Today we’d like to introduce you to Ross Rolando.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
It all started when Joe Perry and I adopted our first dog Sophie. We quickly became obsessed with her and not long after, got our second dog, Bailey. When we realized how much our dogs had changed our lives, we decided that we would try and start some sort of business that would allow us to include our dogs. As luck would have it, some very good friends of ours, Carol Weber and Gail Stine, were thinking the same thing.
In Sept. of 2011, Frisky Dog Daycare and Boarding opened. Frisky Dog also has full service grooming and training. The entire facility is more than 19,000 square feet. This includes, not only a 9,000 square foot outdoor yard, but also large indoor play areas used for winter and bad weather.
Has it been a smooth road?
Some of the challenges of opening this type of business is hiring the right people. We surrounded ourselves with people who knew as much, if not more, about dogs than we did. They helped us to set up policies that would not only maximize the safety of the dogs, but also helped set up our day to day procedures. It really was a group effort by everyone in the beginning. We owe a lot to those people who helped us build our business.
Another challenge is helping our clients understand doggie daycare. We all love our dogs as if they were our children and just like children, dogs are not all the same. This kind of environment is not for every dog. Sometimes we have to explain to clients that their dog may not be a good fit for daycare. This does not mean that the dog is a bad dog. We do our best to accommodate many types of dogs, but some of our “kids” have different needs.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Physical activity and mental stimulation are important to the growth and socialization of our dogs. Dogs spend their day with us playing in groups that are separated by size and temperament. All of our play groups are supervised by trained techs to ensure safety and fun. Besides daycare, Frisky Dog also offers boarding. Boarding dogs also get to experience the excitement of our daycare program. In addition to daycare and boarding, Frisky Dog offers full service grooming and training classes.
I’m most proud of our staff’s commitment to the clients and their dogs. Our employees have always went above and beyond. Some facilities charge extra for one on one time with client dogs, but our employees love the dogs as if they were their own.
What sets us apart from most doggie daycares is our large outdoor play yard. It is unusual to find a facility that has the kind of space we do. Our yard is all turf so clients will never go home with a muddy dog. During the summer there are pools and misting stations to cool off in, as well as play equipment to run and play on.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
The Chicago area is a great place for a doggie daycare because it’s a dog friendly city. Dog owners here take great pride in their pets and their care. We really do have well educated and caring clients.
Contact Info:
- Address: 9216 W. 47th St. Brookfield, Illinois 60513
- Website: friskydogdaycare.com
- Phone: 708-290-1056
- Email: info@friskydogdaycare.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/friskydogdaycare
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