We recently connected with Leila Offner and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Leila, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
When I first started Precious Petcare I certainly wasn’t the only petsitter in San Diego. I knew there was a lot of competition. However, I also knew that not only do I love and care for the pets as they were my own but I am a very trustworthy and reliable person. I think personality trait is huge when you are dealing with people and coming into their home. I respect client’s home and always leave their homes cleaner than they left. It’s important to me to make the pets happy but the client’s happier. I think I am successful now because I knew I will go above and beyond for my client’s and they could always rely on me. I will never cancel on a client and will always find a solution for them if they are in need. I started my petsitting business by myself but after I got too busy with too many client’s I had to hire and that probably was the hardest part. I wanted to hire only sitters who were like me and who had the same value. Someone who cares deeply for pets but also has good people skills. I am very happy with my team of pet sitters now. I 100% stand behind them and trust them. I plan to grow Precious Petcare and keep on giving the same personable experience to all our clients.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I was born and raised in Japan and came to the U.S. when I was 18 years old. I went to College in Miami and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Merchandising & Marketing. I came to San Diego in 2008 and worked in the hospitality industry working my way up from a server to a General Manager for a couple restaurants. I started pet sitting as a side hustle since I love animals so much and my Dad used to train Labrador Retrievers when I was a little to become service dogs so growing up we always had dogs in the house. Eventually my side hustle became my main hustle and I was able to quit all my jobs to start Precious Petcare.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I think the best advice I can give a new business owner is to just be genuine. Be real. Be honest. Be someone who people can really trust. You really have to connect with people and that’s something you will learn and develop as you meet more people.
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
My biggest area of growth has been hiring more help and delegating. I was burning myself to the ground trying to do everything on my own from marketing, social media, scheduling, hiring, training and also doing the petsitting too. I had no work/ life balance and I thought I wasn’t “there” yet to hire people to help but once I did It brought more business and more clients. I wished I would have delegated and let go of control sooner!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.preciouspetcaresd.com
- Instagram: @preciouspetcaresd
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/preciouspetcaresd
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/precious-pet-care-san-diego-3
- Other: Google: https://g.page/r/CTeqoRgfrLv2EAI
