Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamie Cupps.
Jamie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was born and raised in Houston and since I was 4 years old, I wanted to be a veterinarian and work with animals. My godfather, Neil Chastain, DVM was my inspiration to be involved with animals. I have worked in the animal industry for over 20 years. After working for others and seeing how they would succeed and ways I would do things differently, I made the decision to open up my own business. I was ready to take on the challenge because I knew that I could provide the quality service pet parents were looking for. In January 2013, the doors of Paws Pet Resort first opened for business and in late-spring 2018, we will open our new expanded facility next door to our current location.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Opening up a business is never smooth, but the rewards that come with helping people and pets have been amazing. When I made the decision to open up my own business, I was most concerned about if I would fill the building with clients. I opened with 5 dogs and knew in order to stay in business I had to increase the number of clients. The financial stress of not knowing what the future would hold weighed on me daily. However, without spending any money on advertising, Paws Pet Resort was over capacity 6 months after opening. Customers would share their positive experiences with their friends, and our client base expanded rapidly. I knew that as long as my focus was on loving and caring for the wonderful dogs, all the surface bumps of starting and owning my own business would work out and they did.
The key to operating a service-centered business like Paws, is maintaining a staff that is capable of carrying forward my vision and expectation every single minute. This is always a challenge, as people move and progress but when I hire staff, I always ask if I would want them working with my four-legged babies. When applicants come in, they think they are getting to cuddle and play with cute fluffy dogs all day. However, caring for pets is hard work. I have created a more refined on-boarding training program so staff is prepared for all that comes with working at Paws. Additionally, the dogs at Paws help during the hiring process. They have amazing instinct and a way of communicating their approval.
The weather in Houston can be a challenge on its own. We have experienced several weather-related challenges over the 5 years but the most significant one was, Hurricane Harvey. When Harvey hit in August 2017, I had 42 dogs in boarding. That is 42 lives that were counting on me to keep them safe. Not only did I stay up at Paws the entire time Harvey impacted Houston, but I also made the decision to open up our doors 24/7 for evacuees with pets. Shelters were not all accepting pets, and we had electricity and did not flood.
My most recent obstacle was the desire to serve even more clients. As I looked at larger buildings, I kept in mind that I did not want to go too far from our current GO/OF neighborhood. As time passed, I never found exactly what I wanted, but I continued to pray and ask God to open doors for me. In the summer of 2017, the opportunity to purchase the larger building right next door came up and I could not let it pass. It was exactly what I was looking for – I could expand to grow my client base while maintaining my existing customer family. Every challenge has a reward.
Please tell us about Paws Pet Resort.
Paws Pet Resort is a comprehensive boarding, day care, and grooming facility located at 3425 Couch Street just east of Ella and north of 34th street in the Garden Oaks/Oak Forest area. We have won #1 for boarding/daycare and grooming in the The Leader’s Readers Choice awards for 5 years in a row. We utilize a state-of-the-art cleaning system to ensure that our dogs are in a clean and safe environment while they are here. Paws is most widely known for our outstanding doggie day care and boarding services. While a dog is with us for day care and boarding, they get to play with others, socialize, run, rest, and play. They leave each day tired, happy and loved. What more does a pet parent ask for? When a member of our Oak Forest/ Garden Oaks community posts a question about where to take their dog for day care or boarding on social media, the outpouring of recommendations for Paws is humbling. Those recommendations are a direct result of our focused customer service and love for what we do. I hear all the time that our customers truly feel like their pets are our pets. At Paws, we celebrate with our customers during their happy life events, and we mourn with them during the down times. Our customers are our family. There have been many times that I have gone with a customer to an emergency vet hospital during the night to hold their hand and provide guidance, love and support. I have cried along with pet parents as they watch their four-legged family member pass over the Rainbow Bridge, and then I have celebrated at the next adoption into the family. I don’t do those things just because they are customers. I do those things because I love the families, and have always felt called to make a difference in others’ lives. I am so honored and blessed to get to do that every day at Paws.
Along with the positive reputation for our work, I am also most proud of the work we do with various rescue organizations. We partnered with Leslie Hilendahl with Scout’s Honor and Denise Bailey with Houston Chow Chow Connection to help care for dogs that are waiting for their forever homes. We host adoption days, and help nurture dogs who have been through such traumatic experiences back to being happy, sociable pets. When I look into the eyes of a dog that has gone through anguish and is now healthy and peaceful, I know I am in the right business. There is nothing like helping a living being transition from helpless and ragged to happy and loved in a new home, knowing my staff and I played a significant role in that.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I have many wonderful memories from my childhood. The ones that stand out the most are the ones with a horse named, Sun. As a child, I attended Holly Ho horse camp in Picayune, MS every summer for four years. After the first 2 weeks, I would call my mom because I would not want to come home but stay for more time. I would beg her to send more money! The horses were so gentle and I learned how to care for them, ride, and race. I was so proud of getting to hold the flag in the entry parade with Sun. I had such a connection with all the horses and that reaffirmed my desire to work with animals for the rest of my life.
Pricing:
- Daycare packages start at $20.00 and go up to a 30-day package for $400.00
- Boarding ranges from $15.00 to $45.00 depending on weight
- Grooming ranges from $20.00 to $40.00 based on weight
- Extra services include nail grind, and teeth brushing, range from $3.00 to $15.00
Contact Info:
- Address: 3425 Couch Street
Houston, Texas 77018 - Website: www.pawspetresort.net
- Phone: 713-636-9715
- Email: pawspetresort@yahoo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pawspetresorthouston/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Paws-Pet-Resort
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/paws-pet-resort-houston
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