Bobbie Abdallah is a seasoned dog content writer who turned her passion for dogs into a thriving business. From leaving the corporate world to launching Denver’s first mobile doggie daycare, her journey has been bold, authentic, and inspiring.
Today, as the founder of Cold Noses News, she helps dog professionals — trainers, groomers, walkers, daycare providers, and more — boost their visibility with impactful, dog-focused content.
In this exclusive PETBIZS interview, Bobbie shares how storytelling and consistency shaped her path in the pet industry.
Bobbie, thank you for joining us today! To start, could you share a little about yourself and how your business began?
Of course, I’d be happy to share. My journey into the pet industry wasn’t a straight path.
After 13 years in the corporate world, I was burned out and beyond frustrated. One month before 9/11/01, I submitted my resignation and made plans to leave Philadelphia and move to Denver, where I would start a business I had long dreamed of, one that would involve dogs.
In 2001, I launched Denver’s first mobile doggie daycare — long before “dog mom” was a household term and pet services were trendy. What started as a passion project quickly became a pack of loyal, tail-wagging regulars who followed me everywhere, earning me the nickname “Pied Piper.”
Over the years, my love for dogs has always remained constant. They’ve inspired, guided, and led me to where I am today – a seasoned and recognized K9 writer (Dog Content Writer) and pet industry marketer (for over 11 years now) serving dog trainers, groomers, walkers, and other pet care professionals, helping them amplify their overall impact and grow their businesses.
That’s inspiring, Bobbie. What sparked the idea to create your brand in the pet industry?
Well, that came at a big turning point in my life.
When I decided to finally move to my dream location, Lake Tahoe (a 20+ year dream), it meant creating a new business for myself. Well-paying jobs in Tahoe are scarce, and I had neither the desire nor the experience to join the hospitality industry.
So, I decided to leverage my experience from the mobile doggie daycare business in Denver, combine my journalism and graphic design education, and become a sought-after content writer in the dog niche.
Your business name is unique — what’s the story behind choosing it?
I’ve always believed that business names should be simple and easy to understand at a glance.
For instance, Apple’s logo has never changed (it’s been updated, but not changed). Seeing that logo tells you everything you need to know about the company and its products. That’s great branding!
So, I applied the same principle to Cold Noses News, i.e., news about dogs with cold noses. People often remark on its simplicity and creativity, but best of all, they remember us!
As a dog content writer, can you walk us through the main products or services you offer?
Of course — this is the fun part. Cold Noses News offers three main areas of content marketing:
- Completely done- and branded-for-you monthly newsletters for busy dog professionals/businesses.
- Dog-specific blog posts that are SEO-optimized and sourced from science and industry experts with engaging images.
- Customized marketing collateral to promote, educate, and connect with potential clients.
Starting a business is never easy. What were some of the toughest challenges you faced early on?
In a word, visibility! Visibility is everything; if potential clients don’t know you exist, they won’t hire/use you. In 2001, content was still in its infancy, so a significant portion of my time was spent educating owners on the importance of content, including newsletters and blogs. Today, the marketplace is extremely crowded, so that’s a new challenge.
How did you manage to overcome those challenges, and what lessons stayed with you?
The biggest lesson is this … never stop marketing! The moment you do, people will forget about you and move on to your competitor.
In addition, never stop talking about your business on all kinds of platforms – you never know where your next client is coming from, so test different options to see what works best for you!
And, last but not least, go out and hustle, and don’t get sucked into the “experts” who tell you to do this or that, unless you have deep pockets. Always do what feels authentic to you and your brand, which will attract more business than gimmicks or pricey ads.
Being a dog content writer, is there a particular moment or milestone in your journey that made you feel proudest?
There have been many small moments (don’t forget to celebrate the small stuff, too!) when dog owners have reached out and thanked me for the valuable information in my content that helped them with an issue with their dog.
Moreover, winning awards was also a nice validation of the work I was doing, and for some potential clients, that meant everything in their decision to hire me. Again, you never know what little thing will actually push a potential client to become a client.
When I hit 10 years in business, that was a really special moment too! I’m here to stay!
Who do you consider your primary customers, and how do you engage with them?
