Notes from Clinton Hills’ Akuro Imbu: Entrepreneur, Artist and Dog Walker

Entry 1: Inspiration-
Last Spring, I was strolling in Underwood Park, between Dekalb and Lafayette Avenues, in Clinton Hill, along a normal path I would take to drop off dogs I walk. Something catches my attention. First, it’s the dogs wanting to eat the sticks on the ground. Then, as I command them to “leave it,” someone sparks a conversation about the joy of seeing my well-trained companions and encourage me to keep a Journal of Reflections about my day-to-day dog lifestyle.

Entry 2: The Start-
Today, I thought back to my youth when my family had a dog, Diamond, my best friend. I was responsible for him. Even though it was a duty, I was happy to have the task of over seeing his growth. I remember on one Christmas I accidentally stepped on his foot. He yelped and hopped around in pain, trying to balance on his other three legs.

I was devastated! It broke my heart! I thought he was severely injured. It was so hard for me to look at the puppy, so I locked myself away in my room at the time. Family members banged and pleaded for me to open the door. “Akuro, let us in. He’s ok” After a while, I opened the door, and there was my pit wagging tail, letting me know, in his way, that he was ok; he was no longer limping. He seemed to forgive me; by wagging his tail and confirming he was still my best friend. On my daily walks with my clients’ dogs, I can’t help but remember that time in my life when Diamond was at the center of it.

The memory makes me feel as if I am doing the right thing now, with the creation of my dog-walking pet brand. the memory of Diamond encourages me to find better ways to be a dog keeper and being there for them as much as possible.

Entry 3: Remembering why-
It was important to write the beginning of my pet brand journey. I think that was the first and it helped remind me why I’m doing this. Not for money but companionship. It just led me to finding a way to make money and running another business as an entrepreneur. Meeting Our Time Press/Bernice was a blessing; God did that for a reason.

She informed me about making a visit to the New-York Historical Society Museum in Manhattan to see the “Pets in the City” exhibition centering around pets and their owners from the 18th to the 20th centuries in NYC and how times have changed. Excited to take the knowledge I get from it and pit it into the business.

It ended last April. The next few weeks were busy ones: I had Bruno and Lulu with me. Then Dora entered the picture.

Entry 4:The Day-to-Day-
Yesterday, was total dog walking and running with Thrasher, Coco, Lulu, Sabrina. I started out with an active run in Bed-Stuy. Thrasher enjoyed it; keeps him active in the morning so he can rest up before afternoon to start again.

I walked Lulu and energetic Coco, who is always so ready. Coming out, we ran into her enemy in the complex, resulting in a slight melee. Got through it, though. Then got back around my way to add Bruno to the mix. He doesn’t usually need a long walk but always poops. Today, he didn’t but Sabrina mentioned he did a lot of walking at the park that morning. So, he probably got a lot out then. Dropped everyone off aside from Coco, then it was her turn to get home.

After that, I hopped right on the train to a meeting. That all lasted about an hour and a half from walking the pups to getting Coco and finishing up. I began thinking I would like to add more time to the walks weekly.

Another hour or more would be fine, but only if it was just walks. Otherwise, I’m thinking of ways to get them out to a farm or open area just for them to run around. Outside of that I want to get more boarding clients. It’s always good pay and helps the branding/marketing side of the business.

Diary 5: Routine
As an entrepreneur, there can always be a lot of uncertainty, and lots of ups and downs with periods of no cash flow. But by time the routine and time management kick in to your benefit, all that time it took for you to build up a schedule with clients/ dog walks should work to your advantage.

When things slow down, if they do (hopefully they never do), there’s a frame to work within to help keep you busy and on top of things, and you’re always ready to pick back up. Right now, I am working toward receiving seven streams of income for my pet service including walks, boarding, treats, day trips, clothing and accessories, and more.

Perhaps, the most unexpected thing to come into my life was making a living by walking dogs. It has led me to be more understanding of animals in general, and protecting wildlife and keeping nature, top of mind.