Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Dively
Hi Brandon, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was working in a corporate sales role in Phoenix, AZ when I became a RunBuddy Mobile client myself. Coming from an animal welfare background, I wholeheartedly believed in the service and their mission. After about a year I jumped ship to join the team myself. RunBuddy quickly became a part of my identity and I found myself playing an important role in recruiting and training new coaches.
Just over a year ago my family moved to Round Rock from Phoenix to prepare to launch the first RunBuddy Mobile franchise, serving the Austin area. While there have been a few setbacks, we are ready to launch as we roll into 2025. Since landing in Williamson county, we have become very involved in groups like Keep Hutto Beautiful and the Hippo Social Club. I am thrilled to share our service with local shelters and rescues as well as dog lovers in Travis and Williamson counties.
Once the first dog gym rolls out in the area the plan is to quickly add another to expand our shelter and rescue network and be available to more families in the area. I am actively working to prepare for our launches in other Central and Southeast Texas markets as well. By summer we should be able to launch at least one dog gym each in Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
When it comes to being the first to do anything, I don’t think you know what struggles to expect, as you’re the one carving the path. I am incredibly grateful for the lessons we have learned and while I know the future will have its share of bumps, I’m glad we learned some of the lessons when we did.
For example there was a major hang up in the development of our mobile app. While we were very excited for the app to be a part of the first franchise launch, there came a point where we had to decide if waiting for it to be finished was worth delaying the launch further.
When it came down to it, we knew that the app would be fun and convenient, but it isn’t required to deliver the RunBuddy experience. We decided to accept that despite the time and money already dedicated to it at this point it was best to put that aspect on the back burner and focus on tying all the other pieces together.
When it comes to the designing and assembly of the custom engineered treadmills… I’m just glad we don’t have to learn those lessons twice.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
RunBuddy Mobile is the world’s first and number one mobile dog gym service, serving the Phoenix area for nearly a decade. Our vet and trainer endorsed mobile service brings an exciting and engaging physical and mental outlet to your dog. Our climate-controlled mobile dog gyms are Mercedes sprinters with 4 custom-engineered non-motorized, self-propelled dog treadmills. From weight loss to injury rehab to overall health and wellness maintenance we help dogs of all ages, breeds, dispositions, and physical limitations. My personal specialties are working with wildest doggy daycare dropouts, dogs with bite histories (whether they’re anxious and reactive or truly aggressive), and extremely shy/nervous/fearful dogs.
A portion of every run is donated back to helping run dogs for our shelter and rescue partners each week. The name RUNBuddy can be misleading as some dogs never run at all. For some dogs, just getting into the van and standing on a treadmill can be an exercise in confidence building and a much needed break from even the nicest shelter environment. While the journey from a two person small business to franchising the concept nationwide has been everything but simple & seamless, it’s been worth it. Witnessing the impact we have made in the last 8 years in Phoenix is what has motivated me to bring RunBuddy Mobile to the great state of Texas.
While not everyone becomes a weekly RunBuddy client, it is my hope that they can become a RunBuddy advocate. After witnessing the level of care our coaches put into working with both ends of the leash, I hope dog owners feel armed with the necessary knowledge to confidently share our purpose with others.
Even if they can’t fit it into their own schedule or budget, we aim to deliver such a stellar experience that they will recommend us to other dog owners in their lives.
My goal is for everyone to walk away from their first RunBuddy experience with a better understanding of their dog, a new piece of knowledge, or, at the very least, a fun, memorable story.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Not at all dog related, but my grandpa used to take the “scenic route” driving me to hockey practice. We’d have to leave early, get passed by every other car, but we always got there on time. I remember feeling so frustrated and annoyed at the time and thinking he was nuts for not taking the fastest route. While I’ve yet to completely rule out the fact that he may just be nuts, I at least now recognize the value in taking your time and enjoying the view when you have a chance.
Pricing:
- $65- 1 Dog Weekly (30 min)
- $80- 2 Dogs Weekly (30 min)
- $90- 3 Dogs Weekly (30 min)
- $95- 4+ Dogs Weekly (30 min)
- $90- Shelter/Rescue Rate (60 min)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://RunBuddy.com
- Instagram: @RunBuddyMobile & @RunBuddyAustin
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/RunBuddyMobile
- Other: https://TikTok.com/RunBuddy
