KennelStart was founded by Jaime Van Wye, who currently serves as the Dog Daycare Chair for the Pet Care Services Association (formerly the American Boarding Kennel Association). She is also a regular columnist for Dog’s Life Magazine and the Pet Care Services Journal. Jaime is a nationally-recognized speaker on topics of kennel management and facility startup.

Jaime grew up in Los Angeles, as one of those kids with a penchant for bringing home dozens of lost dogs. During her college years at U.C. Berkeley, Jaime worked as a cook at the top restaurant in the country, Chez Panisse, learning the finer points of the hospitality industry (as well as how to make a mean roast chicken). After a tour of Europe, and a stint learning the ins and outs of retail purchasing with the buyers at Williams-Sonoma, she left the corporate environment, moved back to L.A., and became a dog trainer.

In 2001, Jaime set out to create Los Angeles’ very best dog kennel, modeled on the concepts of customer service and high-end hospitality she had honed during her customer service and restaurant background. After months of research, hard work, haggling, creative financial backing, and construction, she opened ROVER.

ROVER soon became the go-to kennel in L.A., frequented by the dogs of celebrities like Tom Cruise, Kelly Clarkson, and Tyra Banks, as well as Hollywood’s movie and television producers, directors, agents, and society elite. But ROVER wasn’t just a high-class joint for the wealthy. The kennel was busy: frequented by average, pet-loving folks with less recognizable names who nevertheless demanded the finest care for their family members.

Jaime soon became accustomed to the inevitable comment, “Wow, you look young to own your own business!” and undaunted, grew ROVER from only two employees to over 25 in just under three years. The business became a tremendous success, grossing over $750,000 in the first year alone, with revenue channels in retail, training, boarding, grooming, and daycare.

Jaime sold ROVER in early 2007 to focus on consulting and her true passion, developing products and writing books that are informative, interesting, and useful.

Jaime is also the owner and director of a dog training and agility center in Los Angeles, the Zoom Room Dog Agility Training Center, as well as the author of the satirical self-help book, How to Have an Ill-Behaved Dog.

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