A So Cal Girl in the Desert

I've really been slacking on the blog entries. For the first time since we moved here, I'm slammed busy!

Business is starting to pick up a bit since I hit the streets in Casa Grande. I went to all the groomers, vets, and feed stores I could find to introduce myself and drop off brochures and business cards. A couple of the groomers just about hugged me to death, saying they were in desperate need of a pet sitter in the community because they get referral requests all the time. Let's hope that's true and it starts to pay off. I also committed a cardinal sin. I took a client out of my service area. I've been scolded by my pet sitter friend, and I know it will be a detriment to me in the long run, but right now I just need to make some money! The other night, a bunch of neighborly dog owners were out on the grass in the courtyard of our apartment complex letting our dogs play together off-leash. The owners were chatting, and I mentioned that I own a pet sitting business. Everyone shrieked with excitement and begged me to give them my information. I've already booked a mid-day dog walk job that starts today and lasts for two weeks. If all goes well, the job will go on indefinitely. When we finally move to Maricopa I'll probably regret having taken Chandler clients, but for now, my clients are just a couple of steps away. I can always refer my clients to someone in my Arizona Professional Pet Sitters network, or maybe I'll be so busy I can hire someone to take care of my Chandler jobs. Think big, Kristen! Go International!

I've also been spending a lot of time getting our Maricopa Women in Business group ready for Founder's Day on October 15th. It will be the 2nd anniversary of the incorporation of the city, and should be a really great event. Our group will have a booth there with our individual businesses, and we are also volunteering to run a "Sports Throw" game booth. Man, is it a lot of work. I'm in charge of maintaining our group contact list and maintaining the volunteer sign-up sheet. Just getting the members' t-shirt sizes was a bitch! Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to help, but when you're dealing with a bunch of women, sometimes things can get a bit, well, nutty. I guess that's all I'll say about that.

In addition, I'm working on the initial proposal for the 1st Annual Maricopa Mutt March. Myself and two other dog lovers are planning a spring event to raise money for a dog park in our city, and we will be meeting with the Director of Parks and Rec. on the 25th of this month. I have a lot of work to do in order to get our ideas on paper in an organized and enticing fashion. I'm so excited about this, though. We're planning a huge dog walk designed around the platform of a competitive run, where you pay a fee and sign up in advance. There will be different walk routes so the pudgy dogs don't pass out, all the way up to a four mile loop. We're hoping to get pet-related business to come and set up booths at the finish line, as well as the Pinal County K-9 Unit for demonstrations and rescue groups to hold open adoptions. If we can pull this off, it's gonna be awesome!