Hello! I’m Maisie, owner and CEO of Walking Pawz. (Not your average CEO, I’m usually covered in dog hair, slobber and smelling of kibble!)
I am however your typical dog lover, I have grown up with multiple dogs in my household and it goes without saying, I have loved them my entire life.
The story of Pawz started back in March 2020. I had an office job and I was desperate to escape the 9-5 life for a fulfilling career with dogs.
Rewind to March 16th 2020, I decided to hand in my notice and start my own adventure – Pawz was founded.
My plan to launch and start a successful business was halted – and very abruptly at that! 7 days later the world went into a national lockdown. One hour of exercise outside each day. No mixing with other households. No travelling.
I spent lockdown researching, reading, learning and educating myself all about handling dogs. I launched a Facebook page (I remember have 6 likes and being over the moon), I drew up some leaflets, some A4 posters and I signed up to EVERY possible dog related content on the internet.
I spent 5 months with no clients, dropping leaflets door to door everyday ready for when the world opened again. I hung posters and walked dogs for free whilst listening to podcasts on their body language, how they communicate and so on.
It was a real cold start up business (that everyone tells you not to do on a good day) but right in the middle of a global pandemic.
What I learned from all of this was the dog walking world was completely unregulated. There are no specific guidelines, tests, insurances or checks that need to be had or done for you to become a dog walker.
There my passion was set alight. I wasn’t just a business owner, and I wasn’t just a dog walker, I was someone who wanted to enthuse change. To create rules and regulations in an unregulated industry. I wanted people to know that when they were handing over their pets it was to someone who knew what they were doing, someone who could be trusted to look after their family member.
My first professional walk was August 1st 2020 and fast forward to now, Pawz has a team of 6 full time dog walkers, 2 full time pet sitters, over 310 dogs registered and around 1,000 walks a month happening. A lot of steps.
The team at Pawz are all just as passionate as each other to build a business that is recognised for its love of dogs, it’s professionalism day to day and its aspiration to inflict change to an industry.
In 2020 I turned what I loved, into what I do and I’ll never look back. 🙏🏼 I hope I can use my platform within this industry to create positive changes, all for the benefit of your dogs.
I hope I get to meet you soon.
Much love,
Maisie @ Pawz
