Your Name: Jacqueline Rivera
Business Name
Pawfect Day, Inc.
Type of Business: Pet Care
Business Location: United States
U.S. State: New York
Website www.pawfectday.com
Twitter https://twitter.com/pawfectday
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pawfect-Day/
Reason for starting
The disappointment of working long hours for someone and not being appreciated forced me to look beyond my situation. I was constantly drained and depressed. I had to make a change, so I made the decision of quitting my job of 4 years. Here’s the tough part. I combined my savings, IRA’s and a home equity to start my business.
Biggest Success
Every year we hold a pet food and linen drive to donate to several pet rescues such as: Animal Relief Fund, ASPCA & Growl Rescue. We also participate in the Relay for Life (cancer walk), pet benefits for Stray from the Heart, Animal Haven and more. We are featured in Latina magazine, the WPIX, CRAVE NYC, LatinVision and The Revolution.
What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it?
The biggest challenge has been hiring. The ability to trust that someone else will love this job as much as I do. In my field, we deal with live animals. We are liable for their safety. I run thorough criminal background checks, reference checks and have my Pet Caregivers become Pet First Aid certified.
Who is your most important role model?
My role model is my college mentor Judy Josey. She took me under her wing and adopted me as her daughter. She believed in me and pushed me to graduate. She always dusted herself off and picked herself up.