Sophia Bunten

So nice to meet you! First off, what’s your name? Tell our readers a bit about yourself—where you’re from originally and where you live now.

I’m Sophia Bunten, originally from Greenwood, Indiana, and now living in Seguin, Texas. I have degrees in Animal Science, Equine Business Management, and Western Equestrian Studies, and animals have always been a big part of my life.

Tell us one thing you love about where you live now.

I love how Seguin has a small-town feel while still being conveniently located near both Austin and San Antonio, with the beautiful Texas Hill Country and so many fun places and unique things to explore just a short drive away.

Tell us a little more about what your company does and how it started. How does it help your customers?

Cozy Canine Retreat offers in-home dog boarding and daycare, drop-in visits, and dog walking. With my background in Animal Science, I wanted to create an alternative to traditional kennel boarding that combines the comfort of a home environment with the high standards, quality of care, and expertise you’d expect from a professional boarding facility. My education has helped shape my approach to animal care, including incorporating structured enrichment into each day to keep dogs mentally stimulated, engaged, and happy. My goal is to provide every pup with personalized, attentive care while giving their owners peace of mind.

If someone wants to start a business, what advice would you give them?

My biggest advice is to connect with other business owners, ask questions, and do plenty of research before getting started. With home-based businesses creating new opportunities, it’s a great time to turn your passion into something of your own. What I’ve learned through running Cozy Canine Retreat is that building a successful boutique, home-based dog care business takes more planning and preparation than people might expect. For example, working with a CPA firm early on helped me understand estimated tax payments and year-end taxes. They also helped me establish a system I can continue to use as my business grows, without the ongoing expense of relying on a CPA full-time as a small business owner.

What is one piece of feedback from a happy customer or client that you won't forget?

One piece of feedback that really stuck with me was from a client whose dog had never been boarded alone before, especially after recently losing his longtime companion. The owner shared that they had concerns about this new experience but that we “made the entire experience wonderful” and that their pup “truly enjoyed his stay.” They also mentioned how our daily updates and photos gave them “so much peace of mind.” Hearing that we could make both the dog and his owners feel comfortable and cared for is exactly why I started Cozy Canine Retreat. As a small business with a limited marketing budget, word-of-mouth referrals mean so much to us. Every positive experience and recommendation helps us reach new families and build trust within our community. I also love surprising some of our most loyal customers with a homemade loaf of bread as a small way to show my appreciation for their continued support and for trusting us with their pups.

Where do you see your company in the future?

The aspirations I had when I first started Cozy Canine Retreat are still the same today. My goal is to grow my pet care business while maintaining a boutique approach that prioritizes personalized attention, small groups, and high standards of care rather than simply increasing capacity. I want to continue reaching more pet owners in our community while preserving the comfortable, home-like environment and individual attention that make Cozy Canine Retreat special.

What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

One misconception is that in-home boarding is less professional than traditional kennel boarding. While there are many wonderful in-home providers, some operate informally without the proper precautions, procedures, or consistent standards of care. At Cozy Canine Retreat, I take a thoughtful, structured approach to care, from professional intake forms and vaccination requirements to encouraging meet-and-greets and providing daily photo updates. My background in Animal Science also helps inform my approach to understanding each dog’s individual needs, temperament, and activity level. By keeping groups small and providing supervised play, we can offer attentive, personalized care in a comfortable home environment while giving owners peace of mind. Where Cozy Canine Retreat really shines is in how we incorporate structured enrichment into each day. The dogs especially love our puzzle toys and pupsicles! Mental stimulation is an important part of a dog's overall well-being, just as much as physical activity, so we make enrichment a consistent part of each dog's stay.

What has been one of your biggest struggles building your business, and how did you deal with it?

One of my biggest challenges while establishing my business has been finding the right technology and software to manage daily operations. As a small business, it can be difficult to find platforms that offer the features I need while still being affordable and the right fit for the size and needs of my business.

Who was your favorite music artist and athlete growing up?

I’ve always enjoyed a variety of music, but country has always been one of my favorites. I never really had one specific favorite artist or athlete growing up. I was involved in sports, but my interests naturally leaned more toward animals and equestrian activities, which eventually influenced my education and career path. I always dreamed of having an Australian Shepherd of my own and a horse, and getting both truly felt like a dream come true. Today, I get to combine that love for animals with my education and run Cozy Canine Retreat, which makes doing what I love every day even more rewarding.

Any shoutouts you want to make?

A huge shoutout to my family for their constant advice, encouragement, and support throughout this journey. Having people behind me who believe in what I’m building and continue to cheer me on has meant so much. To Kevin, for not only supporting me but also helping make Cozy Canine Retreat run smoothly every day. And, of course, to our amazing clients! Their trust and support mean so much to us, and I’m incredibly grateful to have them as part of our journey.

Where can our readers learn more about you and your company?

Readers can learn more about Cozy Canine Retreat on our website at https://sebunten.wixsite.com/cozy-canine-retreat or follow us on social @cozycanineretreat26 to see what we’re up to and keep up with our furry friends.