Today we’d like to introduce you to Derek Duran.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I actually started pet sitting as a side gig about 10 years ago. I read an ad for pet sitting that asked, “Do you love dogs? Do you love walking? Do you want to get paid to love on dogs?” I answered an enthusiastic, “Yes!” to each one.
I never set out with the intention of building a pet-care company. But as my client base grew and word of mouth spread, pet sitting slowly became my career focus and eventually, my calling.
I soon realized I couldn’t do it all myself. More importantly, I realized that if I wanted to build something truly dependable, I needed to create a team and a system that could provide the same level of care whether I was personally there or not. That became the foundation for Houston Pet Sitters.
Over time, we’ve built HPS around the idea that pet care should be professional, dependable, and simple for the client. We’ve developed training, systems, accountability, and a trusted care team around what we call The HPS Standard™.
We’re not just pet sitters or dog walkers. Our clients don’t have to depend on one person’s availability to receive great care. We’re building a company of professional Pet Care Specialists who are prepared, supported, and committed to getting it right the first time.
Today, my priority is continuing to build a company that people can genuinely trust with the pets they love. Because ultimately, our clients aren’t just hiring someone to walk their dog or check on their cat. They’re trusting us with someone incredibly important to them. At the end of the day, it’s not just about the visit or the walk. It’s knowing their pets are in good hands.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Like everyone, there have been ups and downs.
One of the biggest challenges in business has been learning how to work *on* the business instead of constantly working *in* it. There was also the challenge of transitioning clients from trusting me personally to trusting the team I was building around them. That takes time, and it takes proving that the standard of care doesn’t depend on one person.
We’ve also had to figure out what systems work for us as we grow. Something that works at one stage of a company doesn’t necessarily work at the next, so we’ve had to continually adjust and adapt.
For the most part, though, it has been a great experience, and I’m genuinely grateful for the bumps in the road. Some taught me to slow down, some forced me to find a new route, and some simply reminded me that the road isn’t always going to be smooth.
Learning to adjust, adapt, and roll with the punches has been a big part of the journey. I think those experiences have made me a better business owner and have helped shape HPS into what it is today.
We’ve been impressed with Houston Pet Sitters, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Houston Pet Sitters is a professional pet-care company focused on providing dependable, consistent care through a trained and supported team of Pet Care Specialists.
We provide pet sitting, dog walking, and other in-home pet-care services, with an emphasis on making the experience simple and dependable for our clients. We bring together personalized care, professional training, clear communication, thoughtful systems, and a team that works together to provide a consistent experience for both pets and their people.
What sets HPS apart is the structure we’ve built behind the care. Over the years, we’ve developed training, systems, communication, accountability, and team support around what we call The HPS Standard™. It’s our way of defining what professional pet care means to us and creating a standard that every member of our team can carry into the homes and lives of our clients.
I’m especially proud of how HPS has grown from one person providing pet care into a professional company built around a team and a shared standard. We’ve been able to bring more professionalism and consistency to an industry that is deeply personal, while still preserving the personal connection that makes caring for someone’s pets so meaningful.
At the heart of HPS is a simple belief: great pet care should feel personal, professional, and dependable. We’re proud to bring all three together for the pets and people who trust us.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
I don’t think I have one single favorite childhood memory, but one that has always stayed with me was when I was about seven years old and my Tío Hector and Tía Dora brought me along to pick out their new dachshund puppy.
I remember being excited on the drive there, knowing we were going to bring home a puppy. They let me choose which puppy from the litter would be ours, and I picked Lucky.
Lucky went on to have a wonderful life and lived for 15 years. I still remember how special it felt as a seven-year-old to be given the honor of choosing the puppy who would become part of our family.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://houstonpetsitters.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/houstonpetsitters/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Houston-Pet-Sitters-61573128946834/
