Calling all animal lovers in Hampton Roads! Ever wish your furry friend could stay comfy and cozy at home while you're away? Look no further than Count Barkula's House of Meownsters! This July, we're featuring Breezy Robbins, the amazing heart behind this unique pet care service, in our Diverse Hampton Roads Featured Member Spotlight Series – a monthly showcase for subscribed members of our diverse community. Tune in for a heartwarming conversation about Breezy's passion for animals and her innovative approach to stress-free in-home pet care.
Inspired by her lifelong connection with animals, Breezy Robbins founded Count Barkula's House of Meownsters. A pet care service dedicated to providing furry friends in Hampton Roads with loving in-home care. Join us for a heartwarming conversation about Breezy's passion for ensuring pets feel comfortable and secure while their owners are away. Learn more about Count Barkula's House of Meownsters and how Breezy can create a stress-free experience for both you and your pet!
Count Barkula’s House of Meownsters
Business Owner: Breezy Robbins
Type of Business: Pet Care
Location: Hampton Roads, VA
Profile: Diverse Hampton Roads Member Page
What inspired you to start your business? Share your unique vision or motivation.
Animals are a precious part of life and more than just creatures we share the planet with. For many of us, they are part of our families. Sometimes, caring for our family means leaning on our community, and it is my passion to be someone in the community people can lean on to care for their furry, scaly and feathery family members.
How does your cultural background or personal experiences influence your business approach?
Growing up, whenever we went out of town we always had family or friends look after our dog Blue and cat Princess. I never even knew people would board their animals until I was an adult and worked in a vet hospital with a boarding facility. Working there showed me that boarding is not ideal for most animals. Though the workers care and do their best, it is typically an extremely stressful environment that creates more stress than it alleviates. It was then that I began pet sitting to care for the furry family members that were too stressed to stay at the boarding facility, and I’ve now been providing pet care for over 5 years. Being able to provide care, comfort and love for the animals and peace of mind for the humans brings immense joy into my life and comfort to theirs.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced as a diverse business owner and how did you overcome them?
Every business has their challenges, some unique and some very common. As a pet care provider, who is also new to the area, the biggest challenge I’ve faced has been the seasonal nature of the business. Typically the main time for business is summer and during the holiday season, leaving the rest of the year to have minimal need. Being a solopreneur, I’ve chosen to lean into the seasonal nature and build strong relationships with my clients for longevity.
Describe your products or services in a way that showcases your unique perspective or offering.
There are two main aspects to my services that provide my clients and their pets with unique care: my experience in the veterinary field and house sitting. Having worked in the veterinary field for multiple years gives my clients additional comfort knowing I can recognize signs of illness and/or behavioral issues, and take the proper steps to address them. By providing house sitting, it allows the pets to remain in their familiar environment, the humans do not have to plan or pack for their animals and they can have someone to ensure the safety of their home while they are away.
How do you aim to make a positive impact on your community or industry?
My only goal is to demonstrate that community care is the best care. Leaning on each other is not just how we survive, but how we thrive.
What strategies have you found successful in reaching and engaging your target audience?
Using an app to help find new clients, especially in a new area, is a great way to get started. Building relationships with clients not only leads to recurring care but referrals as well.
What resources or support do you think would be most valuable for micro and small diverse businesses like yours?
Education on animal behavior is an absolute must. It’s more than just being able to walk or feed the animals. Understanding the unique ways they communicate will make your experience easier and help create a bond with the animal. The bond you create will help the animal and the human trust you.
What are your goals and aspirations for your business in the coming years?
My goal is to grow my business enough to rely on it while I put myself through grad school for my next business venture.
What advice would you give to aspiring diverse entrepreneurs or nonprofit founders just starting out?
It’s okay when people don’t rehire you. It may feel bad and even be discouraging, but it is inevitable. Keep your focus and don’t give up.
What message do you want to share with the audience about the significance of diverse small businesses or nonprofits?
We need small businesses. It’s how we grow as a community and how we empower ourselves and others. Small businesses rely on community care and community care relies on small businesses. It’s not just how we survive, it’s how we thrive.
From Breezy's boundless love for animals to Count Barkula's delightfully whimsical name, this month's Diverse Hampton Roads Featured Member Spotlight has warmed our hearts with a heartwarming approach to pet care. We delved into Breezy's unwavering dedication to keeping furry friends comfortable and cherished in the familiar surroundings of their own homes. Count Barkula's House of Meownsters offers a loving alternative to traditional boarding facilities. Now that you've discovered this special service, don't forget to share it with fellow animal lovers!
Stay tuned and join us next month as Diverse Hampton Roads introduces you to another remarkable member of our diverse business and nonprofit community. You never know who might inspire you next!
Missed out on our previous spotlights? Discover the inspiring stories of more diverse entrepreneurs in the Hampton Roads area! Read their stories by visiting our blog page: https://diversehamptonroads.com/blog
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