As I was speaking with a fellow member of the Wesley Chapel Chamber at my first mixer, telling them how Pampered Paw Gifts came to be, they joking said, wow you should tell a reporter your story.
Thank you for the opportunity to share my business story with you.
In 2005, at 31, I was diagnosed with uterine cancer stage 1B, Endometriosis and Adenomyosis. In May of 2006, at 32, I had a total hysterectomy. I was told that if this was successful that I had a 5 year window in which it was likely to come back and if it did that my next step would be chemo.
Fast forward to 2009, I was 255lbs and had lost 136 pounds, I did not like to be that skinny so I gained back 62 of the 136 pounds, so I have maintained a loss of 72 pounds for 4 years. I am happy, healthy and cancer free and I have started (2007) to build my business, my passion for making tails wag and kitties purr. I had my business in draft mode for about 2-3 years but had never done anything with it. But after all that I have faced, I realized that life is way too short and precious to let go by without getting in there and doing something you really love. I have always had animals in my life. When I managed a luxury apartment/condo we had two bark parks for the doggies to run and play. I also made it a habit to have pet parades and always have treats on hand for my 4-legged residents to visit me at the front office. Due to economic times, I have returned to work as a leasing agent at a wonderful apartment community in Lakeland that adores animals as much as I do. But I still run my pet business as well.
I design dog and cat gift baskets and donate treat bags and gifts as well as donate time to help with rescue and adoption events. I donate a portion of my profits to select animal welfare organizations and local welfare organizations and charities. If you would like to see some of the charities and rescue groups, events, donations etc., you may see more at my website on the community-corner page¹. As I grow, I look forward to doing even more to give back to the animal rescue groups that need all of our help to continue with the great work that is needed 24-7. Last year I was very proud to help out by donating $2,075.00 in gifts and time to animal welfare organizations and local welfare organizations and charities.
I am the proud parent of 3 Chihuahuas and 2 Ragdoll cats, they are my official treat and toy testers. I love making gifts and sharing this special time with fellow animal lovers. My business is online so this makes it great for me to save on costs of a store and put more into finding great baskets and gifts to create for the fur babies, plus we are environment friendly. My eyes tear up with joy as the emails and letters with pictures come in to me about the joy their fur baby had opening my gifts that I made just for them. It is such a reward in itself and the reason that I truly love what I do.
Contact: Tera Hamby
Pampered Paw Gifts
Website: www.pamperedpawgifts.com
Unique Gifts Made With Love