Pandemic Pushed me to it

I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit. Big Dreams and quite frankly a lot of them! Just no idea how to get them….

At 24 years old, I became a supervisor for a large discount retail store and moved from rural Granville county to the city of Durham. The job was hard but, I learned a lot running the back end of a store. Prior to that, I had spent two years working for a pet retail store as a Trainer and a Care associate. These roles helped develop my work ethic and expand my animal knowledge. Unfortunately corporate America, especially retail, will burn through your compassion and mental health. I knew I couldn’t stay there forever.

March 2020 Coronavirus hits and the state goes on lockdown. My company furloughs everyone. They did pay out our vacation and sick time while we wait and hope unemployment or a stimulus. I’m a millennial living paycheck to paycheck. I was so fortunate to be able to have enough income to pay my rent and not stress. I already knew I wanted to quit my full time job and I had a part time job as well. One month at home alone with my thoughts to really think about how I was going to change my life.

By the time we returned to work, I had already started working gig apps like DoorDash, Wag, and Rover. I told my boss I wanted to go down to part time. So now I had 2 part time jobs and gig work. Fast forward to August 2020 and I had quit that job altogether. Fast forward again to April 2021 and I had quit the original part time too! Dog walking was now my business and I was making ends meet AND HAPPY!!

As we approach the 2nd anniversary of Pet Sitting/Dog Walking and the 1st anniversary of being 100% self-employed, I am taking it off the apps and getting legit! It’s been a journey but, I am grateful the pandemic pushed me to it.

First, think. Second, believe. Third, dream. And finally, dare.

- Walt Disney