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

Hi Hollie, what do you think makes you most happy? Why?
The short answer: dogs.

The long answer: Being of service to others is my core nature. It’s who I am, and what I’m good at. I have always known this to be true, and I’ve rarely found myself in a role that was not in support of something or someone. However, it wasn’t until I discovered You Turn by Ashley Stahl that I realized I was missing a fundamental part of the happiness puzzle. That missing piece was what I loved to do; what made me truly happy.

After diving deeper into my core values, I learned that living in alignment with my integrity and authenticity, with freedom at the center of it all, was the only way I was going to be truly fulfilled in a career, and I decided to leave my full-time job to pursue just that. Now, I get to be of service to others in a way that also fills my cup and hang out with dogs at weddings, all while being my own boss!

What should our readers know about your business?
Pup Plus One is a Wedding Pet Attendant service that makes it effortless and stress-free for couples to include their dog(s) in their wedding day! We offer chauffeur services to and from the wedding venue, escort the pups down the aisle, sit with them during the ceremony, assist with family photos and walk them around cocktail hour so they can soak up all the love and attention from family and friends. We are team #neverleavethedogsbehind and pride ourselves on being an integral part of couples getting to celebrate their big day with their fur babes.

The idea for Pup Plus One was born when I was asked by a Rover client to provide this exact service. Eight months later, I quit my job in pursuit of something that aligned with who I am and what I love to do, and I couldn’t think of a better combination than getting to hang out with dogs and being of service to others on such an important day!

My journey leading to being a business owner was only challenging in the sense that I was absolutely terrified to consciously walk away from stable income and jump into the unknown. The second I did, everything fell into place. Of course, starting any business comes with its own challenges (hello, Instagram marketing), but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I am exactly where I’m supposed to be, doing exactly what I’m meant to do. The greatest lesson I’ve learned through this endeavor is that The Universe will send you the most beautiful affirmations when you’re aligned with your purpose.

Pup Plus One serves as a reminder that dogs are not – and never will be – just dogs; they are an integral part of your family. Including them in one of the most important days of your life doesn’t have to be stressful for you. In fact, it’s one of the few days you get to enjoy spending time with your dog without any of the responsibility. We hope to help as many couples as possible include their dogs in their wedding, creating memories that last a lifetime.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Anywhere dogs are allowed and nowhere they’re not.

Some of my favorite memories I’ve made with visiting friends were those that involved little to no planning at all. There’s something special about throwing camping or backpacking gear into the car and heading deep into the mountains to unplug. Being in nature is – and always will be – a huge part of my life (mostly because that’s where I feel most at home in my own body, but also because that’s where my dogs prefer to be, too).

I’ll always prefer a home-cooked meal of meat that my partner harvested and vegetables from our garden, but I also love Fresh Thymes and T|ACO in Boulder.

I love experiencing new places, but there is also something so sweet about experiencing familiar places through the lens of new people. Their excitement and wonder serves as a reminder to never take for granted what you get to experience every day.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The list of individuals, mentors, groups and books that I owe a huge thank you to is quite lengthy, and for that, I am forever grateful. I am lucky to have a family that loves, supports and encourages my need to forge my own unconventional path in life, along with an incredible circle of friends who have my back no matter what. I have been blessed with the most supportive partner who taught me the importance of questioning the norm and pursuing a life of passion and happiness. He is my greatest cheerleader, and I would not have the life I do without him.

If I had to choose one book that changed my career, it would be You Turn by Ashley Stahl. Her words acted as a catalyst for my career change, and I am beyond grateful to have stumbled upon her teachings at the exact moment I so needed it.

Website: www.pupplusone.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pupplusone/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pupplusone

Image Credits
Rhianna Treux Photo ML Photo & Film

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