Today we’d like to introduce you to Genie Kazyaka.
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 earned my bachelor’s degree in dietetics and spent a handful of years in the field after graduation – only to realize that working as a dietitian was not for me. I was fortunate enough to be able to take some time off and figure out what I wanted to do with my career. During my time off – on a whim – I applied to an entry level position at my cats’ veterinary office. I started as a kennel attendant, cleaning up after and caring for the dogs, cats, and other small animals that had to stay for the day or night. After just a few short months, I absolutely fell in love with the work and the animals. I began petsitting on the side for friends and family, which led to other referrals. I felt like I was finally hitting my stride so I took the plunge and started petsitting full-time in 2022. It’s now four years later and I haven’t looked back. I still absolutely love what I do and all the animals I care for, and can’t wait to see what the future holds – hopefully more pets to love on!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
As with any (Michigan) road, there were definitely some bumps and holes along the way. I learned from many mistakes and continue to reflect each and every day. The learning curve for owning a business was steep but I spent countless hours researching how to better myself and my business. I even attended an accelerator program that helps educate and empower small business owners and gained invaluable knowledge that has already been used to further my business, and my career as a professional petsitter.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Genie’s Pet Sitting LLC?
I founded Genie’s Pet Sitting LLC in July 2023. I offer in-your-home professional pet care, including drop-in visits, private dog walks, and overnight stays. I’m fully insured & bonded, pet CPR certified, and utilize a Fear Free approach with all animals. I specialize in senior pets and pets with medical needs, although I have clients of all ages and health levels. I pride myself on detail-oriented, compassionate care, with an emphasis on excellence. I’m most proud of how passionately and carefully I have built this business, and how that shines through with every service.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I’m equally proud to be neurodivergent as well as nonbinary. I don’t typically share that with clients as I never thought it was professional to be so personal. However, I find it increasingly important to be my authentic self. Authenticity and honesty are cornerstones of my business’s foundation and have helped me build lasting relationships with my clients. If my visibility helps even one person feel less alone, that’s worth more than any notion of ‘professionalism.’
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.geniespetsitting.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/genies_petsitting?igsh=am5veWVydDd5dHJ5
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1bef9gij4g/
- Yelp: https://yelp.to/M0K20SfLI_
