how i got here

I started working at 14, and by 17, I had graduated high school early and stepped into a full-time role in my family’s business as a driller. For nearly a decade I assumed I would one day take over the company, but by my mid-20s, for numerous reasons, I realized that path was no longer right for me. Unsure of what to do next and feeling like I had missed the chance to explore my interests as a teenager, I worked various jobs over the years but struggled to find fulfillment.

During this time, I met my partner Lauren, who encouraged me to rethink my career path. Her chronic health conditions had already reshaped her own life plans, and unfortunately, her health began to decline shortly after we met. By the peak of COVID her symptoms had worsened, requiring more care much sooner than we had anticipated. Like many others, I lost my job during the pandemic, which led me to take on a part-time role as her in-home caregiver. When restrictions lifted, her unpredictable schedule made it difficult for me to find flexible work, leaving me uncertain about what to do next.

After weighing my options, I turned to my lifelong love of dogs. I’ve always had a natural connection with them, and I believe they sense a person’s need for peace and understanding. Their unconditional trust and companionship make it easy for me to bond with them. While I had always found joy in spending time with dogs, I had never considered it as a potential career. When Lauren suggested I sign up for a well-known pet sitting platform alongside the handyman work I had recently taken on, I decided to go for it. Before long, business took off, with new and repeat clients keeping me busy with a steady stream of dog walking and long-term sitting jobs. I maintained a perfect client rating and built a loyal community of happy customers. For the first time in a LONG time, I felt like I had found my calling.

So why start my own business?

While my experience on this platform was initially successful, I decided to start my own business for two key reasons. First, many clients wanted to pay me directly to avoid the increasingly high fees charged by the platform. As I built relationships with these dog owners, it became clear that while they valued the advertised protections of insurance coverage, the excessive fees—most of which didn’t directly benefit providers like myself—often led them to work around the app.

Second, and more importantly, my personal experience revealed how little support the platform actually offered its providers. After being attacked on the job it became painfully clear that the company did not stand behind the people doing the work. This left me discouraged and once again questioning my career options—all while dealing with unexpected health challenges of my own. But with time to reflect and Lauren’s encouragement, I decided to take a leap of faith. A year later, after recovering both my health and my spirit, LUKAS K9 was started. Although I’m new to running a business, my dedication to providing the same level of care I would want for my own dog drives me to provide top-tier services to my clients. By prioritizing trust, transparency and communication, I strive to create a welcoming, stress-free and personalized experience for dog owners and their furry family members.