had a teacher tell me my goal of becoming a doctor or lawyer was unrealistic and that I should aim smaller. Perhaps he was right. After dropping out of college, I hopped from job to job, learning the ins and outs of business before starting my own. In the end, it didn’t matter what my teacher thought. I made six figures in a year for the first time when I was 23. My mentors showed me different sides of business, which helped me find what I wanted to do and overcome the hurdles. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We work in dog behavioral training. I am most known for helping families with their dogs. I’ve worked with cases that others believed to be too far gone. Through addressing multiple points of improvement, I was able to completely turn the dogs’ lives around and their families’ lives. 

It is also what sets us apart from others. We don’t just teach dogs to sit and do their business outside. If the client wants or needs it, we go in-depth and assess all the aspects of the dogs’ situations. We go into behavior and obedience, but also the dogs’ diet and equipment used to solve different issues. Instead of just getting the dog to behave, we also look out for the overall health and wellbeing of all our clients’ dogs. 

Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I believe taking risks can pay off. Young people should not be afraid to take risks. All they need is to not be scared to fail. Taking risks and failing while you’re young is how you learn to pick yourself back up. 

One early example that comes to mind is when I bought my first brand new car at age 19. It was a huge risk and honestly was a terrible idea. Despite the financial hit, I learned my lesson and worked hard to pay it off. And in the end, it became the start of my line of credit, so it ended up paying off. 

Another was dropping out of college. It was scary at first, but in the end, it paid off. I learned way more about business on the job than I could’ve in the classroom. Devoting my life to work and starting my own business was the biggest risk I took. Thanks to all the hard work I put in, it ended up paying off. 

Contact Info:

• Email: zackhumphreys@aol.com
• Website: https://perfectedcanineobedience.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perfectedcanineobedience/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/perfectedcanineobedience
• Other: https://pco.daostrategics.com/home 

Image Credits
Tommy Tran
Gabrielle Bui