Meet Maya Gopalakrishnan | Pet care provider

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

Hi Maya, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I was a dog walker and pet sitter on popular apps before I started my own business. I loved the job, but disliked the industry standards and lack of quality control that they offered both on the sitters’ behalf and the clients who place their trust in the companies. The bottom line was more important to them- or so it seemed to me. We work in a very personal industry. We go into people’s homes, take care of their pets. Our entire career is predicated on building relationships and trust between us and our clients both human and furry. I think it’s important to know into who’s hands you’re placing your precious friends lives when you’re at work or going away on vacation or for work. My company is not that different from some of the others, but not for long. I am working hard to change what is industry standard in the pet care business, one happy customer at a time.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I started my company Pawpins Petsitting in 2023 after I adopted a husky named Loki. I was taking some time off to let him get integrated into my home and life with my cat. I had been a pet sitter for little under 2 years at the time and I realized I had a choice to make- keep going with the apps I was using to build my business or take the plunge into creating a business that would change what we all were doing as “industry standard” practices. While some of the services I provide are in line with what other companies are offering like the array of daily dog walks and pop-in visits, I wanted to change things up a bit- offer something new for my clients. I created a new service that caters to my clients’ dogs and their needs as dogs. The service is called The Sniffari Experience and under the umbrella of the service are two services- The Sniffari Scavenger Hunt, an indoor/outdoor service where I utilize treat filled toys and the dogs’ favorite high value treats, hide them and time how long it takes the dogs to find them. Their reward for a job well done are the treats and the toy. The other service is called the Sniffari State Park Adventure- it’s a hiking service focused on bringing dogs to trails and letting them sniff. The goal is not the miles we walk but the things the dogs interact with using their noses. I’m a pretty creative person and I decided to use my biggest strength and my love of the animals I work with to create some new exciting services that cater to their needs individually. My focus became bespoke pet care services that are as unique as my clients pets themselves. For example, I read to a client’s dog while I pop in on him 3 days a week. The more theatrical I get, the sleepier he gets. We’re now three books in and still going strong. While I have managed to standardize some of them to make sure I can apply them to various other dogs and cats, I still try and keep them as varied and unique, just like each individual animal I care for. I reward the dogs and cats I work with by getting them toys and treats that cater to their personalities, likes and interests. For example, if a dog is more treat motivated I get them a variety of Kongs, Woof treat toys or Toppls for their enrichment. If a dog has more prey drive, I bring them stuffed toys that squeak. It’s all about the animals I care for- everything I do, I do with them in mind. There have been days when I compare myself to other businesses who have been around longer or are savvier in their business marketing, or have more instagram followers. It was not and still is not easy to over come that feeling of insecurity and inadequacy that plagues us all- however I found some wonderful friends and mentors who help me through the difficult days. I also realized I had relied too much on the apps’ algorithm to create my client base so doing it on my own has been an eye opening process. However once I found what works for me, I have seen the fruits of my labor and sleepless nights pay off

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
That’s easy. My best friend and I would want to go somewhere quiet and nature filled. She and I are originally from bustling big cities- so we’d want to get away somewhere we can be one with nature and take in the majesty of the world. I’d want to take her to Chautauqua in Boulder or Red Rocks trails for some hiking, she’d want me to bring my dog so she can take lots of pictures of all three of us in the beautiful scenic views. I’d also want to take her to my favorite restaurant Lo Stella Ristorante by the art museum. After that we’d go to the art exhibits in the Denver Art Museum. In my free time I like to paint, sculpt and draw so I’d love to go there and get some inspiration.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
A few people actually. I want to start by recognizing my whole village of people. My mom and dad- thank you for moving to the United States and starting a new life with a moody unruly teenager. Thank you for your continued support of my dreams. I know it’s unconventional for Indian parents to encourage their children to live a life so different than the one they had imagined, thank you for letting me be brave and dive into the unknown. I want to thank all current and former clients of mine- you took a chance on a complete novice, a stranger to come in to your lives and celebrate all the wins but also mourn all your losses. I hope to keep improving upon my company vision and its all thanks to you and your wonderful fur babies. I also want to thank my friend and colleague Sarah Jones, whom I met in 2022 and she has guided me and supported me through the very challenging times of running my business. I’d also like to thank my business mentor Mattison Skoog Simpson. I’d have long given up on my dreams if I had not gotten to know you, and gotten to take your business marketing course. She literally changed my life for the best. Jordan Hunt, dog walker and trainer extraordinaire who keeps inspiring me to put my best foot forward. Last but not least, Emily Breslin, a wonderful dog mom, a new great friend and rising trainer. Thank you for encouraging me to be most enthusiastic and authentic self even when it’s hard for me to do so some days. It took a whole village to make Pawpins Petsitting a reality.

Website: https://www.pawpinspetsitting.com

Instagram: @pawpinspetsitting_llc

Image Credits
Jessica Robertson