Today we’d like to introduce you to Jackie Broom.
Hi Jackie , please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Ever since I was little I have had a passion for dogs. The joke is that since we weren’t allowed to have dogs growing up I have overcompenated later in life by having upwards of 6 dogs at a time in our house😊
I had gotten connected with Missouri Pitbull Rescue a few years ago here in KC and started falling in love with the big dog rescue community here.
We have owned all kinds of breeds from Great Danes to little daucshounds but Pitbulls have a special place in our heart after we adopted our 1st senior pitbull who was my husband’s spirit animal.
Needless to say my passion is for helping shelter dogs and promote breed awareness. I wanted to find a way to both help promote shelter dogs while also allowing them some enrichment and exercise to break up thier day in a kennel.
The idea for Dawg Trax came after my husband saw some companies that had Mobile Dog Gyms. “You should do that!” he said. And it’s like the light bulb went on. What a perfect solution to helping promote and provide extra attention/exercise to shelter dogs.
So we bought an old party bus and converted it into a Mobile Dog Gym with 2 self propelled slatmills built in to provide the dogs of KC a climate controlled way to get exercise and enrichment during the cold/hot/ rainy days we have here.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I don’t think starting a business ever is a smooth road. The only certainty in entrepreneurship is uncertainty but I feel if you believe in your idea and stand firm in your mission faith has a way of helping you along the way.
There were signs that this is what I was called to do and so you have to remember that feeling when faced with obstacles and challenges.
When we were designing the inside of the bus we noticed that the slatmills were to far off the ground so we ripped them out and redesigned it so our slatmills do not require dogs to jump onto them or be lifted onto them. It is much safer and more comfortable for them to be able to walk right onto the slatmill.
When you rely on a vehicle there, especially a 1998 Ford e350 bus there can be surprises. Things break, battery goes dead etc but you just leave to go with the flow and keep the bus moving, as is in life.
People see videos of dogs on the slatmill thinking every dog is going to enjoy it. We learned that is not the case. And that is perfectly normal. Some dogs are anxious, others unsure and yet others take to it right away. I tell clients you never know until you try and some dogs may need several appointments to work up to walking on the slatmill. Every dog is different and we meet them where they are at.
We’ve been impressed with Dawg Trax, 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?
We are a Mobile Dog Gym servicing the greater Kansas City area.
We bring our bus right to your driveway to provide exercise and enrichment in a temperature controlled environment. Our bus is equipped with 2 self propelled slatmills. Which means the dogs can go as fast or slow as they want to go. They have control.
We are different in that our slatmills are lowered into a platform so the dogs can simply walk onto them without having to jump or be lifted. We have a bench seat in the back for owners to hang out on the bus to watch thier dog during the session if they so chose.
I want our brand to stand for not only improving the health of all dogs through exercise but also to understand our core mission is in helping promote Shelter dogs. We do this by taking the Dawg Trax bus to local shelters to give them a break from the kennel and then promote them on our social media in the hopes they find a forever home.
People can also donate Dawg Trax sessions through our website to help us provide more sessions to shelter dogs.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Challenges and obstacles are going to happen. Have faith in yourself and your mission.
Be able to pivot when necessary.
Know your strengths and outsource to help with the things you are not as strong in so you can focus on the business itself.
Pricing:
- 30 min session -$60
- 60 min session/multiple dogs -$90
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dawgtraxusa.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dawg_trax
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dawgtrax
