Meet Alona Yakymchuk

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alona Yakymchuk. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alona, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

My journey to finding my purpose began with a deeply personal experience from my childhood. When I was 16, I faced a significant setback that challenged my dreams and tested my resilience.

During my summers, I spent time with my grandmother, where I became known as the local veterinarian, bringing home and caring for various animals. My passion for animals was undeniable, and I dreamt of having a specific breed of kitten— a Scottish Fold with a blue coat pattern.

One winter day, I found my dream kitten tangled in a tree, scared and hungry. It felt like a miracle, but my happiness was short-lived as my father, who claimed to have an allergy, insisted we give her away. This shattered me. I felt betrayed and devastated.

Despite this heartbreak, my passion for animals persisted. I studied to become a social educator, driven by a desire to make the world better for both people and animals. My interest in cats grew, and a serendipitous meeting with a veterinarian who bred Scottish Folds reignited my passion.

Years later, my dream finally came true when my father gifted me a Scottish Fold kitten. This experience healed my childhood wounds and filled me with immense joy. My kitten, Nefertiti, became a symbol of my perseverance and love for animals.

This journey led to the creation of my business, HappyPawsUS. Starting with Scottish Folds, we expanded to other popular and exclusive breeds. Every time I place a kitten into a loving family’s hands, I feel fulfilled and driven by my purpose. Sharing my knowledge and ensuring the well-being of these animals fills me with pride and happiness.

Finding my purpose came from overcoming adversity, embracing my passion, and creating a business that brings joy and love to others. This purpose is rooted in a lifelong commitment to animal welfare and making the world a happier place for both pets and their owners.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

Hello everyone,

I’m Alona, and I’m thrilled to introduce you to HappyPawsUS, an online haven dedicated to enriching homes with the joy and companionship of our beloved kittens. What began as a childhood passion for animals has blossomed into a rewarding entrepreneurial venture aimed at uniting families with their perfect feline companions.

HappyPawsUS specializes in offering a diverse selection of high-quality kitten breeds, meticulously chosen and nurtured in loving environments to ensure not just their health, but also their socialization. What truly distinguishes us is our unwavering commitment to transparency and customer care. From the moment our customers start their journey with us to long after their new furry family member settles in, we provide unwavering support and guidance. Witnessing the pure happiness our kittens bring into people’s lives is incredibly fulfilling.

For me, the most exhilarating aspect of my work is merging my deep passion for animals with strategic business acumen. Each day, I have the privilege of facilitating connections between families and their dream kittens, much like how I once fulfilled my own childhood dream. This personal connection to every adoption fills me with immense satisfaction and drives me to continually enhance and expand our offerings.

Looking forward, we are continually innovating to elevate our services and extend our reach to more families seeking to welcome a loving pet into their home. Whether it’s broadening our breed offerings or enhancing the customer experience, our goal remains steadfast—to evolve while upholding the highest standards of care and quality.

Recently, we’ve been eagerly preparing to open our first physical location. This exciting development will not only allow customers to meet and interact with our kittens in person but also participate in activities like cat yoga, educational classes, and more. Our unique approach and design are poised to set a new standard, unlike anything seen before in the USA. We anticipate opening our doors soon and eagerly await the opportunity to welcome you into our community.

I invite you to explore HappyPawsUS and discover firsthand the love and joy our kittens bring. Whether you’re an experienced cat enthusiast or considering your first pet, we’re dedicated to making your adoption journey as seamless and joyful as possible.

Thank you for letting me share my journey, and I look forward to embarking on this incredible adventure with all of you.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back on my journey, three qualities that were most impactful in my entrepreneurial path with HappyPawsUS were:

1. Passion and Persistence: My unwavering passion for animals and determination to pursue my dream played a crucial role. Even in challenging times, staying committed to my vision kept me motivated and focused. Even if it seems like hard today, it will be different tomorrow.

2. Customer-Centric Approach: Prioritizing transparency, empathy, and exceptional customer care has been pivotal. Understanding and anticipating the needs of our customers not only built trust but also fostered long-term relationships that are essential for business growth.

3. Continuous Learning and Adaptability: Embracing a mindset of continuous improvement and being open to learning from both successes and setbacks has been invaluable. In a dynamic business landscape, being adaptable and willing to pivot strategies as needed has enabled us to navigate changes effectively.

Since we operate internationally, global conflicts and geopolitical tensions can significantly impact our operations. Remaining flexible and open-minded is essential as we navigate these challenges, continuously adapting our business strategies to mitigate risks effectively.

For those early in their entrepreneurial journey, I would advise focusing on the following to develop and improve these qualities:

– Deepen Your Passion: Invest time in understanding your passion and its potential impact. When you are deeply passionate about your endeavor, it fuels your perseverance and resilience during challenging times.

– Build Customer Relationships: Take the time to truly listen to your customers and understand their needs. Strive to create an exceptional experience at every touchpoint. Feedback is invaluable—use it to refine your offerings and enhance customer satisfaction.

– Stay Curious and Agile: The business landscape evolves rapidly. Stay curious about industry trends, consumer behaviors, and emerging technologies. Be willing to adapt your strategies based on new insights and changing market conditions.

– Seek Mentorship and Networking: Surround yourself with mentors, advisors, and a supportive network. Learn from experienced individuals who can provide guidance and perspective. Networking also opens doors to new opportunities and collaborations.

– Embrace Learning Opportunities: Whether through formal education, workshops, or self-study, prioritize learning. Develop skills relevant to your business, such as marketing, finance, or operational efficiency. Continuous learning keeps you adaptable and prepares you to seize opportunities as they arise.

By cultivating these qualities and skills early in your journey, you can build a strong foundation for long-term success and fulfillment in your entrepreneurial endeavors.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?

The biggest challenge we’re currently facing revolves around the completion and opening of our pet store/cafe. Over the past year, we’ve experienced substantial changes in our business trajectory. One of the most difficult aspects has been managing expectations and ensuring commitments are honored by our contractors.

Initially, we engaged general contractors to undertake the renovation of our leased space. We diligently provided all required plans and designs, and work commenced smoothly. However, midway through the project, the contractors abruptly stopped work, requesting full payment despite the incomplete state of the renovation and the absence of necessary permits, which were supposed to be handled by them as per our agreement.

This situation was not only financially burdensome but also deeply frustrating. It highlighted the challenge of finding trustworthy partners aligned with our values and commitment to quality work. After careful consideration and regrouping, we took decisive action to rectify the situation. We brought in new contractors to complete the work and engaged a second architect to revise and resubmit our plans, addressing the initial oversights.

Currently, our store is fully finished and poised to welcome customers. However, we are navigating challenges with city and building departments to rectify past mistakes and ensure compliance with all necessary regulations. This experience has been a valuable lesson in resilience and the importance of thorough due diligence in business partnerships.

Moving forward, our focus remains on delivering a welcoming and safe environment for our customers and their pets. We are committed to overcoming these challenges and fulfilling our vision for a successful pet store/cafe that enriches the community.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.happypawsus.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happy_paws_us/?hl=en

Image Credits

Happy Paws US