An interview with young entrepreneur Carley Buck of Carley’s Dog Care.
Describe your business.
Carley’s Dog Care provides personal one-on-one care for your dogs. I offer at-home overnight dog sitting that allows your dog to stay in the comfort of their home while you’re away. Along with dog walking, I also offer pet portraits and many more services to cover all your dog care needs!
What brought you to the region?
I grew up in the Bay of Quinte.
What makes the Bay of Quinte a good fit for your business?
One of the best things about the Bay of Quinte is the beautiful landscapes. All of the trails and conservation areas are perfect for walks and hikes, which makes it that much more enjoyable for me and the dogs. The beauty of the BoQ also makes the perfect backdrop for pet portraits!
What was the hardest thing about starting a business?
The fear of failure. The risk of starting your own business can be intimidating but it is very satisfying when you overcome that and work at something you love and you created.
What advice do you have for entrepreneurs in the area?
Learn from the best and don’t be shy to reach out to the people that have been successful in your field. It’s so easy to connect with people on social media, so reach out to the people you look up to and ask questions. If I was having trouble mastering something with my photography, I would go to photographers I look up to and ask them for input. So many people are willing to help out and share their knowledge.
What surprised you about starting a business in a smaller community?
I would have to say how closely knit the community is. Everyone is more than willing and excited to share your business with their friends and family. I started out having a few clients and now I care for their neighbour’s, friend’s and family’s pets as well. It’s encouraging to see how supportive the community is.
Describe your perfect day off.
A perfect day off would be 26 degrees and start with a morning at Sandbanks. The afternoon would be spent exploring PEC with my camera and finding yummy local places to eat. Then ending the day with a movie at home (with lots of snacks). Pretty much any day eating great food and creating art is a perfect day.
What’s your secret to surviving winter?
Dress for it and embrace it! I love hiking in the winter because there are no bugs! It’s a great time to get outside with the dogs; they love the snow, so it’s fun to watch them enjoy the winter.
If you had to have one word tattooed on you, what would it be?
Joy. It’s my grandmother’s favourite word.
Check back with us as we discover more BoQ Young Entrepreneurs.
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