Meet Morgan Bennett of Pet Staycations in Northeast- Gwinnett County and Johns Creek

Today we’d like to introduce you to Morgan Bennett.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Morgan. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I grew up in Grantville, a little town a few miles below Newnan, surrounded by family and by animals. My mom especially loved dogs, and we were fortunate enough to have an expansive plot of family land where we could play outside as much as possible with our motley crew of animals, including (rarely fewer than 6 or 7) dogs. It seemed that about every stray dog in Coweta, Heard, or Troup County heard about us and made their way to us! They were always part of the family. Even with this inherent love and understanding of dogs, I never considered it as a way to make a living. So, in school, I followed a different path. I started playing percussion in a 6th-grade band, and just never stopped. I attended Mercer University and earned my bachelor’s degree in music (percussion). The day after graduation, my fiancé and I made the move to Northeast metro Atlanta.

I started working with local high school percussion programs and teaching music lessons at a couple local private music schools. Two very important things happened during this time. I got married to my best friend and biggest supporter, Andrew, and I became connected with BullsEye Rescue. These two events would become critical to where I am today.

After a couple of years of teaching and managing those schools, I became restless. I loved the work, but not the often rigid structure of a traditional workplace. At this time, I also recognized a need within my new friends who fostered, volunteered, and adopted pit bulls with BullsEye Rescue. Many of them needed a pet sitter who could understand and manage the needs of a pack of dogs and one who understood the importance of being a community steward and advocate for bully breeds. So, I talked to Andrew about this insane idea, and he 100% supported it. I quit my job and announced that I was starting a pet sitting business. I designed a little logo online, started a Facebook page, and had clients booked within the first day. That was three years ago.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Self-employment is never a smooth road. The learning curve regarding taxes, laws, regulations, etc. was huge. Anyone who has ever been through open enrollment for individual health insurance can tell you that! However, I try my best keep those things safely put away in a box labeled “Do not open. Not allowed to affect your daily happiness”. If I don’t, then it is easy to dig a deep, dark hole that is difficult to escape.

It cannot be stated enough that the road would not just be bumpy, but likely impassable if I didn’t have the full, active support of my husband. Not every person would be thrilled to hear that you want to quit your job and start pet sitting. In many people’s minds, pet sitting is something that teenagers and retired people do for extra “fun money”. I struggled with this line of thinking for about the first year, too. I was embarrassed to say what I did for a living and so afraid to be looked down upon. I have since gotten over that. We are just all out here trying to do our best!

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Pet Staycations story. Tell us more about your work.
The slogan for Pet Staycations is “Above & Beyond Ordinary Pet Care”. I chose this slogan on the day I quit my job & started the business. My main goal was to deliver over the top, unprecedented customer service to all of my clients. I told my husband “I want to be the Chick-Fil-A of pet sitting”. My business includes home “drop-in” visits and boarding, too. My specialties are homes with multiple dogs and homes with bully breed dogs. I have fostered, adopted, and volunteered with pit bulls consistently ever since BullsEye Rescue helped me out with a stray pittie I found wandering the streets of Lilburn in 2015. BullsEye adopters are the vast majority of my clients! They are the best people with the biggest hearts.

They are also often no-nonsense, and this really speaks to me as a dog owner and business owner. To me, pet care and dog ownership are not all snuggles and kisses. This does not mean I have less love for my dogs or any dogs in my care– it means that I expect the best of them! It is hard work with consistent training protocols and boundaries. Many of the dogs I care for come from troubled backgrounds, but we leave all of that in the past. Their future is what matters! I have attended several dog training seminars and have learned from the best of the best in the industry.

Pet Staycations is my main business but has opened avenues for other passions too. Since starting the business, I have also found a passion for photography. I bought my first professional camera in January 2019 and have since started a photography business. Clients love going home with professional photos of their pets, and being able to deliver that is one of my greatest joys.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I’m not sure if I prescribe to the idea of luck completely, but I do know that I have been fortunate in every part of my life. I have the strongest support system possible, complete with loving and considerate family members, in-laws, mentors, and friends. Last month, I was in a car accident for the first time on I-85 at Jimmy Carter.

Many people considered this lucky, as I was struck by both a car and a box truck and only suffered muscular injuries. My car was totaled, and I was left questioning what had lead me to that point– including my business. I wondered if things had been different if I still worked a traditional job. Would I have more money so this setback wouldn’t be so scary, or would I have even been there at 2 pm on a Monday? Luck may have played a part in where I am today, but I am not going to put that in my mental vocabulary!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.professionaldogpetter.com
• Phone: 678-953-4883
• Email: PetStaycationsGwinnett@gmail.com
• Instagram: petstaycationsllc
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/psgwinnett

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