Today we’d like to introduce you to Mikaela Vargas
Hi Mikaela, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Growing up in such a pet-friendly city (San Diego) and loving dogs from an early age, I was naturally drawn to work with animals. I always figured the best route to get there would be as a veterinarian, but I did not have the science gene! I ended up majoring in Business Marketing and, while in college, also worked at a local doggie daycare and boarding facility. Once they learned that I majored in Business Marketing, they asked me to help with their marketing. Working in this environment for a couple of different animal-based businesses, I learned that many pet business owners and managers were overworked, stressed, and barely getting enough done to keep their businesses going, let alone even thinking about having free time outside of work. But, I also knew that many of them also lacked systems, brand awareness, marketing strategy, and online presences that could help avoid a lot of these issues.
I knew I would be most effective taking my pet industry marketing skills and combining it with my knack for organization and design to help pet business owners achieve true success, personally and professionally (WHILE also having time to enjoy life as a business owner!).
I started Pet Marketing Unleashed in 2017, and it’s been growing ever since. I’m so blessed to now have a team of 7 alongside me who are passionate about supporting small pet businesses through branding, copywriting, website design, and education. It’s a dream!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Of course not, but isn’t that part of the fun? I think, after being in business for 7+ years, I’ve learned that every setback, mistake, hiccup, etc. along the road is a learning opportunity. I’ve learned so much, and I’m so grateful for all of it. It’s all part of growing a business, and I think being able to look back and enjoy it is the best lesson. Of course, it’s easy for me to say that now, and I didn’t feel that way 100% in the beginning. In the beginning, it was HUSTLE mode with lots of bumps. But, I can say now… it’s such a fun journey and I wouldn’t have changed a thing!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Pet Marketing Unleashed?
We’re a branding and web design team passionate about supporting small pet businesses all over the world, but primarily in the United States.
Our work goes far beyond creating a stunning web design or logo. Any website designer can create a pretty website. Our job is to make pet business owners’ websites work for THEIR individual businesses, saving them time and helping them bring in the right clients so they can focus on building a stress-free business and life they love.
PMU was born out of the vision to bridge the gap between strategic, automated onboarding processes and well-designed websites to help pet business owners save time and live the life they’ve wanted to live since starting their businesses. By creating easy-to-use templates and high-value 1:1 services, we’ve taken the guesswork out of websites, client onboarding and other marketing elements.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I’m not a big believer in luck (the good or bad kind!). I think there can be coincidences or synchronicities that can be meaningful or perhaps can lead you down a road you’re meant to go, but ultimately action steps need to be taken to get you anywhere, right? I think hard work and persistence and the ability to trust your instincts can take you a long way in business!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://petmarketingunleashed.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/petmarketingunleashed
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/unleashedpetpreneurs
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/petmarketingunleashed/
