Women-Owned Business Series: Adrienne of Animal Loving Care

This week, we interviewed Adrienne at Animal Loving Care about her experience growing a business and its relation to the incredible community that surrounds her. ALC offers grooming, boarding, daycare, and walks for the furriest of neighbors. After starting out as a facility manager, Adrienne worked her way to the top to fire the passion she had for the company’s mission. Read what she has to say about female entrepreneurship below!

First tell us about your business and anything special we should know about it or you.

I am the owner of Animal Loving Care — a Doggy Daycare and Overnight Care Facility as well as Dog and Cat Spaw at the end of Court St., just before Hamilton Ave. We have been in business for over 12 years caring for the dogs and cats of the neighborhood! Our team is comprised of over 20 women 💪💪💪

Tell us a little about your background and why you feel a connection to your work.

I started as a manager for the business, simply because I have always had a feverish love for animals, while I was still working freelance as an editor. Two years later, I had helped the former owner move into a larger space, and a year after that, I bought it from her when she moved to Hawaii to retire. I fell completely in love with owning a small business in a wonderful community, and taking care of people’s pets gives you a connection to their lives that is really very special.

We’d like to know about your experience within your community. What community do you identify as being part of ? Why did you choose the neighborhood your business is located in, if you have a physical location? How have you become involved within your community?

We are on the end of Carroll Gardens and just before Red Hook. I live in Columbia Street Waterfront. It’s still a bit quiet on our end of Court St in terms of business and foot traffic, but that changes year by year. I like being part of what makes it a vibrant section of the neighborhood.

What advice would you give to young women who want to start a small business?

Experience matters. Give yourself the time and opportunity to work in similar businesses, gather your ideas, and learn from others.

What woman inspires you and why?

Other female small business owners, because we are doing the hard work and putting it in every day!

What do you think are the most significant challenges for women business owners or women in leadership positions?

Being seen as an authority figure. Even though my name is on the commercial space and business license, I’ve had people question that I am the owner along the way, from contractors to city officials, and even employees.

How do you motivate yourself and stay motivated?

The passion to continue succeeding in doing something I love.

Being a small business owner means relying on your community to support you and getting involved within your community as well. In what ways do you feel supported and actively engage with your neighborhood of residents and other business owners?

In so many ways, but a prime example was during the height of the initial stages of the pandemic, my brand new commercial space was broken into and all of my groomers’ equipment stolen. We posted about it on social media and the community rallied around us so hard. We were able to replace everything with their support. We ended up doing a give-back day where we groomed dogs for anyone who supported us or said they could use the help financially at that time. We groomed over 60 dogs in one day!

Click here if you’d like to learn more about Animal Loving Care – you can even buy a gift card!!