Today we’d like to introduce you to Madeleine Cauley.
Hi Madeleine, 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?
Over three years ago, I was working at a local golf course and I was miserable. I wanted a different job that I actually enjoyed and where I could be my boss and run my own business. I wasn’t quite sure what business I wanted to do, but I knew I loved people and animals. Then I decided to take a massive leap of faith, quit my job, and started my own pet sitting business. I was initially skeptical if it would be profitable or scalable, however, I was hopeful and determined to make it work no matter what.
A few months into the summer (busy season), I put out one free ad for pet sitting on social media, and I got over 80+ comments from customers looking for a pet sitter. From then on, my business was so busy I was working 12+ hour days, and I had to start turning people down because I was completely booked out for months. I was doing what I loved by helping people with their animals and hanging out and playing with animals that I love.
My main priority from the beginning was to give clients the best of the best professional and trusted pet sitting service, and that is exactly what I did. I went the extra mile for so many clients doing things that were out of my job description, and they loved me for that and referred me to everyone they knew that needed a well-trusted pet sitter/house sitter.
Eventually, I got so busy I knew that I needed to hire some professional pet sitters that were like me to continue to grow the business. For the pet sitters I hired, my main priority was honesty, trust, and professionalism; if they didn’t fit that description, they didn’t work for me. Since then, I have grown and provided a professional premium and trusted pet sitting business in West Austin. I couldn’t be more blessed and thankful to God for this successful pet sitting business it has become today.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This journey has been an uphill battle to run and manage my own pet sitting business. It has been a tough road with many obstacles because many people didn’t see the value in a professional pet sitting business and I had to prove to customers that I was worth it. In addition, when I am overbooked and unable to take on existing clients or new customers, they become upset and disappointed that we don’t have availability. That is extremely hard to deal with because they may find another pet sitter and never use me again. Furthermore, the biggest obstacle I faced was during COVID in 2020. My business disappeared for four months, and it was the hardest time ever because I didn’t know if I could be a profitable or successful business after that. I had to restructure my whole business completely, and I lost 80% of my clients, so I had to start from scratch. However, I was doing what I loved, and I was determined to do whatever it took to make it work. Thankfully after eight months of COVID, I could get back to where I was before it happened. Lastly, finding the right people to work for me is the hardest obstacle. My standards are extremely high for anyone that works for me, and I made sure anyone that worked for me I trusted wholeheartedly, and if I didn’t, I did not let them continue to work for me. Through all these obstacles, I am thankful for them because I have been able to grow and structure my business which has made it the successful business it is today.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a professional entrepreneur with multiple businesses, including a pet sitting business in West Austin. I manage and run the company with six employees currently. I specialize in luxury, professional, trusted pet sitting, house sitting, and dog walking. I am most proud of how successful this business is today and the 5-star reputation that we have. We help clients in West Austin get the best of the best pet sitting service. I am known for helping clients with overnight stays, boarding in my employee’s homes, and drop-in visits in my client’s houses. The animals are mainly cats and dogs, but we also help with some ranch animals like horses. The main thing that sets me apart from others is that I am an extremely hard and passionate worker, and I will go the extra mile for any client to satisfy them with my services. The other thing that sets me apart from others is that I have integrity and honesty, and I give everyone full transparency about everything, and people love me for that.
What does success mean to you?
I define success as doing something that takes courage and strength to do and gives you purpose and passion in your life while achieving a certain level of profitability and desired outcome that sets you above and apart from other people that you are competing with.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.madpetloverz.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madpetloverz/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madpetloverz/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DailyMaddie
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/mad-pet-loverz-lakeway-2
