Today we’d like to introduce you to Kiersten Brown.
Hi Kiersten, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Brown Dog Walking Co started with a love story. One of my soul dog, Porter- the “Brown Dog”- and myself.
I have always had a passion for animals and a belief that every pet deserves the absolute best care. During high school and college I spent all my free time volunteering and working in rescues. I was the one cleaning kennels after hours, giving meds, and sitting with the scared ones long after everyone else had left. That kind of devotion never felt like work—it felt like purpose.
After graduating college, I pivoted into the culinary world and built a successful career as a chef. I earned recognition, won awards—but I wasn’t truly fulfilled. My dogs, Porter and Olive, were home alone during those long shifts, and it started to wear on my conscience. I remember coming home exhausted, still putting my shoes back on to give them a short walk, but I felt they deserved better. That guilt turned into clarity: I didn’t want to spend my life away from the thing I loved most.
So I took a leap. I quit my career and answered a Craigslist ad for a doggy daycare job. I walked in and was told i was too overqualified, but I was passionate and persistent. They gave me a chance. I showed up the next day—my dogs in tow—and threw myself into it. I soaked up everything: the operations, the client care, the business model, the behavioral dynamics. I saw what worked, and what didn’t. Eventually, I realized the only way to raise the standard of pet care was to build something new. So I did.
I started my own business focused on personalized, high-quality pet care. When I relocated to Charleston, I had zero clients and a stack of bright yellow business cards. No website, no social media following—just hustle. I chased down people with dogs at parks, chatted up anyone with a leash, and slowly, one client turned into five, then ten. I built trust by treating every dog like my own (and mine are very spoiled). I didn’t just walk dogs—I created a lifestyle of enrichment, adventure, and connection based on each client’s needs.
That same philosophy became the foundation for everything we do at Brown Dog Walking. I knew dogs needed more than a walk around the block—they needed nature, socialization, new smells, sunshine, and stimulation. So we created services that reflected that. Trail hikes. Beach romps. And eventually, Camp Brown Dog—our open-air adventure camp. That was years in the making and took a lot of blood, sweat, and pond-mud, but it’s now a dog’s dreamland: fields to sprint, a pond to splash in, sand to dig, and space to just be a dog.
Today, we’ve got an incredible team of true animal lovers who are as passionate about this mission as I am. We’ve grown through word of mouth, hard work, and an unshakable commitment to bettering the lives of dogs—and their humans. We were recently voted Charleston’s Best Dog Walker, which is surreal, but also a testament to the care, energy, and love that’s gone into this from day one.
At the end of the day, this isn’t just about pet services. It’s about helping people live their fullest lives by knowing their dogs are not just cared for—but living their best lives too.
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?
Oh, there have been plenty—and honestly, I’m grateful for them. They’ve shaped everything about who I am and how I run Brown Dog Walking Co.
In the beginning, the biggest struggle was starting from absolutely nothing—no clients, no safety net. When I moved to Charleston, I didn’t know a soul. I hit the pavement hard—literally chasing people down in parks to talk about their dogs. That kind of grassroots hustle was exhausting, but I kept going because I believed in the mission.
I also had to overcome the mental shift of leaving a successful career behind. I was an award-winning chef, and there was a part of me that felt like I was “throwing it away.” But deep down, I knew I was building something more meaningful that would change lives for the better.
Financially, it was tough. I bootstrapped everything, worked 7 days a week, and reinvested every penny back into the business. There were moments where I didn’t know how I was going to make rent. And let’s be real: owning a business centered around living, breathing creatures adds an entirely different level of responsibility and emotional weight. You don’t get to “clock out” when you’re caring for people’s family members.
One of the biggest challenges was hiring. I learned the hard way that passion can’t be trained. You can teach someone how to handle a leash—but you can’t teach them to care. I had to let go of the idea that I could do it all myself, but also be incredibly intentional about who joined the team. I only wanted people who treated dogs the way I do—with love, respect, and a deep sense of responsibility. That took time, trial and error, and a few heartbreaks when team members left.
