Summary
Founded by Paige and Max in Lake Forest, Illinois, Paige's In-Home Pet Care is changing what professional pet care looks like in the Chicago suburbs. In just a few short months, they went from doing every job themselves to leading a 10-person team, with nearly $40,000 in bookings in their first three months. Today, they run a thoughtfully built, systems-driven company powered by smart tech, all centered around happy pets and wagging tails.
Hitting the Ground Running
Before launching their business, Paige and Max called the West Coast home, but the distance from friends and family meant they regularly hired pet care companies to look after their pets while they were away.
When they moved back to the Chicago suburbs, they knew they wanted to start something of their own, and they were drawn to pet care — something local, relationship-driven, and meaningful. And they wanted to do it right. They opened the doors of Paige's In-Home Pet Care in November 2025 and were heavily involved in the early jobs themselves, focusing on what they needed to put in place to make the business successful.
December was their second month in business, and it brought their first big holiday rush.
The intense holiday rush was definitely diving into the deep end for a new pet care business. But that early hands-on involvement helped them refine their standards, understand client expectations, and lay a foundation for scalable growth.
Overnight Care that Feels like Family
While Paige's In-Home Pet Care offers dog walking, pet drop-ins, and other services, overnight sitting has really been their "bread and butter."
In Lake Forest and the surrounding areas, many clients are retirees or families traveling for vacation. They're not just looking for someone to feed their pets; they want a trusted professional in their home.
Paige and Max saw that need and decided to go above and beyond normal expectations: tailoring care to each pet's routine, bringing in mail, taking out the trash, and leaving the home cleaner than they found it.
By leaning into these above-and-beyond offerings, the team has positioned themselves as a professional, trustworthy option.
Client Care as a Competitive Advantage
At the heart of the business is a simple philosophy: care for every pet the way you would your own.
They put this philosophy into practice with quick response times, thoughtful, detailed report cards, high-quality pet photos, and a dedication to leaving homes spotless.
And that appreciation shows in their amazing reviews. After months in business, feedback has been consistent:
- "We're so happy we found you"
- "Can't wait to book with you again"
- "You're our go-to pet sitter from now on"
Music to every pet sitter's ears! But those words aren't just encouraging; they're proof that professionalism and consistency build loyalty.
Building the Foundation with Time To Pet
From day one, Paige and Max knew they didn't want to run their business without software. They were introduced to Time To Pet by a successful pet care business they had used in Colorado. After the initial trial, they completed an onboarding call where they could ask all of their questions and get set up confidently. From then on, they haven't looked back!
Day to day, the team relies on:
- Scheduling and automated reminders
- Customizable report cards
- Client questionnaires
- Invoice tracking
- The Pay Center
- Client onboarding workflows
For a growing team, visibility and accountability are critical — and Time To Pet gives them both.
Staffing with Standards
Hiring, Max admitted, is one of the hardest parts of the business.
It's a challenge that many pet care business owners can relate to. Early on, they struck gold when Paige posted a TikTok that went viral locally, generating hundreds of applications. Using that experience, they've built a structured hiring pipeline that includes:
- Pre-interview screening questions
- Structured interviews
- Background checks
- Professional training requirements
- Pet First Aid certifications
- In-person shadow training
By the time an employee has gone through this process and onto their first service, the team has confidence in their abilities and feels comfortable with them, thanks to these steps. They also actively monitor notifications within Time To Pet to ensure report cards, photos, and communication continue to meet their standards.
Not every hire works out, and that's okay. Protecting the pets in their care and maintaining the business's standards comes first.
The Breakthrough Moment
One moment stands out: a day when all seven associates were working at once. Just months earlier, it had only been Paige and Max doing every job themselves. That day, seven team members were serving different clients across the community, providing great service and quality care to pets.
For them, it was validation that the systems they had put into place were working. It was proof that this was no longer just a side project — it's a real, scalable company.
Technology as a Differentiator
Max works full-time in tech, and that mindset shows up everywhere in the business. Recently, Paige's In-Home Pet Care was even featured in a local news article for their innovative approach to pet care, highlighting their unique use of technology.
They have fun experimenting with Meta's Gen 2 smart glasses to enhance dog walk updates. With simple voice commands, sitters can capture hands-free, point-of-view content during walks and then upload it to Time To Pet.
But they feel like they've only just scratched the surface of ways to incorporate technology into their business, and they're excited to keep exploring.
Staying Competitive in a Crowded Market
In today's world, most pet parents start their search for care on Google.
Early on, the team at Paige's In-Home Pet Care invested in an SEO-optimized website, directory listings, strategic Google Ads, and clear brand positioning.
They found their typical clients fall into three main groups:
- People new to the area
- New pet parents
- Clients dissatisfied with a previous sitter
By pairing strong online visibility with exceptional service, they've created a repeat-client lifecycle that fuels growth.
Finding a Way Forward by Stepping Back
Max's advice for overwhelmed pet care owners is simple but powerful: take a step back.
After getting sick with the flu, Max was forced to step away temporarily, and that experience revealed some bottlenecks in the business. He encourages owners to audit their time and tasks. Consider:
- What can be automated?
- What can be delegated?
- What shouldn't you be doing anymore?
Sustainable growth requires systems, not doing everything on your own.
What's Next?
Paige's In-Home Pet Care is only a few months into its journey, but the vision is clear. They're investing heavily in growth during their first year, scaling sustainably while maintaining their high standards.
And it's already paying off: spring break is fully booked. The next challenge? Balancing supply and demand.
They're also excited to continue exploring technology by refining automations, expanding integrations, and developing tools that improve both sitter and client experiences.
What's Possible with the Right Systems
Paige's In-Home Pet Care proves that modern pet care can be both compassionate and technology-focused. They've built more than a pet sitting company — they've built a professional service business with long-term scalability.
For other pet care business owners wondering what's possible, look no further than Paige's In-Home Pet Care's story. With the right mindset, the right systems, and a commitment to professionalism, you don't just watch pets. You build something bigger.
