Today we’d like to introduce you to Jade Crist.
Hi Jade, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
If you had told me a year ago that I’d be running a pet-sitting business, I probably would’ve laughed. Jade & Paws wasn’t something I had planned for years or had some huge business plan for. I started it because I was trying to figure out what I could actually do for myself.
I have epilepsy, and that has made figuring out work a little complicated for me. There are days when I don’t know exactly how I’m going to feel or what my schedule is going to look like, and having a normal job with a set schedule hasn’t always felt like the right fit. I wanted to find something where I could have a little more control over my time and still actually make money doing something I enjoy.
I’ve always loved animals, so pet sitting just made sense to me. I figured if I was going to try to build something for myself, I might as well do something I genuinely enjoy.
I started Jade & Paws pretty simply. I made a Facebook page, started posting in local groups, figured out my prices, made some policies, and eventually built a website. A lot of it was stuff I had never done before, so I was learning as I went. I had to figure out how to talk to clients, schedule bookings, collect deposits, make forms, advertise myself, and basically learn how to run a small business while actually running it.
It hasn’t always been easy. There have been weeks where I posted everywhere I could think of and barely got any responses. I’ve had people message me and then stop responding, and I’ve definitely had moments where I wondered if this was actually going to work. When you’re putting time and effort into something and nobody seems interested, it’s really easy to get discouraged.
But then someone does book with me. I get to meet their pets, take care of them while they’re away, send their owners pictures and updates, and see how much they appreciate knowing their pets are safe. I’ve gotten a couple of really sweet reviews from clients already, and honestly, those mean a lot to me because they remind me that I’m doing something people actually value.
I also really like that Jade & Paws lets me do something for people in my own community. When someone is going away, they don’t have to worry about their pets being somewhere unfamiliar or wonder whether someone is actually going to follow their instructions. I get to be that person for them.
I’m still figuring everything out. I’m not sitting here pretending I have a perfect business or that I know exactly where it’s going. I’m still trying to get more clients and figure out what works. But I’m proud of myself for starting it in the first place.
Jade & Paws started because I needed to find something that worked for my life, but it has turned into something that is actually mine. I don’t know how big I want it to become yet. Right now, I’m just excited to keep building it, meet more people and their pets, and see where it takes me.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Probably the biggest challenge has been figuring everything out as I go. I didn’t have a business background or someone teaching me exactly what to do, so I’ve had to learn a lot on my own. Pricing, advertising, creating my website, figuring out deposits and policies, talking to clients — there was a lot I had never done before.
My epilepsy has also been a challenge because it can make traditional work situations more difficult for me. I have to be more aware of my schedule and what I’m realistically able to take on. Starting my own business has given me more flexibility, but it also means I have to be responsible for everything myself.
Getting clients has probably been the most frustrating part. There have been times where I’ve posted about Jade & Paws in local groups and gotten little to no response. You can put a lot of effort into something and still wonder if anyone is actually going to notice it. I’ve definitely had moments where I questioned whether I was doing something wrong or if this was going to work at all.
I’m still dealing with those challenges now. I’m still learning, still trying different ways to reach people, and still figuring out how to balance everything. But I think that’s also taught me that starting something doesn’t mean you’re automatically going to know what you’re doing. Sometimes you just have to keep learning and adjust as you go.
We’ve been impressed with Jade & Paws, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Jade & Paws is a small, local pet-sitting business based in Frederick, Maryland. I provide in-home pet care, including dog walks, drop-in visits, cat care, and overnight house sitting. The goal is pretty simple: make sure pets can stay comfortable in their own home and keep as much of their normal routine as possible while their owners are away.
What I think sets Jade & Paws apart is how personal I try to make the experience. I don’t want pets to feel like I’m just stopping by because I’m getting paid to. I take the time to learn their personalities, routines, favorite things, and what makes them comfortable. Some pets want to play the entire time, some want nothing to do with you at first, and some just want to cuddle. I genuinely enjoy getting to know all of them.
Communication is also a big part of my business. I send regular photos, videos, and updates so owners aren’t left wondering how their pets are doing. At the same time, I understand that every pet parent is different, so I’m happy to adjust how often I send updates based on what they prefer.
I’m probably most proud of the brand I’ve created from the ground up. I started with an idea and have built the name, logo, website, policies, pricing, and client experience myself. It’s still a small business and I’m still learning, but that’s something I’m proud of too. Everything about Jade & Paws has been built around something I genuinely love: animals.
I want people to know that when they book with Jade & Paws, they’re trusting their pets with someone who actually cares about them. To me, they’re not just another booking on my calendar. They’re someone’s family.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I definitely wouldn’t be where I am with Jade & Paws without the support of my boyfriend, friends, and family. They’ve all been there for me while I’ve been figuring everything out, whether that meant listening to me talk about the business, encouraging me when I was frustrated about not getting clients, or just reminding me not to give up when things weren’t going the way I hoped.
My boyfriend has especially been someone I can talk to about everything with the business. He’s listened to all of my ideas, supported me when I was second-guessing myself, and encouraged me to keep going even when I felt like I wasn’t getting anywhere.
My friends and family have also been a huge part of it. They’ve shared my posts, told people about Jade & Paws, encouraged me to put myself out there, and celebrated the little wins with me. Starting a business can feel pretty lonely sometimes, especially when you’re doing most of it yourself, so having people around me who genuinely believe in me has meant a lot.
Pricing:
- 30-minute dog walks / drop-in visits — $25
- 60-minute dog walks / drop-in visits — $40
- Cat care visits — $25
- Overnight house sitting — $70/night
- Extended stays of 8+ nights receive 10% off
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jade-and-paws.vercel.app/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jadeandpaws/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568355213356
