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Howdy! I am Lisa the owner and founder of Puppy Dawgs and Cat Tails. We are located in the historic downtown of Brenham Texas - yes home to the best ice cream ever, Blue Bell - as well as the other B's like bluebonnets, baseball and Blinn College.
I had always wanted a store of my own - it has been my dream for over 20 years. I, like most of you had to go through some tough times to get here though. After caring for my grandmother until her passing - I inherited some money needed to open my "dream" store.
In March of 2014, my family and I were taking a stroll in downtown Brenham and came across a store space that was available for lease - I think my heart skipped a beat! I grabbed my cell phone and snapped a picture of the sign - went home and starting thinking, planning, contemplating, obsessing, praying, etc. After countless nights of no sleep - I decided it was my time! I had raised my daughter single handedly while in high school at 17, cared for my father (role model) that was dying of cancer and then as of recent cared for my grandmother until her passing, all while caring for my son, too. IT WAS FINALLY MY TIME!
The renovation starts! Removal of 5 layers of flooring - YES 5, many trips to the dump, painting the horrible walls, cleaning, hiring an electrician, planning, purchasing, marketing, etc. it was in full swing.
On June 9th, 2014 - we opened our doors! OH what a happy day!! I remember my face hurting because of the continual smile that wrapped my already round face. :)
It was the best - it felt like home, finally the hard work, hard times in my life, depressing voices I heard from so many people (pet store, what? You know how many pet stores in Brenham have failed) had come full circle. Might I add so many times I wanted to give up - oh so many but IT WAS ALL WORTH IT now! I am reminded of a great mantra I have heard - if you love what you do then you will never work a day of your life. This is very true.
As I continued doing what I do, just being me - my business starts growing. I should add I opened my business 55 miles from my home and knew no one - not a soul, but I knew in my heart this was where I was supposed to be. Scary, yes! Lonely, yes! Difficult, definitely! Tiring, extremely! BUT I KNEW IT WAS RIGHT! Eventually days with no sales started being fewer and only a bad memory in the past. I started surrounding myself with people that were positive and encouraging. I told myself I could do this - I put on my big girl panties and pressed on!
Business continues to grow and the word starts spreading "there's a pet store in town"! As my business grows I am overwhelmed with the compliments I start receiving - "All great, as usual." "Our favorite store in Brenham." "We love this store and Lisa." "Must stop store on our way through Brenham." "Worth the trip. Nice people. Warm and inviting." "Our pets love their treats from here. Friendly service with a smile."
At our 1 year mark - our anniversary to our grand opening the retail space next to me becomes available. I ponder. I discuss my thoughts with my Landlord - he agrees with my vision. We expand. So here goes more renovation.
At the end of July - the expansion is finally finished - spent more money than planned, several weeks past eta BUT the plastic comes down and the new side of the store is revealed. I'm like a kid in the candy store! I will forever remember my sweet son's words when he saw the expansion for the first time, "Wow mom, you have a real store!" I think hmm, not sure exactly what I had before but okay - I'll take it! As a momma, it feels good to hear your child compliment you - I'm all grins!
Business goes on as usual. Continually meeting new customers, friends (2 legged and 4), meeting my demands - getting by, all is well!
Then on Wednesday, September 15th my life is changed. I am gut wrenched. Literally I feel like I am going to die. My hard work - gone. No warning. I am given a termination notice from my Landlord with 15 days to vacate the premises. I respectfully refuse to use this venue to post the reasons why. Now for most of us - this is never good news but for a retail store that is a few weeks out from our "make it or break it months" - this is HORRIBLE. I feel like I have been ran over by a train!! What? How? Where? Numb! Speechless!
All the money I spent making the store be my vision - my dream, the multi layers of flooring, painting, prepping, renovation, all at my expense. The hand painted logo on my doors, the art work on the walls - gone - now seemingly for nothing.
