I quit an emotionally-draining job and started a dog-walking business. I love being my own boss and finishing work at 4.30 p.m.
Kelsey Clark
- Kelsey Clark became a professional dog walker after she quit a job at a veterinary clinic.
- Her first client was a customer of the clinic who asked her to watch her dog.
- In April 2021, she hired her first contractor after becoming overwhelmed working 12-hour days.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Kelsey Clark, a 29-year-old from Vancouver, British Columbia, about her work as professional dog walker and sitter. It has been edited for length and clarity.
I grew up on a farm — we had horses, pigs, cows, and dogs. I'm very comfortable around all sorts of animals.
I started working at a veterinary clinic in spring 2018. It was quite hands-on, and I got trained to understand different dog behaviors and what to do in emergency scenarios. Every so often, I'd be taught in a classroom for half a day about different pet foods and types of medication. I think that set me up for success.
But the job came with a lot of highs and lows. It was stressful and a lot of work for the pay. You could have just dealt with a dog dying but would still have to put on a smile. I became emotionally drained.
In September 2019, I quit without a plan of what to do next.
It was my last day, and one of the clients asked whether I could watch her dog while she went on vacation to Italy for 2 weeks.
When she came back, she needed a dog walker and asked whether I was available. So I gave it a go.
For a month or so, I had only that one client, and that was a big struggle because it was my only income. I said to myself, "I don't know how, but I'm going to try to make this work."
In October 2019, I met my second client while I was walking a dog in the forest. I registered a company that month too. After five months, I ended up with about 15 clients. I was getting by, but not making enough to save.
When COVID-19 hit in 2020, I had only four left. It started to pick back up in winter 2020.
Eventually, I was working up to 12 hours a day. I had too many clients to handle. I hired my first contractor in April 2021.
By the time I hired that person, I had a network of friends in the industry. We would refer clients back and forth. That's how I filled my first contractor's schedule. When she was at her max, I hired another person.
In contractors, I looked for experience with animals, good communication skills, dog-behavior knowledge, and time-management skills, as well as people who were good in a client-facing role. The number hours they work depends on their availability and what I have for them.
The business grew and grew from word of mouth
Recently, I've found more clients from social media. I follow dog accounts on Instagram, and whenever they post, I comment. We usually have a conversation over direct messages. If they get to a time when they're looking for a dog walker, they think of me.
My usual workday starts between 10 and 10:30 a.m. I pick up all the dogs in my car that live the farthest away from where we're going to walk. Then I pick up dogs who live closer to where we'll be taking our walk.
I have a permit allowing me to walk six dogs at a time — you're not allowed to walk more than six in Vancouver. I think walking more than six dogs at a time can be chaotic and sometimes harmful for the dogs if there's too much stimulation for them.
We go for our walk. Then I do all the drop-offs in reverse order of the pickups. I do that routine twice a day. I'm usually done with work between 4 and 4:30 p.m., but sometimes I don't finish until 7 p.m.
Sometimes I do one-on-one dog walks throughout the week, which I charge more for.
Working up from walking one or two dogs at a time to six dogs wasn't too hard because I had a period when I was gradually able to add more clients to my roster.
My walking schedules are Monday to Friday. I do my administration work on the weekends, usually Saturday, communicating with clients and scheduling.
When people ask me what I do, they think it's a joke or that dog walking isn't a career you can make good money from. Last year, I made six figures in revenue from my company.
I love dog walking, but I've had some negative experiences
While I enjoy walking dogs, I've been in upscale areas and had people yell at me because they think a dog I'm walking is too excited. I'm not fazed because I've read the rules. I know what I'm doing, and I know what I'm not allowed to do.
My favorite thing is not having a boss. I've had jobs that I dreaded going to. Now I have such an amazing clientele and get to interact with owners all the time.
I'm planning to merge my company with a friend's. I'll be stepping back into more of a managerial role, and my contractors will do most of the legwork.
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