Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly Layman
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Hi there, I’m Kimberly, the proud owner of Paws Up! My love for animals has been a constant throughout my life. Growing up with dogs and cats, I always knew they were more than just pets—they were family. This passion for animals continued into my adult life, and like many pet parents, I struggled to find reliable care for my furry family members when we traveled. Boarding our dogs was an option, but they often came home with digestive issues and once got pretty ill and required vet care. It became clear that our pets were much happier staying in the comfort of their own home. After much searching, we found a wonderful pet sitter who offered in-home care, and it was a game-changer. Our dogs were content, well-cared for, and most importantly, healthy.
Fast forward to years later, after working as a project manager in the healthcare industry, I realized I needed a change. My passion for animals and the lack of top-notch in-home pet care services made it clear what my next step should be. So, I took a leap of faith, left my corporate job, and followed my heart.
I started my business with a simple website and a few ads and flyers around town. We got lots of referrals from happy clients and the business took off from there. As demand grew, I brought on a couple of team members, and from there, we continued to expand.
Today, we have a dedicated team of eight pet care specialists serving North Charleston, Hanahan, Park Circle, Ladson, Goose Creek, and parts of Summerville. We offer a variety of services, including daily dog walks for busy dog parents, adventure walks that provide exercise, enrichment, and socialization, as well as cat care and in-home pet sitting for when pet parents are away. We’ve recently expanded to offer daily dog walks and adventure walks in the downtown Charleston area too. Our team is fully insured, bonded, background-checked, and trained in animal care and behavior, with certifications in Pet First Aid and CPR.
What I love most is hearing from our clients about how happy their pets are when they return home from work or travel. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that we’re making a difference in the lives of both pets and their parents by providing the love and attention their pets need when they can’t be there.
In addition to my passion for pets, I have a strong desire to give back and help homeless animals find their forever homes. This commitment recently led us to partner with Dorchester Paws, one of our local shelters, to offer Sponsored Doggy Dates for their shelter residents. This initiative provides a unique opportunity for shelter dogs to get the socialization, decompression, and exposure they desperately need while enjoying some fun adventures outside the shelter.
Our local shelters are extremely overcrowded, and while many community members want to help, they often don’t know how. By sponsoring a doggy date, they’re not only giving a shelter dog a much-needed break but also helping make them more adoptable. When we take a shelter dog out for an adventure, it’s not just about having fun—we also observe how they interact with people, other dogs, and different environments. This valuable information is then shared with the shelter, helping them match the dog with the perfect home.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The journey definitely hasn’t been without its challenges, especially when it comes to hiring. Finding the right people for the job can be tricky, particularly because this isn’t your typical part-time gig.. Our work isn’t confined to a standard 4-5 hour shift—it requires flexibility, as we provide care when our clients are traveling, with visits needed in the morning, midday, dinnertime, and evening. This means we need team members who can be available at different times throughout the day.
Many of our staff members juggle other part-time or full-time jobs, or attend college, so scheduling can sometimes feel like a balancing act. Ensuring we have enough coverage to meet our clients’ needs while also accommodating our employees’ schedules has been a learning curve. Despite the challenges, we’ve built a strong, dedicated team that I’m incredibly proud of, and we’re excited to bring a few more passionate individuals on board this year as we continue to grow!
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Paws Up! LLC?
At Paws Up!, we’re dedicated to providing top-notch care for your pets when you can’t be there. Our services include daily dog walks, adventure walks that offer a blend of exercise, enrichment, and socialization, as well as cat care and in-home pet sitting for when you’re traveling. We recently expanded our dog walking and adventure walk services to the downtown Charleston area, which we’re really excited about!
What sets us apart is our personalized approach to pet care and our commitment to continuity in service. We understand that every pet is unique, with their own personality, preferences, and needs, so we tailor our services to ensure they’re getting the best care possible. Our team of pet care specialists is fully insured, bonded, and background-checked, with extensive training in animal care and behavior, along with certifications in Pet First Aid and CPR. We’re not just dog walkers or pet sitters—we’re a team of dedicated animal lovers who treat your pets like they’re our own.
We also take pride in our team-based model, which allows us to provide care without interruption. If one of our staff members gets sick or has an unexpected commitment, another team member can seamlessly step in and take over their visits. This approach ensures that your pets always receive consistent, reliable care, no matter what.
One of the things I’m most proud of is our recent partnership with Dorchester Paws, a local animal shelter. Through this collaboration, we offer sponsored doggy dates for some of their longest-resident dogs, giving them the opportunity to decompress, enjoy much-needed mental stimulation, and experience socialization. When someone sponsors a doggy date, we take the dog out for a special outing to increase their exposure and assess their behavior. This allows us to provide Dorchester Paws with valuable insights that help match these dogs with the right families. We also send the sponsor a detailed report of the day, complete with plenty of photos, and share the dog’s story on our social media to boost their chances of finding a forever home. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that we’re not only supporting our clients but also making a positive impact in our community.
We want your readers to know that Paws Up! isn’t just a pet care service—it’s a trusted partner in your pet’s well-being. Whether it’s a midday walk while you’re at work, an adventure walk to burn off some extra energy, or in-home care while you’re away, we’re here to provide the love, attention, and expert care your pets deserve. Our goal is to make sure that when you’re not available, your pets are still happy, healthy, and well-cared for.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
I actually have two important lessons I’d like to highlight.
1. The Power of Adaptability: In the pet care industry, no two days are the same, and one of the most important lessons I’ve learned is the need to be adaptable. Whether it’s adjusting to the unique needs of each pet, managing unexpected schedule changes, or navigating the challenges of growing a business, being flexible and open to change has been key to our success. Embracing adaptability has allowed us to meet our clients’ needs effectively, ensure consistent care for their pets, and keep our team strong and resilient despite the challenges.
2. Prioritizing Client Relationships: Another important lesson I’ve learned is the immense value of building strong relationships with clients. In this business, trust is everything. Taking the time to truly connect with pet parents, understand their specific needs, and consistently provide high-quality care has been instrumental in our growth. These relationships are the foundation of our success, and they’re what keep both our clients and their pets happy and coming back to us time and again.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://PawsUpchs.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/PawsUpchs
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/PawsUpchs
