Randy Boyer

I run a business that I am extremely proud of. Even though there are many pet resorts in our area that are closer to Cincinnati, ours is one of the most popular in the tri-state area. People drive out of their way (and past other pet boarding businesses) to bring their pets to our facility.

I opened Country Lane Pet Resort in 2002. We intentionally only have one location because of the type of service we want to offer. Pet boarding is a cyclical business that peaks around vacation travel schedules. Our staffing requirements vary between 5-11 employees based on the number of guests.

I truly believe the services we provide make a difference in the world. We provide peace of mind to families so they can travel without worrying about their pet.

Here’s just a bit of what we can cover in our PivotPlanet sessions:
• Learn best practices for start-up, customer relations, operations and marketing
• Discuss different philosophies of pet care and the unique philosophy Country Lane Pet Resort practices
• Guest check-in responsibilities including client interaction, check-in procedures, inventory control, and guest introductions
• Review staff training materials and detailed procedures manual
• And anything else you want to ask!

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Prior to Country Lane Pet Resort, I spent more than 20 years in sales, print production, and marketing. I received numerous awards and recognition for my sales performance, but I never had a passion for the work. I did, however, glean excellent experience in sales and client communication, and those have served me well as a small business owner.

We pride ourselves on being a small, family-owned business. Although we often have a waiting list, I prefer to be an exclusive boutique pet resort. I’d much rather manage a high demand than dilute my services.

My business is different than many other pet resorts because we focus on the quality of care and not just profit. Our all-inclusive approach, resort layout and design all buck the trend of what others in the pet care business are doing.

As Owner of Country Lane Pet Resort, I wear many hats and unabashedly perform any duties required at the resort. Initially, more of my time was actually spent performing the daily caregiver tasks required for our guests; however, I now spend a larger percentage of my time in the office and being the face of Country Lane. My goal is to focus on my strengths and knowledge and not spend time doing tasks, such as lawn care, that I can easily outsource. A better use of my time would be to make a phone call to a client who expressed a concern during a recent visit.

A typical day for me involves significant client interaction, conducting tours, working on some form of marketing (i.e. website modification, direct mail marketing, etc.), new prospect phone inquiries, and overseeing sensitive client issues.

Country Lane Pet Resort is proud to be recognized for our outstanding pet care and have received the following accolades: Cincinnati Magazines "Best of the City", Angie's List Super Service Award, Pet Care Service Association's distinguished "Accreditation" recognition, and featured on local WKRC 55 radio "Pet Talk.”

Working for myself actually allows me more time to spend with my family and on personal endeavors than when I was in the corporate world.

I’ve learned some valuable lessons in my career, not the least of which is to never underestimate the importance of your staff. You are only as good as those who surround you.

Be willing to do what your competition is unwilling to do. Be observant. Look for opportunities to got he extra mile for your clients.

The kind of person who would be an ideal fit for this job is one who is not afraid of taking a risk. They should have a solid work ethic and an interest in animals.

The pet boarding industry is growing quickly and the industry continues to be extremely rewarding financially. More importantly, you can truly make a difference the lives of people and their pets.