Spotlight on Happy Hounds Founder, Nat Durack

Chatting with Natalie Durack on International Women's Day.

On this International Women's Day, we would like to honour and recognise the remarkable achievements of women in various fields. In particular, we are delighted to spotlight Natalie Durack who leads Happy Hounds Dog Walking and Pet Sitting.

Through her passion for animal welfare and a tireless dedication to providing exceptional service, Nat has established a thriving business. Join us in celebrating her accomplishments and learning about her inspiring journey as a young leader in the pet care industry.

Can you share a little bit about yourself? Where are you from? What are your interests? 

Hey everyone! I'm Nat - head honcho here at Happy Hounds. If we're going right back, my love for animals started in my childhood when growing up in the UK. My twin sister and I were often outdoors and around animals when it wasn't icy cold or raining. At our grandparent's house, we’d play with the dogs and cats - Kerry, Blue, Jack & Bertie, but also the more unusual animals that we often don't see here in Australia - hamsters, foxes, hedgehogs, domesticated pigeons, and even giant snails.

When we weren't feeding the foxes in the garden, we'd walk down to the heath, watch for squirrels, and try to avoid the stinging nettles. It was always a race to find the nearest dock leaf if we ever got stung!

Since then, I've always loved being out in nature, usually with a dog by my side. It feels strange if I don't have a dog with me! My favourite thing to do is take my own dog, Crystal (Crys for short), down to Main Beach for a sunset walk when the place is empty and she can chase the seagulls. She always has the biggest grin on her face.

When I'm not spending time with her, you'll find me at the local markets or with my head in a book (generally one about canine nutrition and behavior - big nerd here!). I'm also going through a whole country music phase at the moment (thanks Yellowstone).

What inspired you to step into the Pet Services Industry? Was it something you always wanted to do? How did you start?

My first dog walk was with my twin sister when we were just 10 years old and living in Sydney. We would purchase a big pack of sugary red clouds from the corner shop with our $2 reward. Eventually, we moved to sunny Queensland where I picked up more dog-walking jobs, after what felt like delivering 1000+ leaflets in letterboxes across our local estate. From that point onwards, I've done dog-walking and never stopped.

There's no doubt that family and friends (including me!), never would have thought that 10-year-old me, just wanting to earn some pocket money, would now be in the position that I am in today with Happy Hounds. 

What is your background? How did you develop the experience and skills to do what you’re doing now?

I completed a Bachelor of Science (majoring in Wildlife Biology) and Bachelor of Business (majoring in Management) and although I'd like to say that these studies propelled me into the role that I'm in now, that wouldn't be entirely true. It's really been more about developing the skills and knowledge and experiencing being a business owner and manager first-hand. There's no manual that can set you up with the how-to instructions on running the specific business that you want to create, as well as dealing with the very unique challenges that this industry faces. 

Business management aside, I've been walking dogs for 13 years now, which means many thousands of kilometers walked and countless pairs of runners.  I've been able to develop my knowledge of canine behavior, learn more about the quirks and traits of specific breeds, and further understand the relationship between our dogs and their handlers. 

Being surrounded by dogs every day and often responsible for their health and well-being, only continues to fuel my passion for canine nutrition. Educating pet owners about the important role nutrition plays in the longevity of our dogs' lives is really important to me and is something that I hope to pursue and further my knowledge on. 

As a young female entrepreneur have you come across many challenges as you pursue success in this industry? How have you overcome those challenges?

I think my biggest challenge has probably been a result of my own way of thinking. Imposter syndrome is very real and for someone still in their early twenties, there have been many times where I often doubt myself and feel too inexperienced, despite where Happy Hounds is today.

There will also always be people that want to bring you down, copy your ideas and doubt your abilities, particularly as one continues to grow. It’s been a process of trying to develop some thicker skin, have faith in my own abilities, and also trust in the services that we deliver. And never stop growing, of course!

What is your biggest achievement so far and what are you most proud of?

The biggest achievement is probably being where we are at now, as a business and as a team. We’ve been lucky enough to have helped over 2,000 pet owners and thousands more pets across the Gold Coast and Brisbane. It certainly hasn't been an easy feat, but something we're pleased to have accomplished. 

By doing what we do, it means that our pet parents get to go to work and not have to feel any guilt or worry about leaving their dogs in the house or yard all day. It means that many of our clients get to visit overseas family members that they haven’t seen in years, knowing that we’re there to take care of their home and furry family members. 

We’ve become more than 'just the dog walker or pet sitter' and are now a part of many people’s families. Some pets we've cared for over their entire life span, from when they were puppies to now senior pooches. This relationship and level of trust that we have developed is something that we never plan on taking for granted.

Establishing these relationships is something we're definitely most proud of, as well as the great team that we have today. Without their passion and hard work - walking dogs rain, hail or shine and scooping poop on a daily basis (someone's gotta do it!), we wouldn't be where we are today. 

Who are some of the women who inspire you? Who has helped you along the way?

I'll first start by saying that I couldn't have accomplished any of this without my team. I've been fortunate enough to meet many great women who share a similar passion for animals and strive to provide the best possible service to our clients.

 I'm grateful for the support of my sister and friends who have often had to deal with my meltdowns when a day hasn't gone as planned or I'm feeling overwhelmed with it all. They have helped keep me sane over the years. Everyone needs that, but especially small business owners.

Carri Robinson from Wild Heart Dogs has been a wonderful sounding board and confidante, helping me navigate this industry. And I can't forget the incredibly wise and supportive business advisor and friend, Monique from Deciphered. Monique has provided me with invaluable advice and endless support that means more than she probably realises. Her guidance has often kept me from throwing in the towel when the going gets tough.

Happy International Women's Day!

We hope you've enjoyed this small insight into Nat's experiences as a young female entrepreneur and that it helps to inspire and motivate other women to get out there and pursue their passion in business!

The Happy Hounds Team would like to take a moment to acknowledge and celebrate the incredible contributions that women have made and continue to make in our world, from leading nations and businesses to caring for families and communities.

Let's support and empower women everywhere, and work together to create a more equitable and just society for all. Happy International Women's Day!