This is my livelihood! Not a hobby! This is how I support myself and my son! This is how I live! How can this be happening?!? Two weeks before the shopping season begins! Two weeks before Round Top (the largest Antique/Junk Fair in Texas)! I just decorated for fall! I just redid all of my windows! I just.....I am speechless! My heart hurts. I feel an omnipresent lump in my throat and my gut! I literally feel sick. No sleep - I just wander around aimlessly often thinking, what are you doing? Why did you do this? Doubting everything inside of me. I am empty.
I call a close friend/Realtor - crying! What am I going to do, I ask? What? I can't take care of myself. Everything I have I invested in my store - everything! She calmly says, "Lisa I don't know how or what, but it is going to be okay - I feel it. Something good is going to come out of this!" I sigh, I breathe in disbelief! How? I reply with I have nothing - I express again, EVERYTHING I have is wrapped up in my store! I drive a vehicle that is 14+ years old with 250,000 miles on it, I live simple - to beat the statistics that most businesses fail within the first 5 years, I wear clothes from Target, I'm not dripping in jewels nor interested, I live a clean and simple life - I am just me.
I breathe...I sit in my store looking around crying. I am broken. I am hurt. I am useless. I feel fake, smiling as you, my customers walk in acting as if everything is okay. I'm vulnerable. I'm open.
Now 12 days and counting.....my friend/Realtor finds a storefront for me to move to. I look. I panic. I totally freak out and have no peace. I am still in shock. Landlord says no pet food. I think I'm going to give up! I 'm not sure there is anything left to do. I give, I bend and tell her, "whatever I have to do - I'll do it". I guess there was a little "fire" left in me. Thank you Dad for that - you see even though he's not here, he is. I saw his struggles in life, being a pastor, giving everything he made to those in need, his unconditional love - until he eventually lost his battle to cancer. Thank you.
Then as the calmness comes back I think - what about you - all of my customers that I have had the privilege of meeting, welcoming me into your lives, hearing the numerous stories of your struggles, your children (both the 2 legged and 4) - what about you? What about the pets that I have met and fallen in love with that won't have the proper nutrition they need. What about the numerous customers that come in to just feel the contagious warmth they receive by entering my store. I feel a huge since of abandoning all of you - my incredible customers!!!! What about the pets that won't get the donations needed for their survival? What about the rescues and non-profits that won't get the recognition they deserve and crave to survive? It is real! Very!
So yesterday as I saw each and every one of you - lots of regulars - I am encouraged! I smile as I am reminded of one of my many favorite movies, You've Got Mail, where Meg Ryan has this precious little "Shop Around the Corner" and it is struggling because the big box discount store is opening near her. I'm invigorated! I can do this! I need this as much as Brenham does. This is just as much your store as it is mine! I can't close! I can't give up! I have to keep pressing forward! I have to! There is too much to lose - I won't let my Landlord steal my joy! I won't let him take my last breathe. I won't let him take me down to his level - I won't. He will get his storefront back but he won't take me down with it! There is too much at stake!
I plead my case to the kind lady that owns the building where I am wanting to move - this is the only building available in downtown Brenham. She and the listing agent pray for me! I need to carry pet food. I have worked too hard to get where I am. I am once again vulnerable. I need this, please. She kindly agrees and once again my vision has been redeemed.
Does it mean it won't be tough, nope! Does it mean there won't be struggles, nope! Does it mean there won't be bad days, nope! Contrary! It will - it is!!! The struggle is real and it is staring me in the face! I need help! I need money to do light renovation to a building that is over 100 years old and part of Brenham history. I need money for deposits, rent and to move. I need manpower to lift and move. I need a licensed electrician. I need a licensed contractor to lay flooring and make openings in walls. I have great needs and have 12 days and counting! My deadline is Wednesday, September 30th at 5pm. Please help. Please give up that cup a coffee for a day or a week to help us. Please eat at home one night instead of eating at that fancy restaurant. Please carpool with a coworker instead of driving several cars and give the money you save in gas. We need your help and won't be able to do this without it! In order for us to continue giving - we need something in return. Be a part of history - please give!
