Today we’d like to introduce you to Denise Einkauf.
Hi Denise, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Denise Einkauf started Waggin’ Tails Pet Ranch in 2005 on 15 acres of land in Fulshear to provide a fun “Ranch” environment for pets to have a “vacation” while their owners are away. Denise graduated with a BS in Animal Science and BS Biomedical Science from Texas A&M and knew animals were her passion. Waggin’ Tails started as a 7600 Sq Ft building with 110 boarding spots and 10 play yards with a filtered pond and has grown to almost 14,000 Sq Ft building with 150 boarding spots, 23 play yards, the pond and a full sized in ground bone shaped swimming pool! Denise added a sister location, Waggin’ Tails Animal Inn, in Richmond in 2020 and now has over 50 employees who work at both locations. Denise and her husband, Derek, believe in giving back to the community they live in. They support many charities including: Fulshear Police Foundation, Fort Bend Animal Services, PAWS (Pets are Worth Saving), Katy ISD, Lamar CISD, and The Ballard House. The Ballard House is a hospitality house in Katy that offers free lodging to anyone traveling to the Houston area for life saving treatment. Waggin’ Tails and The Ballard House have a unique partnership where either location of Waggin’ Tails will board pets of the guests staying at the Ballard House at no charge for the past 12 years. Denise also serves as Vice-Chair of The Ballard House, Past Chair of the Katy Chamber and as a board member for PAWS. Waggin’ Tails has won US Chamber of Commerce top 7 America’s Small Businesses in the US, Business of the Year for Katy Chamber, Fulshear Business of Year, the BBB Pinnacle Award and many other “Best of” Katy, Fulshear and Houston awards.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There have been many struggles along the way including growing pains, adding a second location and COVID. The hardest thing we have dealt with was adding the sister location 6 weeks before everything was shut down for COVID. So, like many businesses, Waggin’ Tails had to pivot and be creative since we are so closely tied to travel. We got PPP grants and were able to keep both locations open and keep all of our staff working- it was difficult but worth it. We expanded in home training, training videos, curbside drop off options and smaller classes of daycamp and training. This helped all of our staff keep busy and do extra dog handling training and have more “dog” time.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Waggin’ Tails is one of the largest all -inclusive family owned/operated luxury Pet Resorts in the Houston area. We have over 50 employees and can board over 320 dogs per night between both locations. We offer Boarding, Grooming, Daycamp, Training and specialty retail. We are one of the only family owned and operated facilities with owners living on site. We are proud to be known by both our employees and our clients as their “Waggin’ Tails Family”. When we meet any new clients- we welcome them to “our family” and we mean it!! All pets and clients are treated like they are at their home away from home. Waggin’ Tails also prides itself on its support of our community. Denise’s belief that people want to do business with Businesses that do good and she instills that in her employees too. Waggin’ Tails supports the community by partnering with local charities like The Ballard House, Fulshear Police Foundation, and Fort Bend Animal Services, donating over 40 auction baskets each year, sponsoring local sports teams and FFA students, and by taking care of the Fulshear Police K9 Officer at no charge. Denise and her employees also donate many volunteer hours to these organizations as well.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I actually started out by going and meeting/visiting other pet service providers in our area before I started. I also worked with local veterinarians to get input as well. For networking- I joined my local Chamber of Commerce and then eventually got on the Board of Directors and then serving as Chairman. As a former teacher- I partnered with FFA as well as the local high school career center to help mentor students wanting to pursue a career in animal care. This led to many networking opportunities through the school district as well as sponsorship opportunities like school auctions, carnivals and sports events. Waggin’ Tails also networks with the veterinarian offices as well as many of the neighborhoods that are close by.
Contact Info:
- Website: waggintailspetranch.com
- Instagram: waggintailstexas
- Facebook: @waggintailspetranch
- Youtube: waggintailspetranch788
