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

Hi Mikki, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?

With over 30+ years in the cat rescue and adoption business, Pamleslie found that the typical adoption events were stressful for the cats and that they did not show well as a result of the transportation and the loud and sometimes very overwhelming retail places they were being transported and showcased. Around 2013, Pam was inspired by the cat café craze in Asia and she realized that a cat lounge would be a much better environment to introduce rescued cats to people interested in adopting a kitty. Since she had no firsthand knowledge of food, and cats really were her wheelhouse, she decided to focus solely on a cat lounge versus a cat café spot and partnered with her daughter and fellow cat lover Mikki Raye to open their own cat lounge in downtown Long Beach ca.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
1st Cat lounge in South Bay area of Southern California. Since opening in 2019; we have supported and heard of at least 3 others opening up as well and feel encouraged & excited that others are now following suite because cat rescue is greatly benefitted from using this type of holistic caring business model to rescue and rehome cats. We got to where we are today with significant moxie, research, planning, hard work and of course a community of fellow cat lovers supporting us! It was not easy; there were many hoops to jump through and some significant challenges as well but we are so committed to our community and our cause that we continue to push through. We would want people to know that cats are really special animals that make wonderful pets but education is key to learning about and most benefitting from adding one to your household.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Long Beach, CA has definitely grown by leaps and bounds since our family first landed there in the 1920’s and has always been a special place which as attracted people from all over. The first thing I would recommend of course is a walk along our more than 4-mile long flat beach trail which runs along the waterfront. We can enjoy the fresh air; ocean breeze and depending upon the time of year; some dolphins frolicking near the shoreline. I am a music and art buff so I would definitely suggest live music at Tantalum or Roscoe’s Jazz Lounge and an art exhibit at either MOLA or Long Beach Museum of Art. For good food; a new recent addition I love is Grilled Fraiche which offers delicious Caribbean, halal and vegan offerings and for more great food, excellent people watching and nice vibes a visit to The Social List in the 4th Street District is always a hit.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The four pillars of our business model is what we call the four seas and this refers to cats, of course -), our customers & cause and most importantly community. It is within community that we have stability and success. We would not be who we are today as an organization without so many amazing people who have come along side to help & guide us in a variety of different ways but we especially would not be where we are today without out amazing and committed supportive volunteer team.

Website: info@felinegoodsocialclub.com

Instagram: @felinegoodsocialclub.com

Facebook: felinegoodsocialclub

Yelp: felinegoodsocialclub

Other: You can also find us on TikTok

Image Credits
Natasha Jara @nrj.film

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