We will be fur-ever greatly! My pack and I thank you in advance for your gift. Here are the many ways we have and continue to give http://puppydawgsandcattails.com/bark-back
I had always wanted a store of my own - it has been my dream for over 20 years. I, like most of you had to go through some tough times to get here though. After caring for my grandmother until her passing - I inherited some money needed to open my "dream" store.
In March of 2014, my family and I were taking a stroll in downtown Brenham and came across a store space that was available for lease - I think my heart skipped a beat! I grabbed my cell phone and snapped a picture of the sign - went home and starting thinking, planning, contemplating, obsessing, praying, etc. After countless nights of no sleep - I decided it was my time! I had raised my daughter single handedly while in high school at 17, cared for my father (role model) that was dying of cancer and then as of recent cared for my grandmother until her passing, all while caring for my son, too. IT WAS FINALLY MY TIME!
The renovation starts! Removal of 5 layers of flooring - YES 5, many trips to the dump, painting the horrible walls, cleaning, hiring an electrician, planning, purchasing, marketing, etc. it was in full swing.
On June 9th, 2014 - we opened our doors! OH what a happy day!! I remember my face hurting because of the continual smile that wrapped my already round face. :)
It was the best - it felt like home, finally the hard work, hard times in my life, depressing voices I heard from so many people (pet store, what? You know how many pet stores in Brenham have failed) had come full circle. Might I add so many times I wanted to give up - oh so many but IT WAS ALL WORTH IT now! I am reminded of a great mantra I have heard - if you love what you do then you will never work a day of your life. This is very true.
As I continued doing what I do, just being me - my business starts growing. I should add I opened my business 55 miles from my home and knew no one - not a soul, but I knew in my heart this was where I was supposed to be. Scary, yes! Lonely, yes! Difficult, definitely! Tiring, extremely! BUT I KNEW IT WAS RIGHT! Eventually days with no sales started being fewer and only a bad memory in the past. I started surrounding myself with people that were positive and encouraging. I told myself I could do this - I put on my big girl panties and pressed on!
Business continues to grow and the word starts spreading "there's a pet store in town"! As my business grows I am overwhelmed with the compliments I start receiving - "All great, as usual." "Our favorite store in Brenham." "We love this store and Lisa." "Must stop store on our way through Brenham." "Worth the trip. Nice people. Warm and inviting." "Our pets love their treats from here. Friendly service with a smile."
At our 1 year mark - our anniversary to our grand opening the retail space next to me becomes available. I ponder. I discuss my thoughts with my Landlord - he agrees with my vision. We expand. So here goes more renovation.
At the end of July - the expansion is finally finished - spent more money than planned, several weeks past eta BUT the plastic comes down and the new side of the store is revealed. I'm like a kid in the candy store! I will forever remember my sweet son's words when he saw the expansion for the first time, "Wow mom, you have a real store!" I think hmm, not sure exactly what I had before but okay - I'll take it! As a momma, it feels good to hear your child compliment you - I'm all grins!
Business goes on as usual. Continually meeting new customers, friends (2 legged and 4), meeting my demands - getting by, all is well!
Then on Wednesday, September 15th my life is changed. I am gut wrenched. Literally I feel like I am going to die. My hard work - gone. No warning. I am given a termination notice from my Landlord with 15 days to vacate the premises. I respectfully refuse to use this venue to post the reasons why. Now for most of us - this is never good news but for a retail store that is a few weeks out from our "make it or break it months" - this is HORRIBLE. I feel like I have been ran over by a train!! What? How? Where? Numb! Speechless!
All the money I spent making the store be my vision - my dream, the multi layers of flooring, painting, prepping, renovation, all at my expense. The hand painted logo on my doors, the art work on the walls - gone - now seemingly for nothing.
This is my livelihood! Not a hobby! This is how I support myself and my son! This is how I live! How can this be happening?!? Two weeks before the shopping season begins! Two weeks before Round Top (the largest Antique/Junk Fair in Texas)! I just decorated for fall! I just redid all of my windows! I just.....I am speechless! My heart hurts. I feel an omnipresent lump in my throat and my gut! I literally feel sick. No sleep - I just wander around aimlessly often thinking, what are you doing? Why did you do this? Doubting everything inside of me. I am empty.
