In corporate America, I was always one of the 20% doing 80% of the work and got the same small percentage of pay increase that the lazy people got. I hated it; therefore, I wanted to own my own business after finishing college with two degrees: Associates in Management & Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology. I have always been a hard worker, I started working when I was twelve years old – mowing yards in the neighborhood and babysitting. I have always been a fanatic about the care of my dogs, I never liked boarding them and had a couple of bad experiences with boarding them. The last time I boarded my little dog, MimMiToo, a toy poodle, I was greeted at pick up with a very rude person. I walked out of that place deciding I would open a dog boarding facility. It took me about five years of planning and I got it done in 2005. I had zero money to really speak of and not one customer.

I found the perfect location, got an SBA Loan, renovated a building and opened November 2005. My philosophy was to make every customer a returning customer. There was never a doubt in my mind that I could succeed at taking care of dogs. I am a very trustworthy, honest, ethical person and a bit of a tom boyish type who loves the outdoors and animals, so it was a perfect business for me.

I have done well in the past fourteen years as far as accumulating repeat customers and growing the business. Things are not ever perfect, there have been some growing pains and learning curves, especially with managing people. It is not an easy job but a rewarding job. I understand dogs much more than I do people and training people to understand dogs and the need for very high standards with zero mistakes is a challenge.

Riverside is set apart from others by the following:

1. We get the the dogs outside more than most, if any other boarding facility (4-5 times/day)
2. We have lots of green space outside, (where the sunshine is) not a fake outdoor area.
3. We have music playing inside and outside 24/7 which is comforting to the dogs.
4. We keep the kennel very close to 70 degrees year round.
5. We are no nonsense and what we say, we mean.
6. Our small staff are all dog loving people and are tightly managed.
7. Owner managed as opposed to corporate managed where owner is never there.
8. We are particular about who we hire and what jobs they do.
9. We feed a top of the line dog food, Fromm Family Food.

I am very thankful and appreciate of all who trust me with their beloved four legged kiddos and I am happy to be living the American Dream which is the opportunity to go for what you want if you use your brain power and make wise life choices.