Today we’d like to introduce you to Yazmín Sostre.
Hi Yazmín, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My story began in Puerto Rico. When I was eight years old, my father moved our family to Maryland. I had to learn English quickly while also trying to catch up in school. Today, I proudly consider myself a Marylander and a Boricua. Growing up in Maryland in a Puerto Rican household—and being mixed-race—shaped my identity and taught me to appreciate different perspectives.
I began my professional career as an administrative assistant and eventually worked my way up to Chief of Staff. Later, I decided to focus exclusively on Human Resources because I genuinely wanted to help people. Over time, however, I became disillusioned. I realized that the realities of HR didn’t always align with the kind of direct, personal difference I wanted to make in people’s lives.
By early 2025, I found myself at a crossroads: I could continue along the same career path and try to make the best of it, or I could take a chance and build something new.
I knew I wanted my work to help people, so I combined my lifelong love of animals with my desire to serve others—and added the business, leadership, and HR experience I had gained throughout my career. That combination became Steppin’ Woof! Dog Walking & Pet Care, a company created to give families throughout the Greater Annapolis area dependable, compassionate care they can always count on.
Now, instead of spending my days behind a desk, they’re filled with muddy paws, wagging tails, and slobbery kisses. I couldn’t feel more fulfilled. It means so much to know that the work we do gives people in our community peace of mind while they’re away from their pets.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’ve been fortunate in many ways, but no growing business is without challenges. If there is one thing my HR career taught me, it is to anticipate potential problems and put strong systems in place before they occur.
One of my biggest challenges was making the leap from a one-person operation to a company with multiple pet caregivers. When you have personally built relationships with clients and their pets, it can be scary to step back and trust someone else to provide the same level of care in your place. These aren’t simply appointments on a schedule—they are beloved animals, and clients are trusting us inside their homes.
My professional background helped me approach that transition thoughtfully. I developed a careful screening and background-check process, clear service standards, detailed policies, training procedures, and emergency protocols. The goal was to ensure that every caregiver representing Steppin’ Woof! would provide the same compassionate, reliable, and attentive care I would give myself.
I’m incredibly proud of the team we are building. Our caregivers are communicative, dependable, and genuinely committed to providing exceptional care. Learning to let go wasn’t easy, but now I can’t imagine doing this without them.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Steppin’ Woof! Dog Walking & Pet Care?
Steppin’ Woof! Dog Walking & Pet Care is a locally owned, owner-operated pet care company serving families throughout Arnold, Annapolis, Severna Park, and surrounding communities. We provide professional dog walking, pet sitting, drop-in visits, and overnight care for people who want to know their pets are being cared for with the same attention and compassion they would give them themselves.
At the heart of Steppin’ Woof! is something very simple: peace of mind. Inviting someone into your home and trusting them with a beloved member of your family is a big deal, and I never want our clients to take that trust lightly or feel like we do. We place a huge emphasis on safety, reliability, communication, and building genuine relationships with both our clients and their pets.
One thing that sets Steppin’ Woof! apart is that although we are growing, I am very intentional about keeping the business personal. I am still actively involved in pet care, I personally meet our clients and their pets, and I know the animals we care for. When additional members of our team provide care, they are carefully vetted, background checked, trained to our standards, and certified in pet first aid and CPR. I want clients to have the reassurance of working with a professional company without losing the personal relationship they might expect from an individual pet sitter.
Communication is also a huge part of the experience. After visits, our clients receive detailed updates, photos, and GPS-tracked walk routes through our pet care software. I know how much it means to see your pet’s face and know that they’re happy and safe when you can’t be there.
I’m especially proud of the reputation Steppin’ Woof! is building in our community. Much of our growth has come through referrals and recommendations from people who have trusted us with their own pets. To me, there is no greater compliment. We’ve also begun developing relationships with other local pet businesses and organizations because I believe small businesses can accomplish so much when we support one another and work together for the animals and families in our community.
Ultimately, I don’t want Steppin’ Woof! to be known simply as a dog walking company. I want us to be known as the people you trust with your family. My goal is to build a pet care company where exceptional care is the standard, clients feel completely at ease, and every animal we care for is treated as a unique individual with their own personality, routines, quirks, and needs.
That trust is something I’m incredibly proud of, and it’s something I never want Steppin’ Woof! to outgrow.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
There are so many people who deserve credit for helping Steppin’ Woof! become what it is today.
First, I’m deeply grateful to our clients. They have trusted us not only with their beloved pets, but also with access to their homes and an important part of their family life. Many have recommended Steppin’ Woof! to friends, neighbors, and relatives, and their referrals have played a tremendous role in our growth. Every recommendation means more to me than they probably realize.
My family has also been with me every step of the way. They have encouraged me, believed in the vision, helped when I needed an extra pair of hands, and supported me through all the long and unpredictable hours that come with building a pet care business.
I’m equally thankful for our amazing team members. Their reliability, compassion, and commitment allow us to care for more families without sacrificing the personal attention and high standards at the heart of Steppin’ Woof! Their support has become essential to our success, and I’m incredibly proud to have them represent the business.
Finally, I’m grateful for the local businesses, animal organizations, friends, and community members who have shared our name, displayed our materials, offered encouragement, or opened the door to a new relationship. Steppin’ Woof! may have started with my vision, but it continues to grow because so many people have chosen to believe in and support it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://steppinwoof.dog/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steppinwoof.dog/
- Facebook: http://facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579086567062
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/steppin-woof
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwWXIIFp7R_DWDXKQ_Q-8cg
