Great Companies: How did you get your idea or concept for the business?
Chris Morris: I was associated with the pet care business abroad. After I came back to India, I realised that there is a shortage of facilities tailored to Cats (when compared with dogs). Hence I decided it was about time Pune got a space dedicated only to Cat Services (but some services, like food are extended to dogs on request).
Great Companies: What are the various services provided by The Cat's Mistress
Chris Morris: Boarding, Basic Training, Cat Social, Wet Meals, Dehydrated treats, cupcakes & Grooming.
Great Companies: What makes The Cat's Mistress different from hundreds of other similar service providers?
Chris Morris:
We are a customized, cage-free, space only dedicated for Cats with fresh food and a social environment. We take time to understand each cat before we board them with us. It is important for us that the cat is comfortable.
Great Companies: What are the struggles and challenges you face?
Chris Morris: People restricting travel during the pandemic was a challenge to the business, particularly Boarding. Now as travel picks up the challenge is finding good staff, who can work the same way we do. Costs and inflation are big issues, as the cost of all our raw materials has gone through the roof.
Great Companies: How do you plan to grow in the future? What does 5 years down the line look like for The Cat's Mistress?
Chris Morris: We think the demand for specialized cat focused boarding services will continue to exceed supply in the short and medium term. In spite of the challenges we faced due to the pandemic and as a new specialized business, we expanded our space within a year of opening and are grateful to the trust our customers have placed in us. As the business matures, we look to have another 2 more branches within India over the next few years.
Great Companies: If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be?
Chris Morris: It may get difficult and everything may seem to be against you but remember this is your business, the dedication, time and hardship will surely pay off.