We had the good fortune of connecting with Gloria Gutierrez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gloria, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
For over 25 years, I worked in a corporate setting across various industries including banking, entertainment, and real estate investment. But the 9-to-5 burnout was real, and I had grown tired of the corporate grind. I longed for a job that would provide me with a better work-life balance. One day while scrolling through LinkedIn in search of new opportunities, I stumbled upon Woofie’s – a pet care franchise offering pet sitting, dog walking, and mobile pet spa services. That’s when I had a lightbulb moment: I thought hey, maybe it’s time for a change. I loved the idea of working with pets, specifically dogs, and paired with my years of corporate experience, I thought maybe I can be “my own boss”.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Woofie’s is more than just a business – it is built on a heartfelt mission to provide unparalleled care for pets and peace of mind for their owners. That deeply resonates with me. As a business Woofie’s provides Mobile Grooming, Pet Sitting and Dog Walking but as a community member we partner with local rescues and provide free grooming whenever possible. The Woofie’s Pack is about cultivating a culture of caring, and we in fact care for all pets entrusted to us like they are own.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my friend was visiting, I would first do downtown LA. I would take them to eat at Perch so we could have a great dinner and amazing views of the city! Time permitting, I might also take them to eat at Bottega Louie just because again great food and beautiful desserts! While downtown a stop at The Last Bookstore is always in order! Another great are to take a visitor is Santa Monica. Walking Third Street, watching street performers and enjoying southern California weather and shopping!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would say my family deserves the most recognition. Starting a business has a way of taking over your world. Having my husband’s support as well as my daughters has made the task at hand that much easier. Before signing on, I had had a conversation with Amy Addington, the brand president, that truly sealed the deal. Amy not only shared my passion for pets, but also had a vision for building a compassionate, women-led company that would elevate the professionalism of the pet care industry. This only further confirmed this opportunity was the right path for me. And the most important would probably be the dedicated Woofie’s Operations team at Authority Brands. Each of these individuals has a genuine drive to watch all of the franchises succeed and it’s really at the heart of why we are such a successful emerging brand.

Website: Www.woofies.,com

Instagram: Woofiestorrance

Facebook: Woofie’s of Torrance

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