Today we’d like to introduce you to Kiersten Brown.
Hi Kiersten, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started Brown Dog Walking Co. in 2019 with a simple goal: to create the kind of pet care service I would trust with my own dogs. I’ve always loved animals, but my background was actually in hospitality and tourism management, where I learned that exceptional service comes from building relationships, paying attention to the details, and making people feel cared for. I realized those same principles were missing in much of the pet care industry.
The company is named after my first dog, Porter, who we affectionately called “Brown Dog.” She changed my life and inspired me to build a business that puts dogs’ happiness, enrichment, and well-being first, and letting them truly live a dog’s best life.
What started as me walking dogs myself has grown into an award-winning company serving hundreds of families across the Charleston area. Today, we have a team of professional pet care specialists providing dog walks, adventures, pet sitting, cat care, and enrichment-based services as well as our eight acre fully outdoor dog day camp. Along the way, we’ve been honored with local awards, expanded our offerings, and built a reputation for raising the standard of professional pet care.
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?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I wouldn’t change the journey because every challenge has helped shape who we are today.
Like many small businesses, COVID was one of our biggest obstacles. Overnight, many of our regular dog walking clients began working from home, and we had to quickly rethink how we could continue serving both our clients and their dogs. Instead of simply waiting for things to return to normal, we pivoted.
That’s when we began developing more enrichment-focused services and outdoor adventures. What started as a way to adapt ended up transforming our entire business. We realized that while traditional walks are valuable, many dogs need much more than exercise. They need opportunities to explore, socialize, use their natural instincts, and simply be dogs.
That discovery became the foundation of Brown Dog’s philosophy. We now build our services around honoring a dog’s natural behaviors and pack mentality. Whether it’s adventure outings, Camp Brown Dog, private adventures, or enrichment activities, our goal is to meet dogs’ physical, mental, and social needs in a way that helps them truly thrive.
Beyond COVID, growing from a one-person business into a company with a team has brought its own challenges. Learning to become a leader instead of trying to do everything myself has probably been one of the biggest personal growth experiences. Building systems, trusting others, and creating a strong company culture has been every bit as important as learning how to run a successful business.
Looking back, the hardest seasons forced us to innovate. Many of the services and philosophies that now define Brown Dog exist because we were willing to adapt instead of giving up.
As you know, we’re big fans of Brown Dog Walking Company. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Brown Dog Walking Co. is a professional pet care company built around one simple belief: dogs deserve more than just a potty break. Our mission is to help dogs live beyond the leash by providing enriching experiences that support their physical, mental, and emotional well-being while giving owners complete peace of mind.
We offer professional dog walking, pet sitting, cat care, private adventures, Camp Brown Dog, and customized enrichment experiences throughout the Charleston area. Every service is designed with the individual dog in mind because no two dogs have the same needs.
What truly sets us apart is our philosophy. Rather than asking, “How quickly can we get this dog outside?” we ask, “What does this dog need to thrive?” We recognize that dogs are intelligent, social animals with natural instincts to explore, sniff, problem solve, and build relationships. By honoring those instincts through adventure, enrichment, and meaningful interaction, we create happier, healthier dogs.
We’re also committed to raising the standard of the pet care industry. Professional pet care is about far more than loving animals. It’s about education, reliability, communication, safety, and earning a family’s trust every single day. We invest heavily in our team, our systems, and our client experience so families know their pets are receiving exceptional care, whether they’re at work, on vacation, or simply need an extra helping hand.
What I’m most proud of is the brand we’ve built. Brown Dog has become known not just for the services we provide, but for the experience we create. We have clients who have trusted us with multiple generations of pets, and we’ve built a team that genuinely treats every animal as if it were their own. Those relationships mean more to me than any award.
At the end of the day, we’re not just walking dogs. We’re enriching lives of clients, both canine and human, and showing what’s possible when pet care is treated as a profession built on trust, compassion, and excellence.
What does success mean to you?
To me, success is when passion and purpose align.
Of course, growing a healthy business is important, but success has never been defined solely by revenue or the number of clients we serve. I feel most successful when I’m doing work that genuinely makes a difference while creating meaningful careers for people who love what they do.
One of the things I’m most proud of is building a company where our team can find purpose in their work. When people enjoy coming to work and feel valued, that care naturally extends to every pet and every client we serve.
The impact doesn’t stop there. When our clients know their pets are safe, happy, and receiving exceptional care, they can focus on their work, travel, family, or simply enjoy peace of mind without worrying about what’s happening at home. That creates a ripple effect. Less stress for pet owners, happier and healthier animals, fulfilling careers for our team, and stronger relationships throughout our community.
I’ve always believed that pet care should never be one-size-fits-all. Every family and every animal is different, and success means taking the time to understand those individual needs and delivering the level of care we’d want for our own pets.
If Brown Dog continues to grow while staying true to that mission, I’ll always consider us successful.
Pricing:
- Dog walking – $25-40
- Camp Brown Dog- $75
- Overnight In Home Sitting- $120
- Private Adventures- Priced by time
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.browndogwalkingco.com
- Instagram: @browndogwalkingco
- Facebook: @browndogwalkingco
- LinkedIn: @browndogwalkingco