My primary clients are dog professionals. For example:
- Groomers and mobile grooming businesses
- Trainers and behavior specialists
- Walkers and pet-sitting services
- Kennels, boarding centers, and daycares
- Retail shops and specialty boutiques
- Massage therapists and holistic practitioners
- Poop scooping services
- Pet Product brands and service-based companies
- And many others across the pet industry
I prefer to connect directly with dog professionals/businesses by reaching out to them personally. Networking platforms like LinkedIn and Alignable are invaluable for identifying decision-makers and reaching out to them directly. Even just using the free versions provides a plethora of leads and information.
Of course, referrals are priceless, and I offer a high referral fee of 20% for all referrals that become paid clients.
In addition, consistent and regular social media posts are a subtle way to educate potential clients as a market expert and establish the trust necessary for people to use and refer you. And don’t forget to post on your Google Business Profile as well for improved search results!
What kind of feedback do you hear most often from people who use your products or services?
Our clients love our services and typically remain with us for the long term. We make it very easy to work with us. We are responsive and dependable, and we also love helping every client with unsolicited marketing ideas to grow their business in different ways, free of charge. In other words, we over-deliver.
In your opinion, what makes your business stand out from others in the pet industry?
We believe in – and deliver – best–in–class customer service. (A pet peeve from my corporate days when those in charge would hide from clients.) If there’s something we can do to help a client, we will do our best to assist them.
For example, all the blogs we ghostwrite are also shared on our social media platforms, at no additional charge, to increase their visibility. As I mentioned before, visibility is everything! We also help our clients network with people we know to grow their influence and again, visibility.
How do you approach marketing and building visibility for your brand?
I like to be unique and stand out from the crowd, outside the proverbial “box.” When I was in the corporate world, there was only one way to do something (the way it had always been done!), and new ideas were frowned upon. When I started Cold Noses News, I decided to do things differently, providing top-tier customer service and value to my clients.
I love educating people, whether it’s with their dogs or their dog businesses. So much of my marketing involves providing free value – things people haven’t thought about. In-your-face selling turns people off. But offering something of value is memorable.
As I mentioned earlier, I utilize both Alignable and LinkedIn for generating leads. But I also share a lot of value on those platforms! Marketing is a long-term game, and I’ve had many people tell me they’ve been watching me for a while before reaching out to me.
I have also made regular Pet Industry networking meetings a part of my monthly schedule. These are excellent opportunities to meet others in the industry, learn about their needs, and freely offer tips and tricks they can immediately apply after the meeting. There’s no faster way for someone to remember you than when you offer something valuable for their business!
When you think about the future, where do you see your business in the next five years?
Growing and evolving! 😊 While we focus on business clients, in the end, we are looking to help the owners of dogs by knowing – and doing – better for these incredible creatures! We believe what Maya Angelou said is true: when you know better, you do better. And at the end of the day, we want to improve the lives of dogs everywhere! We remain open to any opportunities that allow us to do that around the world.
What advice would you share with someone who is just starting in the pet industry?
- First, it’s never too late to start!
- Second, always stay true to your dream and vision; it’s yours for a reason.
- Be open to suggestions and ideas, but you know your business best. Not everyone has you – or your business’s – best interests at heart. Always trust yourself first.
- Create and nurture a group of people you trust. There will be hard days, questions, and situations where you won’t know the answers. That’s ok! Turn to those you trust … and do the same for them. Be sure to invite people outside your industry to the group, their opinions and ideas are invaluable!
How can our readers learn more about your business or get in touch with you?
- Check out our brand-new website at ColdNosesNews.com
- Follow us on Facebook, Alignable, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Google
- You can also reach me directly at [email protected]
Finally, what message would you like to leave with the PETBIZS community?
If you own a business, congratulations – you are part of an exclusive club, regardless of its size. Do what you love and you won’t “work” another day in your life. The world needs what you are offering.
AND if you need help with content marketing, reach out to us today!
And if you’re a dog parent, receive our monthly dog newsletter for FREE by going to our website and entering our upcoming raffle (only open to US residents)!
Thank you, Bobbie, for your time and for sharing such valuable insights about your business. Let’s wrap it up!
Bobbie Abdallah’s story shows that success in the pet industry comes from authenticity, persistence, and love for dogs. Through Cold Noses News, she continues to empower businesses as a trusted dog content writer, delivering content that not only markets but also educates and connects.
Her message is clear: never stop sharing your story, because visibility builds trust, and trust drives growth. For anyone building a career around dogs, Bobbie’s journey is proof that with the right vision, your passion can truly become your profession.
