Meet Lori Riegler

We recently connected with Lori Riegler and have shared our conversation below.

Lori, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

My resilience stems from a combination of passion, overcoming adversity, and even a touch of fear. Passion comes naturally when you love what you do, and it keeps me engaged and motivated. However, it’s during challenging moments—when I feel unsure or unmotivated—that I really draw on my resilience. I remind myself of past accomplishments and give myself a pep talk, which helps me regain confidence and push through. Fear also plays a role: I know that if I don’t take action, the outcome might not be in my favor. Recognizing that I’m the one responsible for driving change motivates me to keep going, even when things get tough.

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 am the owner of Off Leash MKE, Milwaukee’s trusted dog walking and pet care provider since 2016. We specialize in offering premium services, from neighborhood dog walks and solo hikes to group playdates and cat sitting, all tailored to the needs of busy urban professionals. What sets us apart is our unique dog walking adventures in some of Milwaukee’s most scenic, dog-friendly locations. Our team is trained, insured, and Fear Free Certified, ensuring the highest quality care for pets. In addition to pet care, we organize community-driven events and fundraisers, including our popular ‘Doga’ sessions—dog-friendly yoga events in partnership with MKE Yoga Social, benefiting local shelters like Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission (MADACC).

My background is actually in the music industry, where I owned a record label. I moved from NYC to Milwaukee in 2008 to work in my family’s healthcare business. Soon after, I began volunteering at the Wisconsin Humane Society, inspired by a desire to help underserved animals in the community. This experience, coupled with my passion for rescuing cats in my neighborhood, led me to dive deeper into animal rescue work. From there, I began offering pet care services, and what started as a personal passion quickly grew into Off Leash MKE. Today, we are a team of 17, and I balance my time between running the business and actively rescuing cats.

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?

Empathy – This is key when managing the needs of both my clients and team members. Being able to put myself in their shoes allows me to better understand their concerns and find the most effective solutions.

Open Communication – I believe in fostering open and honest dialogue, even when it comes to having difficult conversations. Clear communication builds trust and helps resolve issues before they escalate.

Accountability – Taking ownership of both successes and failures is critical. Mistakes are inevitable, especially when you’re navigating uncharted territory or creating something new. I believe in handling those mistakes with grace and turning them into learning opportunities to improve and grow.

What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?

My biggest area of growth over the past 12 months has been embracing the understanding that my journey is uniquely my own. I’ve come to realize that how and when I reach my goals is entirely up to me, and the only competition I face is with myself. Until recently, my focus was on growing my business and being ‘the best.’ However, this past year, I shifted my goal to prioritize happiness and balance. I recognized that I don’t want to work all the time—I value a proper work/life balance. As a result, I’ve spent the last year restructuring my business to operate in a way that aligns with my personal values and lifestyle.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Ren Lenhof at Studio 29 Photography
Jen at Dogs of MKE

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