And then there was Camp Brown Dog. Finding land for an off-leash dog camp in Charleston? Nearly impossible. We lost three different properties during negotiations. Each one felt like the dream was slipping through our fingers. But I didn’t give up. When we finally found the right place, we had to build it ourselves. I’m talking digging trenches, hauling wood, and sweating through South Carolina summers. It wasn’t glamorous. But now we have something that’s truly one-of-a-kind—a place where dogs can run free and be their fullest, happiest selves.
Every struggle taught me something. How to lead. How to let go. How to pivot fast. How to protect your passion when burnout knocks. And how to keep your eyes locked on the why, even when the how feels impossible.
Looking back, the struggle has made the story—and the company—what it is today. Truly. It is built on passion and dedication to a cause. And I wouldn’t change a thing.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Brown Dog Walking Co is Charleston’s go-to for high-quality, personalized pet care—with a twist of adventure. We’re not your average leash-and-go service. We’re a lifestyle brand for dogs who deserve to live fully—whether that is a cityscape adventure with sunshine on their backs, or a rugged camp adventure with dirt on their paws and a crew of fellow canine explorers by their side.
We specialize in dog walking, pet sitting, and truly enriching experiences for pets—from camp days to beach adventures, from wedding-day pet care to “Paw Au Pair” stays. But what we’re known for—and what really sets us apart—is Camp Brown Dog, Charleston’s first and only open-air dog adventure camp. It’s our fully enclosed, off-leash property designed for pack play, nature exploration, and doggy joy. Think: splash-worthy ponds, sandy digging pits, open fields for epic games of fetch, and a place where dogs can be dogs.
What makes us different is that we operate with a mindset of whole dog wellness. We understand dog behavior, psychology, enrichment needs, and how to provide more than just exercise—we provide fulfillment. Every service we offer is built with intention, rooted in love for animals, and shaped by the belief that a well-cared-for dog makes for a happier, more balanced home.
We’re also proud of the culture we’ve built behind the scenes. Brown Dog Walking Co is a woman-owned small business with a tight-knit team of animal lovers who love their jobs—and that energy translates into everything we do. Our walkers are vetted, trained, and supported like family. And our clients feel that. They trust us like they would a friend.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud that our reputation was built on word of mouth, integrity, and consistency. We don’t do gimmicks. We don’t cut corners. And we don’t treat dogs like a transaction. Our clients know we go above and beyond.
At the end of the day, we’re here to raise the bar for what pet care should look like. We’re proud to have been voted Charleston’s Best Dog Walker, but what we’re most proud of is hearing from clients that their dog is happier, calmer, more confident because of our care.
So whether you’re a local pet parent looking for help during the workweek, a destination bride bringing your dog to your wedding, or a dog lover who just wants your pup to live their absolute best life—Brown Dog Walking Co is here to make that happen.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was the kid who was naming dog breeds as we walked by on the street. I have always had a big heart for animals, saving every lizard, hurt bird, etc on my walks around the block, and my bedroom became a sort of rescue for classmate’s small caged animals. It likened a small zoo with animals including rats, birds, fish, gerbils, rabbits, etc. I was also basically raised on Animal Planet and Steve Irwin.
Personality-wise, I was fiercely independent and endlessly curious. I’ve always had a bit of an entrepreneurial streak—selling candy or origami birds at school, cutting neighbors’ roses and selling them back to them in bouquets, haha. It was all a learning process and I feel like from an early age I was learning that I could create a business based off what I was passionate about.
I always thought I wanted to be a veterinarian, but when I was 15 I worked “a day in the life” through a program in school at a vet’s office and they sadly said goodbye to many pets that day and I knew my empathetic heart couldn’t’ handle that side of the business. The idea for what we do now originally came from the early days when I volunteered and eventually worked in rescues where my days were dirty but filled with joy. Saving animals and helping them live their best lives became a true calling for me.
Looking back, a lot of who I am now was already there early on: passionate, creative, a little stubborn in the best way, and constantly trying new things to see what worked. I take pride in being able to think outside the box and have always sought outsiders perspectives.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.browndogwalkingco.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/browndogwalkingco/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/browndogwalkingco/
