Two years ago, Alison Chan, a recent graduate from law school, faced a dilemma: she was advised to leave her full-time job in order to succeed in the bar exam. However, giving up her income wasn’t feasible, as she had financial responsibilities including a car payment, rent for her one-bedroom apartment in Chicago, and expenses for her adopted papillon chihuahua mix, Addy.
Already outsourcing the task of walking Addy through the pet care platform Rover, Chan had an idea. She decided to take in dogs for boarding at her South Loop residence as an additional source of income while preparing for the bar exam. After creating a profile on the app, she started looking after unfamiliar dogs.
Chan’s journey in dog care has spanned three years, and she managed to earn $32,000 on Rover in the year 2022, according to documents examined. Her projected earnings for this year amount to an average of $3,750 per month.
A portion of her earnings, approximately $250 each month, is allocated towards purchasing dog supplies such as food, treats, and beds. This practice, Chan explains, contributes to her ability to command higher rates compared to her counterparts in the South Loop area.
Her dog-related side venture allowed Chan to retain her full-time job, introducing an extra income stream while preparing for the bar exam. Presently, she is employed full-time as a remote paralegal, using her Rover earnings to cover monthly expenses, and saving her salary from her primary job directly into her savings account.
“When I reviewed my tax filings last year, I came to realize that my side gig was essentially a second salary,” says Chan, who is 29 years old.
However, her dog-sitting endeavor didn’t instantly blossom into a lucrative pursuit. The following sections detail how she cultivated her reputation and clientele on Rover, along with the techniques she employs to manage her secondary occupation alongside her full-time career.
Setting boundaries
Having been exposed to dogs and cats since her childhood, Chan describes her journey in establishing a viable business structure, which consumed approximately eighteen months. In the initial stages, she priced her overnight stay services at around $35 for pet owners. However, it wasn’t long before she recognized that her rates were comparatively lower than those of neighboring competitors.
Regrettably, a substantial portion of the earnings wasn’t directed towards her profit margin. Chan found herself personally covering expenses for necessities such as pet food, dog beds, and toys. Additionally, Rover’s platform deducts a 20% service fee from each transaction conducted by sitters, as outlined on its website.
She also needed to establish clear boundaries, a lesson she gained from a challenging experience. On a previous occasion, a client’s dog managed to chew through its carrier and left a mess in her apartment.
Presently, before accommodating a new pet for boarding, she initiates a comprehensive dialogue with the owner. This series of questions includes inquiries such as whether the dog is accustomed to being crate-trained, any history of aggression, and the ability to stay alone for up to three hours at a stretch.
Establishing a routine
After meticulously vetting the animals, they are allowed to roam freely within her apartment during her working hours. Chan’s dog-sitting commitment can span up to 40 hours weekly, although a portion of these hours is relatively passive, particularly within the 9-to-5 timeframe. During these hours, the dogs have the liberty to sleep, engage with toys, or interact with each other while Chan is engaged in her remote paralegal responsibilities.
To ensure minimal interference with her full-time job, she has designated three two-hour windows for drop-offs and pick-ups—early morning, lunchtime, and after work. During these breaks, she engages with the pets and provides updates to their owners. Reflecting on her journey, she acknowledges that she didn’t initially grasp the extent to which she could establish her own guidelines and standards with her clientele.
By introducing structure to what she refers to as the “chaos,” Chan has successfully established a routine, fostered client relationships, and justified raising her rates. The results have been notable: her Rover income almost doubled between 2021 and 2022, with a continued increase in monthly earnings this year.
Currently, Chan charges approximately $80 per night for boarding services, accommodating up to three dogs (excluding her own 8-year-old dog, Addy) in her apartment. Through Rover, she extends her services to include dog walks, in-home visits, and even “nannying” dogs at clients’ wedding events.
While the supplementary income on a flexible schedule is undoubtedly advantageous, it’s the bonds formed with both the dogs and her clients that motivate her to continue this side endeavor even after successfully passing the bar exam, which she intends to retake this month. “I have a consistent stream of income, and relinquishing that wouldn’t make sense, especially when I’ve already established a loyal clientele,” Chan explains. She adds that her clients and their beloved pets have grown to feel like an extended family to her.
Source: cnbc.com