RTDM: Kim Vaughn

Kim Vaughn
Owner, Dog Daycare
Winston Salem, NC

We want to get to know you! Briefly tell us about yourself: Where you came from, where you've been and how you're living your dream?

Graduated from UNC-CH, mother of 22 year old daughter, divorced, actuary/pension consultant for 7 years, executive benefits manager for a bank for 7 years, owner of a dog daycare and lodging business for 10 years

How do you define success?

successful relationships, success as a parent, enough money not to be stressed about it

What did it take to make your dream happen and when did you know you had arrived?

A lot and I mean a lot of hard work and dedication - that may sound cliche, but you really have to be willing to be a part of the everyday ups and downs to grow a business

What are you most proud of? Go ahead, boast a little!

I am most proud of my success as a parent. I think that I have been able to teach my daughter how to work hard and overcome barriers, but to also have balance in her life as well.

What was your biggest obstacle/fear and what was your turning point?

There was a point where I struggled to pay our company debts plus what I had to pay my ex-husband. In fact, there was some panic. But, I rallied our team and we began looking critically at what we could do within the business to increase revenue and reduce expenses. Then I found a small bank willing to refinance our loans and dramatically reduce our payments. Looking back, we made some great changes during that time.

What’s the best advice you’d give to a younger you?

Not to stress too much about what others think and to just focus on my own values.

How do you stay motivated and purposeful when you feel overwhelmed?

I make lists, prioritize and then do at least one or two easy tasks so that I feel a sense of accomplishment.

Tell us a time when a perceived failure was actually a blessing in disguise or served you in a surprising way.

Little things go wrong all the time. But after each time we have an issue with a client, an employee or a dog, we always try to evaluate what went wrong and how we can learn from it.

What is your favorite vice/guilty pleasure/strange habit? Come on now, we all have them!

Watching the Bachelorette with my daughter.

What's the smartest investment you’ve made for yourself?

My business.

What’s MOST important to you right now?

Improving my business and creating new training for our team.

Share 1-2 books you've given as gifts:

The Positive Dog, The Energy Bus

What have you learned to say no to?

It's difficult, but I have learned not to accept every offer to assist with non-profit work and focus on more on my business. For now, I'll help with non-profit work here and there because it is important. But, it is also important not to take my eye off the ball in my own business. I'll focus more on the non-profit work later in life.

What's something most people would never guess about you?

My weight is a constant battle.

Follow Kim: 
www.ruffhousing.com