Many dream of walking out on their corporate nine-to-fives for a life spent running their own business and tending to beloved pets.
For married couple Tommaso D'Ovidio and Kenya-Jade Pinto, this dream has turned into reality, with D'Ovidio swapping his career in tech for the pitter-patter of tiny dachshund paws in the unlikeliest yet most fulfilling career pivot. The couple, along with Pinto's 57-year-old mother Kimberly, have embarked on a unique entrepreneurial journey, opening Kevin's House, a sausage dog hotel in Toronto.
The trio's decision to open the dachshund-only staycation facility was inspired by their family pet, Kevin, a sociable female dachshund with a penchant for her own kind.
"Tom and I started hosting dachshunds just over a year ago after he decided to make a career change," Pinto, 34, told Newsweek. "He was in the thick of his big pivot out of tech.
"Something didn't feel quite right for him, and even though it was a hard emotional and financial decision, it was the right one. It also meant that he, and we, had more space and time to do something unhinged."
The spark for their pet-centric business was fueled by Kevin's specific social preferences. The pair have since focused on getting their business to flourish from their own desire to fulfill Kevin's social needs.
"Kevin only likes dachshunds, and when I say like, I really mean love," Pinto said. "Knowing that Kev's life is full, rich, and fun-filled is what keeps us going."
Despite its positives, the couple's journey was not devoid of challenges. After D'Ovidio began pursuing a master's in architecture in September, the couple contemplated winding down their burgeoning venture. The outpouring of support from their clients, coupled with their emotional investment in the business, led them to an unconventional solution.
"We decided to hire my mum full-time," Pinto said. "At the risk of coming across overly earnest or cliché, I will say that it's such a privilege."
Kevin's House taps into a niche market by focusing not just on dog boarding but on creating a bespoke, breed-specific experience. Dachshunds, known for their smaller stature, distinctive personalities and social preferences, can find a tailored environment at the facility.
"Sausages teach you things," Pinto said. "They're not like other breeds, they will not just offer their unconditional love at the first instance.
"They often require an earned, sustained trust."
Their venture was recently shared in a post to Instagram under @kevinshouse.to, garnering widespread attention. The video, uploaded on September 20, showed D'Ovidio, 35, greeting multiple excited dachshunds at his front door—a depiction of his new normal.
The video captioned, "Unhinged? Absolutely. The dream?" quickly gained traction, resonating with pet lovers worldwide.
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