Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Gallea.
Lisa, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
After graduating from Syracuse University I moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career with a large entertainment firm, a job that I enjoyed very much. But, I felt it would always remain a job. When I brought home Howie (a Pug) and Lucy (a Mixed Breed), I knew my true passion was not sitting behind a desk but, working with animals.
I moved to Miami in 2009 where I started Furry Paws, as a professional pet sitting company. I knew I didn’t want to stop at that. The goal was to open a dog daycare and boarding facility. A year and a half after I started Furry Paws pet sitting I opened Furry Paws daycare and boarding in Wynwood.
After five wonderful years in Miami, I decided to take the same premier services and the same driving force, experience and knowledge to custom-build Furry Paws Fort Lauderdale. After a year of construction, we opened our doors in August 2014.
We take pride in operating a fun, interactive, cage-free doggie daycare and boarding facility.
Has it been a smooth road?
Owning a business is never a smooth road. I experienced many hurdles along the way. When I first moved to Miami and opened Furry Paws, I was new to the City and struggled to build a client base and create a brand for my business. The entrepreneurial drive was there and so, I pushed forward. Everyday I would visit local dog parks, hand out marketing material, talk up the business to whomever I met. I networked as much as possible.
The hard work paid off and I was finally able to open the Furry Paws daycare and boarding facility. However, I would quickly learn that the excitement of my growing business would also come with “growing pains.” With my new brick and mortar location I quickly started to grow faster than anticipated. The need for a larger location to accommodate my growing business became clear.
I had a vision for my next location and searched tirelessly for it. I continuously came up short. For example, zoning can be difficult. Frustrated, I decided if I couldn’t find what I was looking for I would just have to build it. The building process of Furry Paws, Fort Lauderdale was stressful. Trying to juggle a growing business and a full blown construction project was not easy but, just as before, the entrepreneurial drive saw me through. I was excited and determined to bring my dream to fruition.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Furry Paws story. Tell us more about the business.
Furry Paws is a full service dog daycare and boarding facility. We pride ourselves on operating a clean, safe, fun and stimulating environment for the dogs in our care. I always wanted and still want Furry Paws to be a personal experience for our clients. Every client is important and part of the Furry Paws family. Without the support of our clients it simply just does not work. We tend to not to take in as many dogs as our competitors.
Our smaller daycare groups allow for every dog to get the care and attention they require in a safe and controlled environment. Owners have access to their dogs via live webcams, and we are always available for owner’s calls and concerns. We understand that it can be stressful for an owner to give up their best friend for a day or a week and we strive to make that experience as easy as possible.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
The pet industry is growing rapidly and consistently and I believe we will continue to see trends in natural and holistic pet products. We are also seeing a growth in pet service based companies. However, as more pet care products and companies try make a splash in the market we will also see credibility being questioned more so than before.
Servicing pets appears to be an easy thing to do, in reality, its very difficult. In my experience, it does not lend itself to absent-owner structures. It is instead very hands on. I work with our guests nearly every day! Consumers will inevitably sort out their preferred providers.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1241 W Sunrise Blvd
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311 - Website: www.Furrypawsftl.com
- Phone: (954) 760-9051
- Email: info@furrypawsftl.com
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Maggie Sergio
January 31, 2018 at 2:38 pm
Lisa and the whole team at Furry Paws are wonderful! I used them for doggie daycare when I worked in Fort Lauderdale. I always felt confident that my dog was well taken care of. They truly care about their clients, and the dogs in their care.