Animals And Entrepreneurship: Two Great Changes, One Road To Navigate

Thousands of businesses are started annually, and more than 3.2 million animals are adopted from shelters every year. With high numbers like this, there is no doubt some overlap. If you’ve found yourself in the position of launching a new business and becoming a pet parent all at the same time, then Spiritpet Urns invites you to keep reading for tips on how to make an easy transition.

Taking Care of Business

Even if you’ve been an entrepreneur before, it pays to revisit the process. As a new business owner, one of your first steps is to get your company set up as a legal entity. If you don’t know how to register a business, spend some time revisiting local laws.

Now, it’s time to think about how you will handle your new responsibilities as a pet owner while also taking care of your new business. Start by looking for a pet sitting service that can help you keep your pets safe and active while you work. Many services can come to your home or office to take your pet for a quick walk so that you don’t have to. If you do choose to keep your pet at the office, make sure that you have the gear and supplies you need to keep your animal happy. This should include a safe and comfortable crate, food and water bowls, treats, and a leash.

If you work from home, make sure that your office—and your entire house—is ready for a new pet. This may include decluttering the space to ensure your new companion doesn’t accidentally eat something they shouldn’t, including power cords and computer cables. Not only will decluttering help you keep your friend safe and sound, but it will also make you feel better. Living and working amongst clutter is known to cause stress levels to rise, which, in turn, can make your pet feel anxious and scared.

Another tip here if you are leasing a space: confirm that the landlord allows dogs on site. This is not a problem if you work from home or own your own building, but, ultimately, having an animal in the building is a liability that your landlord may not be willing to take on.

You don’t want any surprises from your pet or your company, so make sure to invest in invoicing software for small business. This will help keep your billing on track, so you can keep your pup plied with treats.

Bonding Over the Boardroom

Although you will no doubt have to channel some of your time and energy into your business, the early days of owning a pet are crucial to your relationship with your animal. Even if you don’t have hours each day, there are still activities you can do to bond. Bil-Jac dog food manufacturer recommends establishing a routine, playing together, and being a consistent communicator.

You also want to keep a few fun gadgets on hand so that you can interact with your dog while you’re also focusing on work. A few examples include an automatic feeder, a smart pet cube (which allows you to communicate when you are not together), and even an automatic puppy trainer that encourages Bowser to handle his business in the appropriate spot.

When ‘Bring Your Dog To Work Day’ Is Every Day

Great, so you know you want to bring your pet to work and you’ve confirmed that you can do it. You’ve also invested in things to keep your dog safe, healthy, and happy during office hours. But, there are still a few things that you want to keep in mind so that your PEO (Pet Executive Officer) gets along with your other employees. This includes:

• Keep them groomed.
• “Dog proof” your workspace by keeping trash and other dangerous materials off the floor.
• Allow your workers to bring their own well-behaved animals with them as well.
• Never bring your dog if they show signs of illness.
• Be mindful of those who are fearful of pets.
• Complete a training course to ensure your dog can handle the basics of obedience, especially when around other people.

It may be worthwhile to create an infographic about your pet to post. It's easy to create an infographic; you can quickly customize one online. You can fill it with facts about your pet, as well as any need-to-know information about allergies and the like.

Both starting a new business and adopting a pet are life-changing events. And each requires your time and attention. When you can’t (or don’t want to) delay either, you’ll need to make sure you can handle both with grit and grace. Remember, outsource parts of their care when needed and make sure that you can have an animal on site. However, more important than any of the advice above: be patient. Entrepreneurship and pet ownership are stressful, and you won’t do anyone any favors if you constantly lose your cool.

Spiritpet Urns, is a small business started in 2015 by owner Mary Jane Panebianco. I have worked in a retail environment most of my life. Over 25 years in the jewelry industry and in the American Craft Industry.

For more information, please visit my website or contact me today!