Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Hanych
Hi Sarah, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve had the privilege of living in many places across the U.S. and Europe, including England and Germany, which are incredibly dog-friendly countries. When I moved to Knoxville, I was delighted to find that many businesses were welcoming to dogs. However, having experienced what truly dog-friendly cities can be like, I felt inspired to encourage Knoxville to take that movement even further.
My dog has always been a huge part of my life—she goes everywhere she’s allowed to go with me. I believe our dogs are only with us for a short time, so it’s important to create as many meaningful memories with them as we can.
I recently lost my dog Hazel, who lived with me in three different states and three different countries. Although I miss her deeply, I find peace in knowing that she lived an amazing life filled with adventures and experiences. She inspired me to celebrate the bond we share with our dogs and to make it easier for others to include their dogs in everyday life.
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?
Starting something new in a new place is never an easy journey, and that’s certainly been true for me. One of the biggest challenges has been encouraging businesses to try something new and join me on this mission to make Knoxville even more dog-friendly. Change can be difficult, especially when it involves rethinking long-standing habits or mindsets.
Some businesses are hesitant to embrace a more dog-friendly approach, and there have been moments of frustration when my outreach efforts didn’t gain as much traction as I’d hoped. On top of that, balancing my passion for this movement with the practical aspects of growing a sustainable business has been a significant learning experience.
Even with these challenges, I’ve found that persistence and a genuine love for what I do make all the difference. Those small wins—like when a business welcomes dogs for the first time or someone shares how they’ve created special memories with their pup at a place I recommended—remind me why I started this journey. They make all the effort completely worthwhile.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’ve had the privilege of working for the federal government for over 20 years, which has taken me to places all around the world and allowed me to experience diverse cultures and perspectives. This journey has shaped not only my career but also my personal passions, especially my love for travel and new experiences.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My biggest piece of advice for anyone just starting out is to pick something you’re truly passionate about. That passion will be your anchor during tough times and the reason you keep going when you feel like giving up. Building something from the ground up isn’t easy, and there will be moments when challenges feel overwhelming—but loving what you do makes all the difference.
I’ve also learned that running your own business means wearing many hats. You’re the strategist, marketer, accountant, and everything in between, especially in the early days. It can be daunting, but it’s also an incredible learning experience.
If I could go back, I’d remind myself to embrace the journey and trust that mistakes are part of the process. It’s okay not to have everything figured out right away. Stay curious, stay adaptable, and don’t be afraid to ask for help or seek advice from others who’ve been where you are.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dogfriendlyknoxvilletn.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dogfriendlyknoxville
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dogfriendlyknoxville