I call a close friend/Realtor - crying! What am I going to do, I ask? What? I can't take care of myself. Everything I have I invested in my store - everything! She calmly says, "Lisa I don't know how or what, but it is going to be okay - I feel it. Something good is going to come out of this!" I sigh, I breathe in disbelief! How? I reply with I have nothing - I express again, EVERYTHING I have is wrapped up in my store! I drive a vehicle that is 14+ years old with 250,000 miles on it, I live simple - to beat the statistics that most businesses fail within the first 5 years, I wear clothes from Target, I'm not dripping in jewels nor interested, I live a clean and simple life - I am just me.
I breathe...I sit in my store looking around crying. I am broken. I am hurt. I am useless. I feel fake, smiling as you, my customers walk in acting as if everything is okay. I'm vulnerable. I'm open.
Now 12 days and counting.....my friend/Realtor finds a storefront for me to move to. I look. I panic. I totally freak out and have no peace. I am still in shock. Landlord says no pet food. I think I'm going to give up! I 'm not sure there is anything left to do. I give, I bend and tell her, "whatever I have to do - I'll do it". I guess there was a little "fire" left in me. Thank you Dad for that - you see even though he's not here, he is. I saw his struggles in life, being a pastor, giving everything he made to those in need, his unconditional love - until he eventually lost his battle to cancer. Thank you.
Then as the calmness comes back I think - what about you - all of my customers that I have had the privilege of meeting, welcoming me into your lives, hearing the numerous stories of your struggles, your children (both the 2 legged and 4) - what about you? What about the pets that I have met and fallen in love with that won't have the proper nutrition they need. What about the numerous customers that come in to just feel the contagious warmth they receive by entering my store. I feel a huge since of abandoning all of you - my incredible customers!!!! What about the pets that won't get the donations needed for their survival? What about the rescues and non-profits that won't get the recognition they deserve and crave to survive? It is real! Very!
So yesterday as I saw each and every one of you - lots of regulars - I am encouraged! I smile as I am reminded of one of my many favorite movies, You've Got Mail, where Meg Ryan has this precious little "Shop Around the Corner" and it is struggling because the big box discount store is opening near her. I'm invigorated! I can do this! I need this as much as Brenham does. This is just as much your store as it is mine! I can't close! I can't give up! I have to keep pressing forward! I have to! There is too much to lose - I won't let my Landlord steal my joy! I won't let him take my last breathe. I won't let him take me down to his level - I won't. He will get his storefront back but he won't take me down with it! There is too much at stake!
I plead my case to the kind lady that owns the building where I am wanting to move - this is the only building available in downtown Brenham. She and the listing agent pray for me! I need to carry pet food. I have worked too hard to get where I am. I am once again vulnerable. I need this, please. She kindly agrees and once again my vision has been redeemed.
Does it mean it won't be tough, nope! Does it mean there won't be struggles, nope! Does it mean there won't be bad days, nope! Contrary! It will - it is!!! The struggle is real and it is staring me in the face! I need help! I need money to do light renovation to a building that is over 100 years old and part of Brenham history. I need money for deposits, rent and to move. I need manpower to lift and move. I need a licensed electrician. I need a licensed contractor to lay flooring and make openings in walls. I have great needs and have 12 days and counting! My deadline is Wednesday, September 30th at 5pm. Please help. Please give up that cup a coffee for a day or a week to help us. Please eat at home one night instead of eating at that fancy restaurant. Please carpool with a coworker instead of driving several cars and give the money you save in gas. We need your help and won't be able to do this without it! In order for us to continue giving - we need something in return. Be a part of history - please give!
We will be fur-ever greatly! My pack and I thank you in advance for your gift. Here are the many ways we have and continue to give http://puppydawgsandcattails.com/bark-back