Meet Ruby

We recently connected with Ruby and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ruby, so happy to have you with us today and there is so much we want to ask you about. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others developed certain skills or qualities that we are struggling with can be helpful. Along those lines, we’d love to hear from you about how you developed your ability to take risk?

Risk is when you’re not in control of all the factors that are crucial for your success, but you can reduce the risk by doing your best and giving your maximum effort in the areas that depend on you. You have to be prepared for it to be tough, for you to want to give up, and for your personal life to suffer. You will need help along the way, but you have to endure the effort, do the hard work, and most importantly, keep your vision alive and believe in it.

Opening Monty’s Dog Beach & Bar in new locations, especially across different countries, came with its fair share of risks. The biggest challenge we faced was navigating the complex and often unfamiliar regulatory environments in each location. In the U.S., for example, we had to adjust to entirely different laws and regulations, which delayed our opening. However, we took these risks head-on, adapting our business model and strategies to meet the specific requirements of each region. It wasn’t easy, but we viewed it as an opportunity to learn and grow, and we’re incredibly proud that we’ve been able to establish a thriving business despite the challenges. The risk of expanding internationally also meant learning how to manage a team across different time zones, cultures, and work environments. But the reward has been worth it—we now have a multi-location brand with a loyal following and a growing community.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m the founder of Monty’s Dog Beach & Bar, a family-run business that combines a love for dogs with a beachside escape for their owners. We specialize in providing an all-inclusive beach experience where dogs can play, swim, and even enjoy homemade dog ice cream while their owners relax with a cocktail in hand. Our mission is to create a space where pets and their owners can truly enjoy their time together at the beach in a safe, fun, and relaxing environment.

What’s most exciting for me is seeing how Monty’s has grown from a single location in Croatia to now having four locations, including our newest in Long Beach, California. Each location is unique and has its own charm, but the core of what we do remains the same: fostering a sense of community for dog lovers. I’m especially proud of our Long Beach location, which is the first to be open year-round, allowing us to connect with our community all through the year.

This year marks our 10th anniversary, and we’re reflecting on how far we’ve come and looking forward to new ways to grow and engage with dog lovers everywhere. We hope our brand continues to be a place where dogs are treated like family and owners can unwind in a carefree, dog-friendly environment.

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?

Transfer of knowledge from past experiences has been invaluable. Every challenge and success I encountered before starting Monty’s helped shape how I approached this business. My previous experience in the pet industry gave me insight into what pet owners want, how to create a welcoming environment for dogs, and how to run a customer-focused business. My husband and I had already built a successful pet business before Monty’s, and those lessons were crucial when starting something completely new. For those just starting out, my advice is to reflect on past experiences—whether from work, education, or even personal challenges—and apply those lessons to new ventures. Skills are often transferable, even if they don’t seem directly related at first.

Ambition is what keeps you pushing forward. Without it, it’s easy to stay in your comfort zone and avoid risks. For me, ambition meant setting big goals, expanding into new locations, and constantly finding ways to improve Monty’s. If you’re at the beginning of your journey, dream big and don’t be afraid to go after what you want. Surround yourself with people who challenge and inspire you, and always look for opportunities to grow.

Fearlessness is what allows you to take risks, step into the unknown, and push past self-doubt. Expanding Monty’s internationally was a huge leap, and there were plenty of uncertainties, but my husband—who is also my business partner—played the biggest role in making our American dream a reality. He was the one who took the lead in opening our Long Beach location, navigating an entirely new market, unfamiliar regulations, and all the challenges that come with expanding a business to another continent. His unwavering belief in us, his determination to figure everything out, and his ability to tackle every obstacle head-on gave me the confidence to take the leap with him.

My advice? Take smart risks, trust yourself, and don’t let the fear of failure stop you from trying. Challenges will come, but the biggest growth often happens when you step outside your comfort zone. And if you’re lucky enough to have a partner who’s willing to take on the hard stuff and make things happen, appreciate them—because big dreams are built together.

For anyone starting out, focus on learning from past experiences, stay ambitious, and be fearless in pursuing your goals. The journey won’t always be easy, but if you believe in your vision and keep pushing forward, you’ll find your way.

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

Over the past 12 months, our biggest area of growth has been finding the right balance between efficiency, financial sustainability, and meeting both the objective and subjective needs of the business. We’ve worked on creating a strong understanding of how to navigate customer expectations and employee needs while ensuring the business remains financially viable. It’s been a learning process in managing demands from both sides—keeping customers happy, supporting our team, and making strategic decisions that keep the business running successfully.

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