Today we’d like to introduce you to Laurel Howe.
Hi Laurel, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have been a teacher for more than 25 years. My husband and I recently moved to Arizona after spending several years overseas working as international school teachers. While I continue to teach part-time, I realized I would need to supplement my teaching income.
After moving to the Tucson area, I noticed a growing need for reliable home and pet sitters in my community. This inspired me to start my own business last year, Hummingbird Housesitting and More. After researching how to become properly insured and bonded, I created my own website, began advertising on Nextdoor, and was fortunate to start working with clients soon after.
My busiest season is approaching as many winter residents leave for their summer homes and vacationers plan extended trips away. During these times, they need someone dependable to care for their homes, tend to indoor and outdoor plants, and look after their beloved pets. As my business continues to grow, I am also considering expanding my services to include pet transportation in the future.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
When I finally completed my website and prepared to advertise on social media, I felt a mix of excitement and uncertainty. Putting my website “live” and sharing my new business with the community felt like a big step, and I had moments of wondering if I was truly ready. I found myself asking questions like: What if no one reaches out? And on the other hand, what if the business becomes busier than I expect?
Starting something new naturally brought both enthusiasm and a few doubts. As someone new to the field, I spent time researching local competitors and thoughtfully determining fair pricing for my services. I also worked to become more organized in my home office and created clear business agreements so that I could provide professional, dependable service to my clients.
We’ve been impressed with Hummingbird Housesitting and More, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am the owner, founder, and manager of Hummingbird Housesitting and More, a small business I established to provide reliable and personalized housesitting and pet sitting services within my community. I care for clients’ homes while they are away for extended periods, whether traveling, on vacation, or seasonal residents.
My services include pet care, tending to indoor and outdoor plants, collecting mail and packages, performing home security checks, handling special requests during or after storms, and providing regular updates with photos and videos. I also offer light cleaning and report any inquiries from the homeowner to ensure peace of mind while they are away. As the business has grown, I have expanded to include local transportation assistance and am currently exploring the potential to offer long-distance pet transportation in the future.
I am proud of the client feedback and reviews. I have slowly been building upon my experience and reputation as a reliable, responsible, friendly, and conscientious business owner.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I’ve always been someone who embraces new experiences, even when they come with a little risk. I’ve spent over 25 years as a language teacher, and more than ten of those years living and teaching overseas. My husband, children, and I have called Indonesia, Lebanon, Zimbabwe, and Vietnam home while teaching at international schools. Each move meant applying for jobs in places we had never been, packing up our lives, and starting fresh in a completely new environment. It was challenging, sometimes daunting, but always full of adventure and learning.
Starting Hummingbird Housesitting and More as a “side hustle” was another leap of faith, though much less intimidating than moving across the world every few years! I wasn’t sure at first how I would balance two roles, but I knew I wanted to create a service that was reliable, caring, and professional. With my experiences abroad, I’ve learned to embrace challenges with confidence and curiosity. Taking thoughtful risks is part of who I am, and it’s guided me in building a business I’m proud of—one that helps my community and gives clients peace of mind while they’re away from home.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hummingbirdhousesitting.com
