A story of passion
Starting a business for the love of dogs
Written by Place de la Cité | March 1, 2021
In this series, our contributor Julie Blondin goes out to meet the entrepreneurs who make up the soul of Place de la Cité. Between laughter and confidences, they open up to share their story and that of their business with us. We invite you to dive into their world too, one conversation at a time.
When dreams come true
A great lover of dogs all her life, Annick tells us how her passion for these little furry creatures has given her career a new direction.
How did you become an entrepreneur?
“It was a coincidence!” Annick tells us that after working for about fifteen years in the field of communications and marketing, she had a bit of a midlife crisis and that’s how her idea came to her. “I’ve always loved dogs, so I thought to myself: why not a business where people could shop with their dogs?” She quickly set up her concept, to the delight of canines, and humans too!
Proud to stand out from the crowd
During our conversation with Annick, it is easy to see that she really enjoys working with dogs. Voluble and bubbly, she tells us one funny anecdote after another from her career.
What makes you stand out?
It is well known that being able to shop with your dog is a rather unique concept. But Chien Mondain is much more than that. “We have fitting tables, we have a daycare, we offer a grooming service,” explains the visionary entrepreneur. The consultants can even guide the owner in choosing the best cut for their pet. And through all these services, Annick and her team get to know the owners and their dog’s life. “There are great love stories with our customers at Chien Mondain, it’s really special.”
The attention paid to the customer and their faithful companion is not the only trademark of Chien Mondain. For Annick, what sets her shop apart is the care with which each product on sale is selected. She explains that the range may be smaller than in other pet shops, but each item is carefully selected and even tested by her and the team members. The result? “Customers know that all our products have already been approved,” which gives them confidence in Chien Mondain, she says with pride.
What is it that still keeps you so passionate?
According to her, there is nothing more motivating than recognition. “All the positive comments from customers tell me that we are in the right place and that we have a good niche,” she says, touched and proud. And of course, sharing her love of dogs with a clientele that is just as passionate as she is is the best part of her job. “Some people come in every day, just to pet the dogs. It’s like their little daily dose of happiness!” she says with a smile. And Annick is quite right: it’s impossible not to be in a good mood when you see these little bundles of love!
Knowing how to follow your nose
What is the biggest challenge you have faced?
The wonderful story of Chien Mondain has not been without its pitfalls, however, and Annick had to overcome doubts and criticism at the beginning. “When I arrived on the market, what I found most difficult was people’s fear of being judged by others because they choose to put something very fashionable on their dog.”
She confides that she has had to explain herself a million times to people who did not understand the reason for dressing a dog. To skeptics, she simply replies: “I think that investing in a living being and taking care of it, because it is a life companion that brings us so much, is worth just as much, if not more, than investing in all the material things in our life.”
The persevering entrepreneur says that fortunately, 8 years after the launch of her company, the market has developed, people have become accustomed to it and it is much more accepted today to accessorize dogs. And change is part of everyday life for Annick, who makes sure that her dog clothes follow the latest trends and that she always meets the expectations of her customers. Given the success of Annick and her shop, one can say that she had the right instinct in launching her concept that showcases humans’ best friend.
