Meet Yessenia Mendez | Founder of Bark & Purr SoFlo Pet Care Services LLC

We had the good fortune of connecting with Yessenia Mendez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Yessenia, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
From a very young age, I had a passion for animals and always dreamed of working in the pet care industry. Four days into my 19th birthday, I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, and the dream of working with animals was put on the back burner. As a young single mom, taking care of my daughter was my top priority. I worked in different fields and excelled at anything that came my way, but I was never truly happy with my career choices. Fast forward 15 years, I had recently moved to South Florida from New Jersey right before the Pandemic hit. Not the most ideal time to look for a job considering everyone was in the process of losing their own. Completely undeterred from the serious unemployment crisis at the time, I set out to make a living doing something that I absolutely loved and working with animals was it for me. I had a couple of pet sitting clients under my belt that were all thrilled with my work. Smack in the middle of quarantine I signed up to work for several pet sitting companies, but before I had the chance to hear back from any of them, it hit me! “Why am I waiting for someone to give me the opportunity to do this? I can do it myself.” I didnt have an ounce of entrepreneurial spunk in me but I was determined not only to make this work, but to be one of South Floridas best pet care providers. I did all my research, became Pet First Aid and CPR certified, got insured and bonded. And just like that, Bark & Purr SoFlo Pet Care Services was born.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Starting a business in the middle of a pandemic was challenging within itself. To further complicate things, I was relentless in my pursuit to make a living not only working with animals but also aiding essential workers. Some of my very first clients were nurses and doctors. My goal was to give them one less thing to worry about. You go save lives, and I’ll take care of your pup. Aside from tending to their fur babies, I’d do things like wash their dishes or take out the trash. Who doesn’t like coming home to an empty sink, right? It’s the small things that speak volumes of our integrity and work ethic.

Judging by some of the harrowing stories I’ve heard from pet owners and their past experiences, I’d say whole-hearted, genuine care and interest for our clients and their pets is what sets us apart. From sending birthday shout outs on Social Media, to providing emotional support for clients after they received bad news from the vet. I was once hired as a wedding pet chaperone. I was to pick up his doggo and take him to watch his parents get married. I get a phone call from my client saying he forgot his vows at home and needs them in the next 20mins, I was 30mins away. Time was not on my side, but somehow, I was able to get my client his vows. Going the extra mile is understood, we go the extra 3.

We were recently voted Nextdoor’s 2022 Favorite Local Business. News that any business owner would be excited about right? Not me. I was extremely skeptical, thinking it must have been a mistake or one of those “participation trophies.” It took some time but eventually I came to realize that I set out to build one of the best pet care teams in South Florida and this acknowledgement is proof that we are well on our way to making that a reality.

Bark & Purr SoFlo has the extraordinary reputation it has today because we never compromise on the top tier service we provide our clients. Quality over quantity 100% of the time. With that said, building this business is the hardest thing I’ve ever done.

When people hear the words pet sitter or dog Walker, they immediately think “oh that’s easy!” I thought that too, until I was in the thick of it. You are solely responsible for the lives of those adorable little fur balls and all their worldly possessions (including their home). It can be a very dangerous job. I have yet to meet a pet care professional that hasn’t been bitten. I’ve had the misfortune of working with clients that have no respect for me, our team or our boundaries. Burnout is very real and the key to preventing it, is the ability to say, “NO.” It’s ok to say no to clients who don’t value you or the service you provide. I also learned that I couldn’t grow Bark & Purr SoFlo and take it to the next level without help. We are a small team but we pack a big punch.

It’s more than just walking a dog or scooping cat litter. It’s getting your client his forgotten wedding vows, staying up all night reassuring an anxious pup, it’s taking Thumper to the beach even though it’s out of your way and crying alongside clients who’ve had to make the toughest decision a pet owner could ever make. We are there, because we want to be, because they’re family.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would’nt be where I am today if it weren’t for the support and encouragement of my husband, 2 beautiful daughters and my exceptional team of pet care professionals.

Shout out to my 1st clients that took a chance on a brand new pet sitter and to the network of amazing pet care providers I’ve had the pleasure of meeting along the way.

As business owners, I don’t think we give ourselves enough credit. With that said, shout out to me, for having the courage to completely reinvent myself during one of the most uncertain times in our lives. For acknowledging everything that could go wrong, the fear of failure and going for it anyway.

Website: WWW.BarkandPurrSoFLo.com

Instagram: @BarkandPurr_SoFLo

Image Credits
Yessenia Mendez for Bark & Purr SoFlo