Today we’d like to introduce you to Pina Briguglio.
Hi Pina, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I founded Fauna Animal Sanctuary 4 years ago, after 8 years of working as a farm animal caregiver: mainly rabbits and later, birds, large ones, like ducks and chickens We formed a symbiosis. I offered them a safe and loving habitat, while they fed my soul and gave me life purpose, at a point where I had lost it.
Social media is to reward the fact that I got immersed in the animal rights world. I started to join groups, etc and I started to help other species of farm animals, like goats, cows, geese, etc.
Fortunately, I own 20 acres, by that time were 40, jointly with my ex-husband, which made me hopeful about expanding the size of the sanctuary.
I came to live in the USA over 15 years ago. I got married, and when the time came to find a job. I was not accepted. I was a financial professional in Venezuela. I wanted to continue my career here, I joined the Association of Financial Professionals and I got the CTP (Certify Treasurer Professional), and I was a candidate for a CFA (Certify Financial Analyst). It was not enough, headhunters rejected me because I did not have experience in the USA. By that time, It was the financial crisis of 2006.
Given that, I started to work at a small dental laboratory. I developed many skills I thought I did not have. This year, after all this time, I bought it. It is a challenge I love, I get to put in practice my formal studies: business, finance, and my learned skills to offer high-quality products.
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?
Oh no, at all. I have been struggling with funding.
In the beginning, I self-funded the operation, for the first 8 years. Spaying, neutering, vet care, food, and housing of over 80 rabbits, I still have my first rescued rabbit, she is over 12.
Then, after legally registering Fauna, I started to have some donations, but they are not enough, neither halfway of what is required. It is a constant struggle. I have to admit that I do not have the personality type to raise funds, and manage social media. I do not have patience for it. Besides, I work full time, so I haven’t had time to dedicate to it. And, we all know, money calls money.
I have been managing the dental laboratory for two months, so far, I love it. It has some challenges, I am still learning, and what I am scared of is the competition, and corporate organizations.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Fauna Animal Sanctuary is a nonprofit organization, which provides a permanent home to farm animals. What I think sets me apart, from many but not all animal sanctuaries, is the fact that I operate the organization pro bono, I do this because is my way to give, And second, I do not discriminate where the animal comes from. It can come from a cruelty case, or simply, from a person who is experiencing a life difficult, and in this case, I empathize with both, the human and the animal.
Ceramadent is a dental laboratory, which offers fixed dental restorations: crown, bridges, implant crowns, inlays, etc.
What I think sets me apart is I am a local, minority (woman and latina) small business, which I inherited the professional background, and with my experience in business, I started to take the lab to an upper level, going digital operationally. I have also close communication with the dentists, we offer custom shades, rush cases, etc.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.faunaanimalsanctuary.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fauna_animal_sanctuary/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FaunaAnimalSanctuary1
