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

Hi Sean, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
Outside of taking care of basic pet needs, we focus on socializing them. I often hear, “My dog doesn’t do well with others.” which is not always accurate while out with us. There are times, especially in cases of bad weather or emergencies, where we need to pair them up. It’s important that they behave while out and not injure us or other animals. All of our lives are easier if they get along. Basic training like stopping at curbs before crossing a street, having them sit and wait till we exit a doorway first, etc., is crucial for their safety and of those in their neighborhood as well. Setting a positive example is important to us.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My background is not in pet care, but the arts. Although it was easy for me to step into this world as I’ve always been in operations/behind the scenes. Loving animals is key as we never know which types we will be caring for. You really have to be a self starter and operate independently to be successful with dog walking and pet sitting . A lot of things can happen and you need to be flexible, react quickly to situations. The work/life balance is probably the trickiest part of this job to navigate. We are at the whim of last minute bookings, so knowing our route and starting early is crucial to maximizing our income. I always try to find ways I can create happiness at work. We have dog birthday parties occasionally. They can be stressful, but they bring such joy to the owners. It is totally worth it and the photos are always hilarious.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The number one suggestion I have, for anyone visiting San Diego, is Balboa Park. There is so much history there, the iconic tower that stretches above the trees, Spanish Village, many hiking trails, events, a large dog park, great restaurants, tons of museums, etc. Best place for culture while visiting. I really don’t need to convince most to go. I tell them where to park, cross the famous bridge and explore. It probably takes four days to visit everything including the best zoo in the world. Hitting it over a weekend is crucial as many events only take place then, especially with the International Houses.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’ve always valued our partnership with Karen at The Bea Keeper in Mission Hills. Whether it is covering vacations for one another or referrals, I’ve always appreciated how kind and professional she is. Like businesses rarely share information or clients, so she is one of a kind.

Website: https://www.lovelittlebuddies.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlebuddies
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lovelittlebuddies
Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/little-buddies-san-diego
Other: Nextdoor https://hartleysnorthpark.nextdoor.com/pages/little-buddies-pet-care-san-diego-ca/ Google https://g.page/littlebuddiespetcaresandiego/review?rc

Image Credits
I took most of these and/or we have clients give us permission to use their pets photos.

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