Meet Ceilidh Smith

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ceilidh Smith a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ceilidh, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

From a young age, I’d internalized the belief that the key to life is being happy. And to be happy, finding the right career was crucial, no matter where life took me. The formula seemed simple enough – work hard, get educated, land the perfect job.

But as the years passed after college, that sense of certainty began to crumble. I found myself grappling with deeper existential questions and became less satisfied with what the rest of my life was starting to look like. Is this really all there is? Why do I feel so drained when 40-hour weeks are the norm? And without academic milestones, how was I supposed to gauge my progress in life?

Despite the mounting doubts, I knew I would need to keep moving forward to find that elusive happiness. I was convinced the secret lay in having the perfect career, and I was ready to create that career for myself. So when the pandemic was winding down, I made the decision to quit my full-time animation job and start a pet-sitting business to pursue my passion for pets. It checked all the boxes; remote work, floofy friends, a tight-knit local community, and the freedom of being my own boss.

But as I dove into building this new venture, it quickly became clear that the perfect job wasn’t going to solve my deep-seated internal struggles. If anything, the depression and anxiety only intensified, without a boss or coworkers to maintain appearances for. The pressure was mounting, and I knew if I didn’t address my mental health, I wouldn’t be able to run a successful business.

That’s when the real work began. Consistent therapy, endless podcasts and audiobooks – I was determined to understand myself better. I had to face those problems head-on instead of pushing them aside. It was a long, tough process, but eventually led to a thriving, growing business that I’m really proud of, and a deep self-acceptance.

I realize now that my singular focus on having a “good future” allowed me to ignore my unhappiness in the present. Until I dealt with the issues in the moment, that goal of “being happy” was never going to materialize. These days, I make a conscious effort to maintain balance, protect my rest time, and just enjoy each day for what it is. If I hadn’t taken that leap to start my own thing, I think it would have taken me a lot longer to find this sense of inner peace.

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?

I began Floof Club with the goal of uniting pet parents and sitters into a thriving community of like-minded pet lovers. I’m passionate about using my artistic skills to enhance this concept and bring more of my illustrations to the public. When I began the process of branding for Floof Club, I finally had the creative freedom to build something entirely my own, and have fun while doing it. This has allowed me to explore new styles and enhance my strengths in ways that benefit the business.

But beyond Floof Club, my hope is to leverage my design and animation expertise to collaborate with other small businesses and freelancers. Whether it’s creating a website, brand consultation, or putting together a powerpoint deck, my goal is to work with entrepreneurs who are passionately pursuing their own visions. It’s incredibly rewarding to work with others operating outside the standard work place, and I prefer helping to bring their vision to life than toiling away on corporate projects lacking in creative fulfillment and genuine appreciation. Moving forward, I’m excited to dedicate more of my time and talents toward uplifting other small businesses, and helping them achieve their goals through visually striking, budget-friendly design and animation.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Skill-sharing has been an incredibly valuable tool for me in terms of learning from others in areas where I’m lacking. It’s allowed me to gain insights and knowledge on topics that I otherwise wouldn’t have been able to afford or access. Beyond business development, skill-sharing has also been an invaluable asset for building my community and professional network. I love working and learning with others who are passionate about what they do.

As much as I used to dislike the idea of “networking,” I’ve come to see it less as a transactional “business card swap” and more as an opportunity to genuinely get to know the people and potential friends around me. Building authentic connections has given me the privilege of surrounding myself with those who share my values and passions. It’s been incredibly enriching to feel that sense of belonging and community.

Learning to navigate uncomfortable or tense conversations has become an unavoidable part of being the leader of a company. Now that I’m the one in charge, tackling those tough situations has become a major turning point in how I run my business and engage with clients, employees, and colleagues. Trusting my own decisions and instincts has been difficult at times, but with more experience, I’ve learned that to truly achieve success and happiness on my own terms, I have to be willing to follow that inner voice. Developing effective communication and conflict resolution styles that lead with empathy and maintain boundaries has been a crucial skill to hone. Ideally, I’ll reach a point where I’m not stuck dwelling on these challenging interactions, but I know that will just take continued practice and growth.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I would love to work with individuals and small businesses who are looking to bring their creative projects to life. Whether you need help with graphic design, animation, or just a fresh perspective, I’m very much open to collaborating to help enhance your vision and elevate your business!

I’m also particularly passionate about connecting with other pet-centric businesses here in the Austin community. Whether you’re a brick and mortar store, non-profit, or other animal-focused venture, I’d be delighted to discuss our shared ideas and learn from one another. My goal is to foster a strong network of like-minded pet lovers so as a community we’re able to provide the best care to all the good boys and girls in town.

To get a sense of my design and animation work, you can check out my portfolio at csmithdesign.me. And if you’d like to explore a potential pet-centric partnership, feel free to reach out via floofclub.com. I’d love to grab a coffee or chat over email!

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