We’re looking forward to introducing you to Madison Berrones. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Madison, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
The internal cogs that make Dog Sitting Company special.
Our goal from day one was clear. Even with our years of pet care experience, we studied the pet and house sitting industry as a whole and could clearly see where things were lacking. This is a business that requires an extreme level of trust, and more importantly, that trust must be earned. Most people are apprehensive or concerned about having strangers in their home caring for their pets. We decided early on that we were going to build a system that mitigates those concerns as much as humanly possible so that clients would be more at ease.
Some of the processes we have developed were obvious from the start, and some came from trial and error. Over time we have learned and developed the best practices for the types of services our clients truly desire.
Part of those best practices comes from the way we recruit, hire, and manage our sitters to ensure our team is always on their A-game. At the end of the day, a company is only as good as its employees. And when it comes to caring for the most precious things, your beloved pets and home… providing impeccable service is a must, whether that’s making sure the home is meticulously maintained or regular pictures and updates are being sent to clients.
Major mistakes can never be made. In many ways we are like airline pilots. Every flight must be perfect. Unexpected turbulence can happen, but a good pilot will always be ready to keep passengers comfortable and safe.
Most importantly, above all else, it all comes down to the love and care of our clients’ pets. What could possibly be more rewarding?
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
First and foremost, we are lovers of animals and care deeply for them. We couldn’t provide the highest level of pet and house sitting services otherwise.
At Dog Sitting Company, it is our mission, pride, and joy to provide and deliver premier pet and house sitting services to our exceptional clientele.
Our work is rooted in reliability, trust, and detailed care. What makes our company stand out is the attention we give to our internal processes and communication. From the way we onboard our team to how we interact with each client, everything is designed to run smoothly and provide peace of mind.
Clients know they can reach us easily and trust that their pets and homes are in capable, caring hands. Every part of the client experience is intentional. We’re not just providing a service; we’re providing an elevated standard of care that makes clients feel secure and supported while they’re away.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
I was very fortunate, having grown up in a household and around family that were self-made, independent business people. I think witnessing a strong work ethic my whole childhood certainly had a major influence on me.
Both my parents have been service providers with their own businesses for over 30 years. Many of my aunts and uncles had their own businesses, and some family members inherited small family businesses and turned them into successful nationwide companies.
Being surrounded by these positive influences has taught me how to be resourceful, how to dig in, and never give up when things get tough.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Some things must be learned the hard way. Whether in life or business, there will always be hardships one must confront. Sometimes you have to work through trial and error. Learning and growing from missteps or unexpected events will teach you how to prepare for the future. Working through tough times can also be the most rewarding form of success. It means you know your hard work paid off.
It’s hard to bask in your glory when you get things easily, and you’re more likely to take the easy earnings for granted. It’s important to remember the precious moments of hard times, because when you see the light at the end of the tunnel and you see your seeds become a harvest, no one can take that away from you.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
A lack of professional consistency.
Since the start of this company, we wanted to be impactful in a way that was instinctively different from what other companies in this field are doing. We found that most pet and house sitting services miss the mark when it comes to providing the service people truly desire.
You basically have two types of service options in the industry. The main service option people have available today is the Uber/Lyft model, which has little oversight and no management of any kind. You have to sift through thousands of sitter profiles and cross your fingers that the person is amazing and that they show up. And what is your back-up plan if they don’t show up or are unable to work for some reason? Your options are limited and often unreliable.
The other mainstream service option is the tried and true mom-and-pop business model. However, that model is just as limited, with small teams of one to three people at best. When those types of small services get booked for the holidays, you could be left out in the cold with few options.
Our mission is to bring service excellence to our clients, as well as disrupt the status quo mindset of an industry offering very few high-quality, reliable options.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Just like it takes a comedian 10 years to hit it big, the same is true for most businesses.
There is so much work involved, even at the granular level, that people in general and even our clients do not realize what is happening behind the scenes in our day-to-day operations.
I learned early on that if your efforts are remarkable or worthy, then they will be publicly recognized. Not that they need to be publicly recognized, but you cannot work on something without having such a passion for it or such a will to do it that you need any kind of external validation. I have explored many things, whether they be creative pursuits or business projects, and if I am not driven to do it, I will not do it.
With that being said, because I strive for excellence, I don’t need anyone in my external sphere to know that I am striving for that excellence. The excellence is the context of what I want this company to operate from. Everything comes from the top down.
When I am completely committed to a project that demands excellence, even when no one is looking, I cannot help but perform at my highest level.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dogsittingcompany.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dogsittingcompany
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dogsittingcompany
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dogsittingcompany
