Today we’d like to introduce you to Brenda Jorgensen.
Brenda, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
When I founded The Bushy Tail in 2015, my goal was to re-imagine pet boarding for bunnies and other exotic pocket pets. As a bunny owner myself, I realized that there were few options for pet care when it came to traveling, and I wanted to provide a better alternative.
This realization led me to create The Bushy Tail, a pet hotel in Minneapolis, Minnesota for bunnies, guinea pigs, chinchillas, hamsters, and other furry exotics. Each guest gets a spacious and quiet condo to stay in, enriching activities to engage with, a selection of toys and treats, and course lots of love. We take care of every critter as if they were our own. Whether you’re gone for two days or two weeks, your pet will be safe with us!
Bunnies are considered exotic animals and require specialized care that differs from the more common cat and dog family members. Relying on unqualified people to take care of my bunnies while away on vacation was risky, as most people may not know how to handle certain situations. As a bunny mom myself, I would be worried about easily overlooked signs and sudden changes in behavior that might require special attention that said person may not immediately recognize. Similarly, leaving bunnies in traditionally uncomfortable dog or cat boarding kennels may not be ideal, as the environment could be too loud and stressful for them.
Ever since I was a child, my love and passion for pocket pets have been a fundamental part of my life. I never dreamed that this would turn into such a rewarding and fulfilling part of the pet community. It has also blossomed into an Etsy shop where I make and sell adorable, handcrafted enrichment toys that bunnies and other pocket pets can enjoy. Overall, The Bushy Tail provides a much-needed alternative to traditional pet care options for exotic pets and ensures that owners can travel with peace of mind knowing their furry friends are in good hands.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The coronavirus pandemic hit The Bushy Tail pretty hard, as it did with many small businesses. Our services cater mainly to pet parents who travel, but with the pandemic, not many people were traveling from early 2020 through around spring 2021. To make matters worse, I had just quit my normal 9-5 to focus on The Bushy Tail becoming my full-time career. It was a big leap of faith, and I was feeling confident about it, especially with the traffic our business was getting. But it was heartbreaking to see every reservation, one after another, getting canceled due to the pandemic.
At first, I was ready to give up and close down The Bushy Tail. However, with the help and support of my partner, I decided to use the extra free time to create The Bushy Tail’s Etsy store. I poured months and months into designing bunny toys, going through prototypes, taking and editing photos, and creating listings. It was a lot of work, but it paid off with over 1,000 sales, 25 listings, and over 350 positive reviews since 2021!
Then, as things in the world started to calm down, people began to want to travel again. Reservations started flooding in, and our bunny and guinea pig condos started filling up once more. It was a challenging couple of years, but I’m grateful to have persevered. I’m excited to see so many new and old furry friends come to visit and play with us at our pet hotel this year!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At The Bushy Tail, we specialize in providing premium pet boarding services for bunnies and other exotic pocket pets. Our approach to pet care is unique because we recognize that these animals have specific needs and require specialized attention.
I’m most proud of the fact that we’ve been able to create an environment that truly caters to these pets, providing them with spacious and quiet condos, enriching activities, and plenty of love and attention.
What sets us apart from others is our commitment to providing a personalized experience for each pet in our care. We take the time to get to know each animal and their individual needs, which allows us to provide exceptional care and attention to detail.
Additionally, our Etsy shop has gained a reputation for creating some of the most adorable and high-quality handmade enrichment toys for exotic pets, which has helped us stand out as a leader in the community.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My advice for those who are just starting out is to take the time to understand your niche and your audience. When I started The Bushy Tail, I spent a lot of time researching the unique needs and behaviors of rabbits and other exotic pets, as well as the specific concerns of their owners. This allowed me to create a service that was truly tailored to the needs of our clients.
Another piece of advice I have is to be open to adaptation and change as you grow. When I first started The Bushy Tail, I had a very specific vision in mind for what the business would look like. But as I started to get feedback from clients and learn more about the pocket pet community, I realized that certain things needed to change for us to become successful. Being open to feedback and willing to make adjustments has been the key to our growth and success.
Finally, I would encourage anyone starting to focus on building relationships and creating a strong support network. Starting a business can be challenging, and having people around you who can provide advice, encouragement, and support can be incredibly valuable. Don’t be afraid to reach out to other business owners in your field or join networking groups to build connections and learn from others.
Pricing:
- Single Bunny- $18
- Bunny Pair- $25
- Single Guinea Pig- $12
- Guinea Pig Pair- $14
- Rodent(s) – $10 ($12)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thebushytail.net
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/thebushytail.net
- Other: www.etsy.com/shop/thebushytail
Image Credits
The Bushy Tail
