Origins of the Idea

During the pandemic, as many pet owners worked from home, Tawil and Fallas observed that their pets were experiencing stress and boredom. With their own dog, Magic, serving as a source of inspiration, they aimed to create a space where pets could socialize and engage in play outside their homes.

Getting Started

To kick off their side hustle, the pair invested in a 1994 Dodge Caravan, which they converted to facilitate dog hikes outside the city. They started by offering door-to-door services, allowing dogs to experience nature away from the urban hustle.

The launch of their Instagram account provided a platform not only for updates to pet owners but also entertained a growing audience of non-pet owners who enjoyed watching the adventures of happy dogs.

Challenges and Growth

Initial Hurdles

One of the early regrets expressed by Fallas was not acquiring separate business phones. Using personal devices led to complications in managing customer communications: “It takes a lot out of us while we field calls,” he noted.

Establishing a Physical Location

After the initial success of their mobile service, they expanded by opening a physical daycare in December 2021. This facility offers canines a vibrant play area featuring jungle gyms, obstacle courses, and dedicated spaces for both dogs and their owners. Maintaining cleanliness and combatting odors in the urban environment proved challenging, but they implemented advanced cleaning techniques and equipment to tackle these issues effectively.

Responding to Emergencies

Tawil recounted a critical moment when a dog experienced a medical emergency while in their care. Thanks to their established emergency protocol, the staff quickly communicated with the pet owner and transported the dog to an on-call veterinarian, ensuring the canine received prompt treatment and made a full recovery.

Financial Insights

Revenue Growth

Happy Tails experienced immediate financial success, with each of their initial vans generating over $10,000 monthly right from the start. After adding their physical location, revenue surged by 120% between the first and second months of operation, positioning them to exceed $2.3 million by the end of their inaugural year.

Daily Operations

Despite leaving traditional jobs, both founders found themselves busier than ever, dedicating substantial hours to managing operations, engaging with customers, and maintaining their facility. Both of them are committed to creating a positive environment where dogs can thrive and owners can connect.

Key Takeaways for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Building Community

Fallas emphasizes the importance of community engagement prior to launching a business. They sold memberships before opening the physical location, generating early revenue and validating demand:

• Connect with your target audience through social media.
• Offer pre-sales of your product or service to mitigate risk.
• Leverage feedback to refine offerings based on consumer needs.

Tawil also highlighted the strategic timing of their launch during winter, addressing the winter blues that many pet owners face regarding pet exercise, ensuring a steady flow of clientele seeking active solutions for their dogs.