Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Bejarano
Hi Stephanie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born in Mexico and moved to Los Angeles at a young age. Growing up as an undocumented immigrant, I faced a lot of obstacles, such as limited access to financial aid and uncertainty about my future. Despite these challenges, I earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering from CSULB. However, due to my immigration status, I was unable to work legally for several years. The Dream Act eventually gave me the opportunity to work, and during that time, I pursued IT certifications to bridge the gap in my career.
These experiences were difficult, and they impacted my mental health, leading to a diagnosis of major depression. In Mexican culture, addressing mental health isn’t common, but therapy and medication truly changed my life. My dog Nala played an instrumental role in my recovery. Caring for her introduced me to the concept of responsible dog ownership, something I hadn’t fully understood before.
After leaving my position at CSULB, I started volunteering at local dog rescues, fostering over 15 dogs and even rescuing a family of dogs from Tijuana. Along the way, I adopted two more dogs with medical needs, including Harley, who is battling cancer.
Post-pandemic, I was eager to return to the workforce and applied to multiple dog-related jobs. While I loved working with dogs at two different boarding facilities, I was disappointed by the lack of specialized care for large breeds and dogs with medical needs. This sparked the idea to start my own dog care business, focusing on larger breeds, senior dogs, and those with medical or special needs.
Launching this business has been incredibly fulfilling. I’m also passionate about helping the Hispanic community evolve in its approach to pet care. While I’ve been able to reach parts of the community on my own, I wanted to create a broader impact. To do that, I started hosting monthly dog pop-up events. These events focus on:
* Supporting local dog businesses by providing a platform for growth.
* Creating a safe, fun environment for dog owners and their families.
* Introducing dog owners to sports and activities that promote active lifestyles.
* Showcasing adoptable dogs from rescues.
* Promoting responsible dog ownership within the Hispanic community.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I have to say that it’s been a relatively smooth road. Since the start, I decided to take it slow and work out the kinks as they have come up and I think that has helped a lot. One big bump on the road has been learning how to market myself and my business.
We’ve been impressed with The K9 Hangout, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My passion for dogs has always been at the core of what I do. I’ve worked at two different boarding facilities, and while I loved my furry clients, I often felt the service fell short, especially when it came to caring for larger breeds and dogs with special needs. The lack of experience and understanding in handling these types of dogs motivated me to start my own dog care business, where I could provide the specialized attention they deserve.
I focus on creating a home-like environment where large breeds, elderly dogs, and those with medical needs receive personalized care. I keep my client base small to ensure each dog gets individual attention, and I regularly send photo and video updates to owners so they know their pets are in good hands.
Having my own space has also allowed me to return to my rescue work. I always reserve spots for fosters, whether it’s temporary or emergency cases, so I can continue supporting the rescue community. My business not only helps dogs and their owners, but it also gives me the flexibility to make a meaningful impact through rescue work.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
The dog industry is already huge and I don’t see it slowing down any time soon. A lot of us are now adopting dogs instead of having children. We no longer treat dogs as just animals, we treat them like our kids and they’re part of our families.
I think that change in perspective, will give way to more entrepreneurs starting their own businesses and making dog care less expensive.
Pricing:
- Daycare $50
- Small dog boarding starts at $65
- Medium dog boarding starts at $75
- Large dog boarding starts at $85
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thek9hangout.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/thek9hangout
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thek9hangout
- Yelp: https://yelp.to/PhUeK14aXk
Image Credits
Dogs Made Famous
