Boss Mama Story: For the Love of Dogs!

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Ohhh my gosh, I cannot wait to share this story with you. Meet Cala—one of the hardest-working, most determined mamas I know.

Background Story

I first met her back in 2018 (give or take) when she moved into the townhouse next door in our little Upstate NY town. She had her sweet little family in tow, and her fiery toddler (who kept us all on our toes) was just about two at the time. Cala was bartending full-time at the local pub—and when I say everyone in town knew her, I mean everyone. That bar was the spot, and Cala was the heartbeat of it. She was building a reputation without even realizing it—one that would carry her straight into her next big chapter about six years later…

Here’s what you need to know about Cala: she is grit and heart wrapped up in one powerhouse mama. She worked long shifts behind the bar, raised her little girl, and kept home life running smoothly all at the same time. And through it all, she was putting everyone before herself. That’s why I have to brag on her now—because dang it, I’m just so freaking proud of this Boss Mama.

Fast forward to 2021. I was gearing up for my move down south, and Cala and I would chat about her dreams of leaving bartending behind. She lit up when she talked about creating something of her own—a doggy daycare. One day she decided to test the waters on Rover. And wouldn’t you know it? She fell in love with it.

But here’s where it gets wild. Not only was she running around all day caring for pups (sometimes literally with her newborn strapped to her back while dropping her older daughter at school), but she was still bartending nights. Talk about hustle. Talk about mama strength. That’s what we do—we make it work.

Her big vision was to build her doggy daycare right on her property, right next to the dream home they were putting up so she could continue being the rockstar Mom that she is and not have to travel far for work. Win-win! However, life had other plans. That vision didn’t pan out, and it was heartbreaking. But if you know anything about mamas like Cala, it’s this—we don’t quit. We pivot. We cry, wipe our faces, and keep it moving.

And that’s exactly what she did. Not long after, Cala called me with the most exciting news—she bought a piece of property. She gutted the place, brought in local contractors, and built her dream facility. From the ground up. I was screaming with excitement for her.

One year later, Cala owns the leading doggy daycare in her area. Business is booming, she’s expanding, and she’s just getting started. She’s got the kind of brain that never shuts off (same, girl, same)—always full of ideas, always chasing the next goal. I admire Cala so much because she doesn’t just dream—she moves. Watching her turn ideas into action is incredible. And at the heart of it all is her kids. They’re her fire, her fuel, and the reason she keeps pushing for more.

I can’t tell you how much I love celebrating women like Cala. It lights me up. Championing other mamas is why I started this blog in the first place. We’re all building, growing, and figuring it out together. And it’s about time we shine the spotlight on women who are crushing it—not just as business owners, but as Moms, too.

So grab your coffee, cuddle your pup if you’ve got one, and dive into Cala’s story below—you’re going to love it.

Oh! And don’t forget to go give her a follow on socials. It’s such a joy to see how happy these pups are every day! She’s absolutely crushing it.

• Facebook
• Instagram
• TikTok
• Snapchat
• Link

Your Story

We love a good origin story, but first, give us your short + sweet intro!

“I run a doggy daycare, boarding, and grooming facility. We’re a unique part of the dog community, offering large-group play experiences that set us apart.”

Every boss mama has a ‘day one.’ What was yours?

“I started caring for dogs 10 years ago when friends and family trusted me—and knew how much I loved their pets. I began with a dog-walking business that quickly grew, and over the years, I worked my way up to opening a facility where the dogs started coming to me instead.”

Which came first—the business or the babies? Tell us how your family + business journeys intersected.

“It started before I had kids, but I used my daughter as both motivation and partner in my success—naming the place after the two of us.”

We know it’s a wild ride—tell us how you’ve balanced building your dream biz while raising your crew. The good, the tough, the real.

“It’s a challenge every single day, but I keep an open book with my kids—talking them through it all, showing that the hard work benefits them too, and teaching that dedication and determination take time.”

What’s one obstacle you’ve overcome?

“I’ve gone from doubting myself to exceeding my own expectations. My kids are my biggest motivation—they need me to show up every day, and so does my business, which makes finding balance a constant challenge.”

Your Business

Tell us your superpower—what’s your product, service, or special offering?

“We offer group-play doggy daycare, boarding, and grooming services.”

What’s the magic that sets you apart?

“I keep a very clean, highly organized facility with systems in place for every day-to-day interaction.”

*I can attest to this—Cala, like me, is incredibly organized and keeps all her spaces, including her home, perfectly tidy. Running her facility and caring for these pups is no different.

Spill the tea — any big milestones, press shoutouts, or launches on the horizon? 

“We hit our goal in the first year and decided to give back to both our business and community by launching a mobile van service starting this month. The service offers pick-up and drop-off for dogs, drop-in visits to care for pets at home—including walks—and transportation to vet appointments.”

* How unique is that?! Talk about setting yourself apart. I’m so incredibly proud of her.

Give us a Day in the Life of being both Mom and CEO!

“I wake up, get my kids ready, fed, and out the door to school. Then I grab a coffee and dive into 10–12 hour workdays—minimum. Between work, I shuttle the kids to sports, handle bedtime routines, and sometimes go back to work—either in person or remotely—once they’re in bed. I don’t sleep much these days.”

Advice for Mompreneurs

What’s the single best piece of advice or favorite tool you’d share with other mamas building their businesses?

“Keep pushing—your kids need to see that Moms can make it happen too!”

What’s been your biggest challenge juggling motherhood and running a business?

“Feeling like you can’t give 100% to either.”

What’s your approach to balancing business and family? We love the real, unfiltered stories!

“Sorting through each days to-do list—what truly needs to get done versus what can wait, both at work and at home.”

Looking back, what’s something you wish you had known before starting your business?

“I wish I had realized how essential employees are—they can truly make or break your business.”

What tool, resource, or habit has completely changed the game for you?

“Word of mouth and social media are huge. Every interaction matters.”

What mindset shifts have helped you keep going during hard seasons?

“That eventually, I can work less and be able to take my kids on vacation without worrying that it costs more than I earn.”

What words of encouragement would you give a Mom tempted to give up on her business dream?

“Taking care of babies is intense, but once they’re around two, it starts to get easier. Hormones can be out of whack for a while, but you get yourself back by not giving up on yourself and being honest with your kids about needing breaks and having parts of life that are more than just being a Mom all the time.”

This little town in Upstate NY really needed a business like this. Cala followed her passion and filled a gap in the market. Now she gets to live the dream of loving what she does for work—something not many of us can say. I love you, friend. I’m so beyond proud of you. Keep on shining and chasing your wildest dreams.

Don’t forget to give her a follow on socials and cheer her on too!

• Facebook
• Instagram
• TikTok
• Snapchat
• Link

I’d love to feature more Boss Mamas like Cala. If you know someone who deserves the spotlight, please reach out and send me their info here. And hey, if that’s you, I love a little self-brag too! Send me your details so we can shine the spotlight on you as well.

Here’s to all the incredible Moms juggling a million things—keep shining bright, cheering each other on, and building the life you love!

Ashley

Friendly Note: I’m simply sharing my journey, experiences, and lessons learned as a Mom in business. This isn’t legal, financial, or professional advice. Always check with a qualified pro for guidance tailored to you.