Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Balon.
Erin, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
In 2015 I started a side hustle watching dogs out of my home as a way to help pay off my mortgage faster. Fast forward two years later, and I was let go from my full-time job in 2017. I decided not to return to work and to try and turn my side hustle into a full-time gig. For two more years, I worked all day every day to grow my business. I finally grew to the point where my businesses needed their own location separate from my house. In May 2019, I acquired a lease space and Canine Cowboy was born.
Great, 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?
Definitely not. Taking care of living beings who need you all the time is definitely challenging. You don’t get to clock out at the end of the day, go home, and forget about work. We are a kennel-free facility, we do not have kennels, and therefore someone has to be with the dogs 24/7. That is usually me as getting funding for business when you are a woman is next to impossible.
When I first signed the lease papers, I had no idea it was so difficult to get a loan for a business. My finances were in good standing and my credit score was excellent. I signed the lease papers as a business loan was in process, thinking I’d get the loan. I didn’t. The underwriter wanted to know where my husband worked to show an additional source of income (I don’t have a boyfriend, let alone a husband). Since I didn’t have a husband, they wanted to know what my second job was to show another source of income. It is impossible to have a second job when you take care of animals and run a full business time. It’s just not feasible. With that loan getting denied and having already signed the lease papers, I tried to get another loan, which I was also denied. This time because my LLC was two months shy of being registered for two years. I then had to get creative to get the money needed to open. I was able to get some money, but only half of what was needed to open. Therefore, I was not able to get the number of employees needed. Thankfully I have amazing friends and family who donate their time to help me with the business where needed.
I had anticipated hiring this past May, however, COVID came along and hit my business hard. My business depends on people to travel, and with fewer people traveling the projected growth of my business has definitely slowed down.
Canine Cowboy – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Canine Cowboy is a kennel-free dog boarding and daycare facility. We do not have kennels and dogs are free to roam throughout our building. We also have large outdoor yards for the dogs to play in. There is staff on-site at night so the dogs are not left alone overnight. We pride ourselves on giving each dog top-quality care, open communication with pet parents, being expertly trained, and having tons of fun with our furry pals! Our facility is located on what used to be a farm and our facility is a rustic 1960s farmhouse. We are definitely not your standard boarding facility. When people ask what it is like, we like to describe it as your dog having a sleepover with all of their best friends!
Once a month we have themed parties for our dogs. Last month since the state fair was canceled we had the “State Fair of Dog,” where dogs participated in a rubber ducky race, bobbing for hot dogs/apples, and balloon pop. This month, for October, we will have a Halloween party where dogs are encouraged to dress up. Our Facebook fans will then vote for which dog has the best costume!
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
It makes me proud to see how many happy clients and dogs I’ve been able to serve. I strive to do my very best and to create an awesome experience for both people and their dogs. I live to serve my clients and seeing them happy is the most fulfilling part of what I do.
Pricing:
- Dog Boarding, 1st dog – $35/night
- Dog Boarding, each additional dog – $32/night
- Day Care, 1st dog – $25/day
- Day Care, each additional dog – $22/day
Contact Info:
- Address: 2336 Oak Grove Lane
Aubrey, TX 76227 - Website: caninecowboy.com
- Phone: 940-305-9041
- Email: info@caninecowboy.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/caninecowboydogresort
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caninecowboy
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