Alexis Minson and Casey Bright are co-owners of the business Amore Pets of Norwalk. Together, they face the challenges and experience the rewards of owning a small business. Owning a small business is not only gratifying but also demanding. Bright describes their business as, “Creating an atmosphere where people feel comfortable to bring their fur babies for grooming, boarding, and daycare.” Through these three elements—grooming, boarding, and daycare—Amore Pets of Norwalk is able to operate successfully.
Minson and Bright took over Amore Pets of Norwalk together in 2019. Minson started grooming in 2012, where she gained over ten years of experience and knowledge. The two of them were able to transform the business into what it is today.
While the two of them have been very successful in their business, they have also faced hardships. Bright reflects on how when they first took over the business, COVID-19 very quickly took over the world. They did not know what was going to happen to their blossoming business. A lot of businesses had to shut down and the two owners had to figure out how to navigate these difficult times. Minson and Bright had to sit down and create a COVID-friendly plan. Bright recounts this being “a plan where there was only outdoor contact, no lobby, and we just did grooming.” This way, they were able to keep jobs for their employees and safely serve the community.
Every small business runs on its community. Minson and Bright are adamant about making sure their business gives back to their community. They do this by hosting many fundraising drives for the local schools, creating giveaways, and promoting other local small businesses. Minson and Bright both say that the community has the biggest impact on their business, but they wish to flip that. Bright explains this as, “Our business is a community based business. We try to reverse that. Instead of the community impacting us we try to impact the community.” Minson and Bright exemplify this by putting themselves out there so that the community knows they care about them, and in turn, the community cares about Amore Pets of Norwalk.
A lot of people dream about owning their own business. While it has its challenges, there are also so many rewards. Minson expresses that her favorite part is “being [her] own boss. It is really nice being able to make your own rules. There is nobody above you.” Bright adds on to what Minson says, saying that what she described is what he believes to be the American Dream. Minson then describes how she also enjoys “working at [her] own pace, and you get stuff done the way you want to get it done.” Bright describes his favorite part as creating something that can be passed down to his kids. He illustrates that when they started this business he had kids in high school and Minson was pregnant. He expressed that “I didn’t want to create something that would end when I am done.” Bright says that he has offered all of his kids an opportunity to work with him and some have taken him up on his offer. Bright then reveals, “We found that instead of just making an impact for our lives, we could make an impact on our kids lives and their kids lives.” Bright contrasts his business to a farm. He depicts a family farm as being passed through generations, but he believes that generations are being forced to take it on. Bright describes his business as hopefully being passed through generations but being an optional opportunity. He describes it as being a legacy. A place where his kids could come and go if needed. A place where they can make their own mark on the community. A place that they could someday run. A place that they could someday pass on to their own children.
