BY: BOITUMELO RAMOELETSI
A dog is a man’s best friend; they help humans navigate their world, and some even guide those who have lost their way. They, too, deserve to be well taken care of. According to Mateliso Mpuputla, a deep lover of dogs and current owner of the ‘Pretty Dog Centre,’ portraying love and care for dogs is a top priority.
Besides being a dog lover, Mateliso has a diploma in human management. “I understood despite my academic accomplishments, pursuing what I loved would keep me motivated, and making a living out of it would be an added benefit,” she adds.
The Peka (Ha-Makhaketsa) born woman says as a child she was concerned about how people treated their dogs. She had not realized, however, her love for dogs was just starting, nor had she realized how deeply she loved them. Something forced her to think of ways to help those who struggle with proper care for their dogs based on unpleasant observations.
Mateliso established her business in 2019. “When I first started, I honestly never thought it would get this far.” She claims for her, it was all about doing what she loved, but later on, she realized the benefit from it. So she took the chance and established her new business, which was successful. Her passion for dogs was also inspired her late father who previously owned dogs.
The Pretty Dog Center only offers services for dogs, one of them being a daycare center which offers dog washing, nail care and potty training. Everything necessary for the dogs’ well-being is provided, including a boarding school for them. This boarding school has two sections: one for babysitting the dogs while their owners are at work, and another for teaching the dogs manners and communication.
Boarding service packages range from M350 to M800 for daycare, weekend away, and weekly boarding, while other services such as washing, nails, grooming, and face cutting range from M150 to M450 Monthly package is included. Furthermore, Pretty Dog Center offers online consultations on how to care for dogs (only small breeds) ranging in size from M100 to M200.
PULLOUT QUOTE “The biggest challenge was men undermining me for being a female dog breeder…”
However, no business can thrive in the utter lack of challenges. “The biggest challenge was men undermining me for being a female dog breeder, and the only way to ensure I overcome this challenge is to deliver. To me, it is not about quantity, but quality,” she affirms.
She elaborated she still finds uniqueness in her business through the wonders it performs out there, what keeps her moving despite the external noise coming from all directions.
Many women struggle to start, primarily because they believe it takes a large amount of money to get started, but with Matšeliso’s words of wisdom, entrepreneurship can be in anyone’s hands as long as they are prepared. “It is never too late to begin, and you don’t need millions to make something of your life,” she states. Continuing, she elaborates not everything requires money to begin; one can begin with whatever is available at the time.
DOG LOVER FINDS uniqueness in her business
BY: BOITUMELO RAMOELETSI
A dog is a man’s best friend; they help humans navigate their world, and some even guide those who have lost their way. They, too, deserve to be well taken care of. According to Mateliso Mpuputla, a deep lover of dogs and current owner of the ‘Pretty Dog Centre,’ portraying love and care for dogs is a top priority.
Besides being a dog lover, Mateliso has a diploma in human management. “I understood despite my academic accomplishments, pursuing what I loved would keep me motivated, and making a living out of it would be an added benefit,” she adds.
The Peka (Ha-Makhaketsa) born woman says as a child she was concerned about how people treated their dogs. She had not realized, however, her love for dogs was just starting, nor had she realized how deeply she loved them. Something forced her to think of ways to help those who struggle with proper care for their dogs based on unpleasant observations.
Mateliso established her business in 2019. “When I first started, I honestly never thought it would get this far.” She claims for her, it was all about doing what she loved, but later on, she realized the benefit from it. So she took the chance and established her new business, which was successful. Her passion for dogs was also inspired her late father who previously owned dogs.
The Pretty Dog Center only offers services for dogs, one of them being a daycare center which offers dog washing, nail care and potty training. Everything necessary for the dogs’ well-being is provided, including a boarding school for them. This boarding school has two sections: one for babysitting the dogs while their owners are at work, and another for teaching the dogs manners and communication.
Boarding service packages range from M350 to M800 for daycare, weekend away, and weekly boarding, while other services such as washing, nails, grooming, and face cutting range from M150 to M450 Monthly package is included. Furthermore, Pretty Dog Center offers online consultations on how to care for dogs (only small breeds) ranging in size from M100 to M200.
PULLOUT QUOTE “The biggest challenge was men undermining me for being a female dog breeder…”
However, no business can thrive in the utter lack of challenges. “The biggest challenge was men undermining me for being a female dog breeder, and the only way to ensure I overcome this challenge is to deliver. To me, it is not about quantity, but quality,” she affirms.
She elaborated she still finds uniqueness in her business through the wonders it performs out there, what keeps her moving despite the external noise coming from all directions.
Many women struggle to start, primarily because they believe it takes a large amount of money to get started, but with Matšeliso’s words of wisdom, entrepreneurship can be in anyone’s hands as long as they are prepared. “It is never too late to begin, and you don’t need millions to make something of your life,” she states. Continuing, she elaborates not everything requires money to begin; one can begin with whatever is available at the time.