Your Name: Julia Pilas
Business Name: Elephant Nose Pet Center, a pet care servie
Type of Business: Pet Product
Business Location: Morristown, New Jersesy, United States
Website www.thecatchitwastecollector.com
Facebook www.facebook.com/pages/The-Catch-It-for-pet-walking/109969262378020?ref=ts
Reason for starting
We are a family owned business. Seventeen years ago I decided to purchase a rundown pet store called the Elephant Nose Pet Center. I knew I was running a risk but because of the love I have for pets it didn’t matter. After 4 weeks and not many customers I decided to take a walk around town to get a feel of the neighborhood. It didn’t take me long to realize Morristown was a town filled with dogs. With that said I went back to my store, pulled down all the fish tanks that had occupied most of our space and proceeded to fill that space with pet supplies & pet food.
How do you define success?
Success for me is the satisfaction you feel when a customer has nothing but appreciation for the job you’ve done.
Biggest Success
Just a few months after we revamped our store and focused on dogs & cats I decided to implement several “Professional Services” namely pet sitting/walking & pet groming. It was the pet walking service that inspired me to invent the “Catch-it.” The Catch it is a pet waste collection device designed to make the pet walking experience a more pleasant one. With the Catch-it you will not have to see, smell or touch the pets waste. I am proud to say my waste collector is one of a kind….no need to bend for collection & it has a light for evening walks. While it took me 3 yrs. to finally receive my patent I am happy to say I now have a Utility Patent that will be mine for the next 20 yrs.
What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it?
As a small Business Owner my biggest challenge has been the changing economy. When a customer looses a job I loose business. Although these past 3 years have been difficult ones we have managed to keep our head above water and our doors open.
Who is your most important role model?
I don’t have any one role model. I do admire all those who work hard and through their efforts become successful, productive & contributing citizens.