Melissa Mitchner connects pet professionals with pet owners & offers pet care services in NYC

My name is Melissa Mitchner and I am a curator of opportunities. I am the founder and CEO of The Bark Shoppe in New York. I connect pet professionals with pet owners to foster a healthy relationship by offering pet care services (grooming, boarding, daycare and dog walking).

How do you generate new ideas to stay relevant on the market ? Is it important to innovate your space?

I often look outside my industry to see what successful models and systems are used in other industries and how I can apply that to pet care. It is extremely important to continuously innovate. The pet care industry is growing faster than the economy, so I have to keep my foot on the gas.

If you were a book which one would it be?

Between the World and Me by Ta- Nehisi Coates/

What is your biggest dream ? Why ? Describe your biggest vision for your business

My biggest dream is to continue to use my company as a platform for people to develop skills and utilize their gifts to enhance other people's lives. A space for people to connect, build a relationship and spread smiles. My biggest vision for my company is to create a international brand that has elevated the infrastructure of the pet grooming industry by providing aspiring and current pet groomers with the skills to successfully succeed and share their gifts with others globally.

What sacrifices have you had to make to be a successful entrepreneur?

I would say at times my personal life take a hit, I don’t get to go to every brunch, family function or go on every girls trip. I would say I am definitely working on finding balance and ensuring that I’m around more for the people I love because they refuel me. I’m also very conscious about the price of everything for example I’m not buying $500 shoes or sneakers because that could be my phone + internet (lol). As an entrepreneur you just look at every part of life differently because you know that you are making sacrifices for that one life changing YES.

How far are you willing to go to succeed?

I’m willing to go to the end. It’s important for me to see my business evolve. I’m not afraid to step aside and create with the smarter people in the room. I know at some point my position in the company will change. However I would never do anything out of integrity because there are no shortcut to success. Entrepreneurship is a long game, when everyone else is tired, that’s when you accelerate.