Today’s Notable Young Entrepreneurs are Lauren Hugh and Trevor Pease, who launched Toronto’s Ramble and Rescue to offer dog owners an unparalleled walking and care service for their pets that also gives back to a worthy cause at the same time…
[ad_bb1]
WORK
1. Describe what you do in less than 140 characters. Go.
We provide custom care for dogs of all breeds and sizes across Toronto. We also donate $1 from every walk back to rescues.
2. What was the inspiration for your career route?
We both grew up with countless dogs of different breeds and crazy personalities, so we probably know all too much about dogs. When we rescued our beagle, Sadie, we began the hunt for a dog walker as we were both working full-time. After interviewing four companies, we were running out of time and had to make a decision so we settled on the last company.
Within weeks we realized we couldn’t count on them. She had a rough life before coming to us and we wanted to get her the best care possible. We also knew we weren’t the only ones out there who felt this way. After doing some research, we also couldn’t find a single company in Toronto that consistently gives back to rescues. The lightbulb didn’t just go off, it exploded, and we knew what we needed to do.
3. What is the most memorable milestone in your career so far?
Every month is a new milestone for us! The last day of each month we look through the calendar and tally up how many walks we did and each month the donation amount goes up. As of March 2015, we’ve given back over $1,500.
4. Where do you see yourself in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years?
The dream is to get an amazing piece of property just outside of the city and create the Ramble Ranch, a place where our clients can come play during the day, board while their owners are away, and where we can bring rescues in for some TLC.
5. Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
If you’re really looking to kickstart your drive and ambition, find a cause that speaks to you and create a job that allows you to give back. Hustling has a whole new meaning when you know it’s not just about you.
6. Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is it (or they) important to you?
We select a new rescue organization each month to donate back to. So far we’ve donated to Bernard’s Beagle Rescue, Save Our Scruff, Dire Woofs, TEAM Dog Rescue, Black Dog Rescue and Canine Haven. We also organized a massive holiday drive and gave out baskets of supplies to 13 different rescues across the GTA.
7. What is one major challenge that you’ve had to overcome in your career? How did you overcome it?
Dog walking is a very competitive industry in Toronto, and we knew that going into it, but we agreed from day one we aren’t going to be cutthroat about it. Good things take time and we aren’t going anywhere. It’s not about the money, it’s about the impact.
8. What does the word notable mean to you?
Something worth sharing.
PLAY
1. Where is your favourite place to wine/ dine in your city and why?
We love a good patio. I think the people at Big Crow are starting to recognize us.
2. What’s the most visited website on your Internet browser? The most played song on your phone?
Amazon. The amount of tennis balls and poop bags we go through. Oh, also car cleaning products… that’s a whole other situation.
3. Who’s one person you think everyone should be following on social media?
@animalhopeandwellness. Forewarning: his photos are upsetting but they’re important. Marc Ching is helping dogs in Southeast Asia from a darkness no one can comfortably speak about. He is truly fearless.
4. What’s your favourite country to visit and why? And what’s the next one you plan on travelling to?
Costa Rica. After seeing that article about the park with 900 strays in Costa Rica, we’d go back tomorrow.
5. What gives you the greatest FOMO?
When Trevor sends me links to dogs available for adoption. It’s just cruel.
6. What’s your guiltiest pleasure?
Food. For sure. Thank god we get so much exercise because our Costco trips get mildly insane.
7. What’s something you wish you didn’t spend so much money on? What’s something you wish you spent more on?
Food. However, most days we wish we’d gone to get a massage.
8. And finally, what does success look like to you? Work, play, or otherwise…
Success is waking up every day and realizing you’re doing exactly what you want to be doing. Having a solid partner in crime to experience it with is the cherry on top.
[ad_bb2]