Today we’d like to introduce you to Wade Lindsey.
Hi Wade, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve taken a pretty unconventional path to where I am today, but it’s shaped how I work and who I am. I started out in finance at TD Ameritrade, thinking that was the track I’d stay on. When the merger happened, I pivoted and eventually built my own pet-care business, Dallas Dog Den, from the ground up. I’ve spent the last few years taking care of dogs full-time, running every part of the business myself — sales, client relationships, operations, the early mornings, the late nights, all of it.
What I learned is that I’m at my best when I’m building relationships, solving problems, and actually helping people. That’s the part that stuck with me through every job I’ve taken on. It’s what pushed me to grow a five-star business with over a hundred reviews, and it’s what made me want to get back into working with a team again instead of doing everything alone.
My story is really just me trying, failing, adjusting, and getting better every year — personally and professionally. I’ve learned how to be resilient, how to communicate well with all kinds of people, and how to stay steady when things get chaotic. I’m ready for the next chapter, one where I can bring the experience I’ve earned the hard way and apply it somewhere I can really grow and contribute long-term.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Leaving a big company and going out on my own meant losing stability and structure overnight. When you’re a one-person business, there’s no cushion — if bookings slow down, if your car breaks, if life happens, it all hits you directly.
I’ve been through financial stress, personal loss, and plenty of “okay, how am I going to pull this off?” moments. There were times I was exhausted, juggling dogs, client communication, and real-life responsibilities all at once, trying to figure it out in real time.
But those challenges changed me in a good way. They taught me resilience, humility, and how to stay calm when things are messy. They also made the wins feel very real — every happy client, every returning dog, every small step forward feels earned. The hard parts are woven into my story, and they’re a big reason I’m as steady and people-focused as I am today.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Dallas Dog Den LLC is my boutique pet-care business based in Old East Dallas, and it’s something I’m really proud of. I specialize in private, personalized dog boarding, dog walking, pet-sitting, and pet taxi services. What makes my business different is the level of attention and connection I give to every dog and every pet parent. I’m not a high-volume facility — I’m the opposite. I keep things small, intentional, and relationship-based so every dog feels safe, cared for, and loved.
Clients know me for communication, reliability, and treating their pets like family. I’ve built the business on trust, consistency, and real relationships, which is why I’ve earned over 100 five-star reviews across Rover and Wag, and have dozens of repeat clients who’ve stayed with me for years. A lot of my business comes from word of mouth because people genuinely feel their dogs are in good hands with me.
What I’m most proud of brand-wise is that Dallas Dog Den feels warm, personal, and human — not corporate. My services are tailored to each pet: their routines, their quirks, their comfort level. I get to know every dog individually, and pet parents appreciate that level of attention. I want readers to know that Dallas Dog Den isn’t just a place to drop off your dog — it’s a safe, loving home environment where they can relax, play, and be themselves while you’re away.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success, to me, is trust earned and sustained over time. It’s when clients don’t just book once, but come back, refer friends, and feel confident handing over the care of a family member. In pet care, there’s no higher metric than that.
On a practical level, success also means building something that’s stable, ethical, and sustainable, for both the animals and the humans involved. It’s creating a business that allows me to deliver consistently high-quality care without burning out or cutting corners, while still growing in a way that feels intentional.
If the dogs are happy, the clients feel at ease, and the business can stand on its own two feet year after year, that’s success to me. Quiet, earned, and real.
Pricing:
- Rates reflect limited capacity, personalized care, and an experienced, hands-on approach
- Dallas Dog Den is positioned as a boutique, high-touch service rather than a volume-based operation
- Pricing varies based on service type, duration, frequency, and the specific needs of each dog
Contact Info:
- Website: https://DallasDogDen.com
