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

Hi Natalie, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
The idea for Pup of the Party came from my own experience! As a bride-to-be myself, I wanted to find a way to involve my dog in my wedding without having family or friends get stuck with dog-sitting duties on the big day. While looking for solutions online, I realized that others felt the same way about wanting their dogs in their wedding, but there weren’t any solutions to the dog-sitting part, and boom—Pup of the Party was born! I’ve noticed a growing trend in weddings where more couples want their dogs to participate in their special day, so the demand is there. I have always been the biggest animal lover, and this felt right, combining my personal experience and love for dogs into a business concept.

Now, the name for the business came from a play on words. Everyone has heard the saying “life of the party,” and I wanted to put a fun spin on that to make it catered towards dogs because, at the end of the day, they really are the pup of that party.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I’d love to tell you more about Pup of the Party! We specialize in caring for dogs during our clients’ biggest life moments, such as engagements, weddings, big parties, or any other event where a pet owner would like their dog to be present. Our goal is to provide the dogs with the care, attention, and safety they need, allowing the client to be fully present on their special day, without the responsibility of “dog sitter” falling on a family member or friend.

What sets us apart is our commitment to giving back to the community. We donate a portion of our profits to local animal shelters and rescue organizations, supporting their efforts to care for pets in need. This is a huge driving force of our business model because there are so many deserving dogs that benefit from donations, and by doing this, we feel like we’re helping the dog community. Plus, my dogs were rescues, so this mission is also personal. Aside from our donations, we offer a range of services beyond our core packages, including social media content creation, coordinating overnight dog hotel stays, and even finding the perfect attire needed for the occasion. You can think of us as your dog’s plus one. If you need help with anything for your big day that involves your dog, we’ll be there to help make it happen. Our goal is to offer high-quality services that cater to the needs of both pets and their owners. You can find all of our packages and services listed on our website!

Getting to where I am today has been a journey! Life is strange in how it twists and turns, and you never know what’s coming next. I worked in corporate America for years, and I could feel it sucking the life out of me, although I am grateful for the skills I learned. I always had a bit of an entrepreneurial spirit, and I wanted to do something that I had a passion for and that I could call my own. I wouldn’t say getting to where I am now was easy, but it was necessary because, without my past experiences, I wouldn’t have been led to this very moment, where I am happily my own boss and doing something I enjoy.

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is the importance of being able to adapt and stick to something. The business landscape is constantly changing, and being able to pivot and accept that you won’t always know what’s coming has been super important. I also remind myself that life is not that serious, and we’re not here building rocket ships. We’re just making sure dogs and their parents can make awesome memories together.

I want the world to know that Pup of the Party is built on passion, a genuine love for pets, and innovation. We’re dedicated, we work hard, and we are committed to making a difference in the lives of dogs and their owners. We believe that every pet deserves the best, and our services ensure that dogs can be pampered and present during their owners’ life moments, ultimately enhancing their quality of life.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love hosting friends and family who visit us from out of town! In general, I just enjoy being out and about in this city and showing guests what LA has to offer.

If a friend were coming to town, I’d start by making reservations at some of our favorite spots, including Bacari, Matsuhisa or Nobu, Mastro’s, La Scala, and Spumoni. The list can go on! Of course, we’d have to take them to the plethora of cute coffee shops and grab a staple Erewhon smoothie to get the full “LA” feel. Honestly, there are so many fantastic dining options here; it’s always tough to narrow down where to go!

LA has some incredible shopping centers that offer a unique hangout experience, unlike any others I’ve seen outside of California. Recently, Sportsmen’s Lodge has become a favorite, along with the Westfield Topanga and Century City malls. We’d aim to squeeze in an iconic LA hike (if our guests were up for it), visit Malibu Wines or Stonehaus Winery, perhaps explore a museum or two, and unwind with drinks by the beach. If an artist is performing in town that weekend, we’d definitely consider adding that to our itinerary to ensure they experience some nightlife during their trip as well.

This city and the Southern California region have so much to offer. We’re lucky to live here and get to share it with others when they visit!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Where do I begin?! Obviously, the love and support from my family have been huge in my decision to venture into this new business. It’s never easy to step into the unknown and try something new, but knowing they’re behind me 100% of the way allowed me to find the courage to get out there and just do it. I know they’ll always be there to encourage me, even if things don’t go as planned. Of course, my amazing fiancé plays into this as well. We’re together day after day, and he saw the wheels for this business idea spinning since its conception. He has always been my number one fan since the day we met, and knowing that he will always have my back is the safest and most comforting feeling. This journey of starting my own business wouldn’t have been possible without his encouragement and positivity.

Lastly, I’d like to recognize my dogs and the others I’ve come across in my lifetime for building this love for animals within me. I couldn’t imagine a world without dogs, or animals in general. The joy my animals bring me when I walk in my front door, or the happiness I get when I see a dog out in public, is unmatched. They truly are the best little creatures, and this whole business concept started as a way to make sure they don’t have to miss out on big life moments alongside their human parents. Plus, they get to be spoiled and pampered (which they entirely deserve!) during the festivities too.

Thanks to everyone who has been part of this journey!

Website: https://www.pupoftheparty.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pupoftheparty/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/pup-of-the-party-san-fernando-valley-2?utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)

Other: Gmail: hello@pupoftheparty.com

Image Credits
Claudia Pena and Tavish Ryan

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