5 days ago
West Lothian woman's business venture proves the pawfect solution to work woes
'I just quit my job on the Monday by the Friday I was working full time by myself'
A Livingston woman who was fed-up with the 9-to-5 world of work came up with the paw-fect solution by launching her own business.
Mya Sweeney was working in a corporate estate agents but decided to make the break and start-up a new small business providing 'reliable and loving care for people's pets' of all shapes and sizes.
The 22-year-old's Pawfect Days with Mya is now offering a range of services from dog walking and home boarding, to small animal and reptile care, as well as pet check-ins and taxi services.
Mya from Eliburn, a former pupil at James Young High, explained: 'I was working full time basically, with a corporate estate agent – just two months ago, you can imagine what that entailed. It was pretty boring, computer stuff.
"I'd done some volunteering in the past working with animals and thought it was so much fun.
"I've always had animals and I've always been good working with them.
'I've a dog of my own called Peanuts, and my mum has two dogs. We've always had dogs.
"I'd just got to the stage where I thought my physical and mental health just couldn't take sitting in an office on a computer any longer, so I just quit my job on the Monday by the Friday I was working full time by myself."
Mya's business took off and she soon decided to increase the selection of available services on offer.
'I've just built it up over the past two months to where it is now.
'It was through word of mouth at first, then I got some flyers printed and I had some nice people that helped me put them around and do some social media marketing and stuff.
'I started off with dog walking and pet sitting, then I added cats and different types of walks,' said Mya. 'I'm learning as I go and offering more as I go along.
'I'm covering most of Livingston, so wherever the dogs live I do a bit of research and see if there's a secure field where they can freely run, or a nature walk nearby.'
Mya is steering clear of neighbourhood walks, as she's more likely to come across other people's dogs and can't always tell how they will react.
So far she's only had any issue with one little dog she was asked to take care of, who had never been on his own before, but Mya insists he's 'all good now' once they got to know each other.
Mya is already looking to enhance her business by finding herself more suitable transport, she's currently using her car.
'Even though it's only been going two months I'm getting busier and I need a van,' she said.
However, if Mya thought getting away from the restrictions of an office would give her more free time, she was mistaken - but she is enjoying being her own boss.
'I'm working seven days a week now. I've quit a 9-to-5 job to work 24/7,' Mya joked.
'It's honestly so much better. I'm always outside now and my brain is clear, it doesn't feel much like work.
'I'm looking to connect with more pet owners who are looking for a trusted, caring hand. I'm excited to welcome new clients with open arms and wagging tails.'
Pawfect Days with Mya is on Facebook and Instagram.
