The Keri Croft Show
The Keri Croft Show
SZN 4, EP-9 Lauryn Betterton on dog parks, relationship boundaries and entrepreneurship
Starting a business? Community is everything! And know one knows that better than Lauren Betterton, the brains behind Bumble’s Backyard in Columbus, Ohio. This absolute ray of sunshine joins the pod to talk about building a dog park that’s really about bringing people together. We get into the highs and lows of launching something from scratch, working with a partner and learning to ask for help. Whether you’re a dog lover, an entrepreneur, or just craving connection, tune in!
Hey there you beautiful badass. Welcome to the Keri Croft Show. I'm your host, keri Croft, delivering you stories that get you pumped up and feeling like the unstoppable savage that you are. So grab your coffee, put on your game face and let's do this thing, baby face. And let's do this thing, baby Struggling to hit those big company goals you set last year. Well, q1 is almost over. Are you making real progress or just telling yourself? You still have time?
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Speaker 1:Lauren Betterton. That, lauren betterton, that's right. That's right. Welcome to the kerry croft show. Thank you, I will say. Your hair and that lighting, I mean, you're looking like a queen, thank you. That feels good, okay. So let's tee this up. How you and I came to be sitting in these seats together? I put out something about hey, you know, let's get on a calendar if you're looking to start something, because 2025 is where I'm trying to set the table I want people in this universe to be drawn to me like a magnet. So like, whether you're trying to start your family building, whether you're trying to start a business, or whether you're trying to start something internally, like your inner badass, I want to be like a magnet for those peeps. Yeah, so you and I'll let you take it from here. But you saw that, yeah, and you signed up, yeah. And then what I said I'm in.
Speaker 2:I said I'm in Kind of starting things is my whole life right now, and so it felt like the perfect chance to be like, yeah, let's talk about starting a business, which is what I'm in the middle of, and starting a business also unlocks like starting all the new things in your life. I feel like it's not just one thing, it's everything right now, and so I'm here to talk to you about starting a business specifically catered to dogs and their people.
Speaker 1:You know, and so what you put in the beginning of your intake form when I asked you about starting and you were saying how you can't do things alone you had put a whole paragraph around community and support system and making sure that you ask for help was that part of you reaching out, being like you know what? Here's this random, this random offering a hundred percent from this crazy woman. I love pep talk and.
Speaker 2:I'm gonna. I'm gonna do that. Yes, absolutely. So. I'm an Oprah kid, like. I grew up watching Oprah as a child and, um, I'm sure she probably stole this from someone or maybe not. If Oprah's listening, she has this thing where she's like you know, if the universe wants to learn a lesson, it like tosses a pebble and then, if you don't pay attention, it kind of like gets a bigger rock and then eventually it's like brick upside the head. And so the brick upside the head lesson that the universe wants me to learn is like ask for help, like people want to help you. Um, help, like people want to help you. And so this did feel like the perfect opportunity of like, hey, you're trying to build this thing and you are trying to start something. Here is the universe saying hey, do you want to talk to someone whose whole thing is starting things? Take this, you should do that.
Speaker 1:It's a great point. I grew up in the sales world, so my first job out of college was selling IT services to companies. So I've always asked for things, because when you're a salesperson and every salesperson out there is going to shake their head like, oh yeah, you're right, you have to go into offices, call people, cold call, and literally it's the most vulnerable, horrible thing, like it's up there with public speaking. And so I built that muscle who are creatives, who are masterminds in their own way, but asking for help, oh my God, how cringy.
Speaker 2:Right, I'm like, oh my God, I could never, like I don't want to put you out, like, please don't worry about it. Like my current example. So at our business, we have like it's like a half acre that this business sits on and, um, we have 10,000 square feet of turf. It's beautiful. I don't know if you've noticed the weather this week has just been such a delight, such a joy for the, for the listener. It's currently 15 degrees outside, um, and so we had this like the snow on Sunday, and then the snow froze and so all of our turf had like an inch of ice on it.
Speaker 2:It was like six hours, over three days, of like trying to get all the ice off of the turf. And so we were posting on our instagram story and one of our beloved members messaged and was like, hey, do you need help? Like I can come help you scrape ice off the turf. And I literally was brought back to this of like asking for help, and I was like it had never occurred to me to ask anyone of like, hey, could anyone help us? Like clear all this ice off? And people want to help you. Like we are in community, people want to help each other. Sometimes you just have to ask or at least, like, give people the opportunity to say, hey, do you need help? Because people want to help, I want to help.
Speaker 1:That's point number one from this. The takeaway from this show is asking for help. Use your intuition, use your street smarts. Don't just go asking everyone for help every day, all the time.
Speaker 3:Yeah, don't abuse it.
Speaker 1:So that's the thing though it's like there is an art to ask for help as well. So I'm not saying to this newbie out there, this baby entrepreneur, it's like, go ask every Tom, dick and Harry for help. Use that card when you need it.
Speaker 2:And be relationship based. Oh for sure, yeah, even today. It's not like I hunted you down on the street and be like hi, can I come talk? Like no, like build a. If it's authentic, people want to help and use it.
Speaker 1:And I will say too, like getting on my Calendly. This is just a PSA for some of you motherfuckers out there that need a little help. Getting on my Calendly and doing a little Zoom and getting some FaceTime isn't a bad way. Now I'm not automatically going to be like, hey, everybody come on the show. It has to, it has to be, you know there has to be a pulse.
Speaker 3:You know, come on the show. It has to.
Speaker 1:It has to be you know there has to be a pulse. You know, okay, so we're not going to go straight into this Bumbles backyard dog park and bar, that you have so many great things about this business idea. But we're going to. We're going to get there. So I asked you to describe yourself. And how would other people describe you? Give me a couple of the words.
Speaker 2:Horrible baker. I am the first person to volunteer to cook for you if you're sick. I am a very hard worker. I'm a recovering perfectionist and also a recovering people pleaser. I love food and coffee and I love Columbus very much. I feel like I'm an encyclopedia of Columbus knowledge. But I'm also a Southerner it's like a Southerner Midwest Nice, like it's all just kind of blending inside of me.
Speaker 1:So you also mentioned that your upbringing wasn't exactly all you know, roses and it was not roses nor daisies? No, no, a lot of, a lot of fucking wildflowers and weeds in that motherfucker. Okay, so you said something about you grew up with a single mom, super chaotic, had some issues. Do you think that that relationship with your mom is what sprouted the perfectionist and the people pleasing A hundred percent? What did that look?
Speaker 2:like yeah, so I grew up single mom household. Um, I was definitely in charge of, like, the emotions of the house and so, if I was perfect and straight laced and everything like happened exactly as it was supposed to, everything was fine. Like I kind of like managed everything with my behavior, so, as a result, I was really rewarded for that. Like my brain was like, hey, when you act this way, like everything stays a little more together than it would otherwise. And it took me, you know, I don't know 15-ish years to start identifying that in myself and say like, hey, you don't have to be this way in order for people to love you, in order for things to go well, in order for your life to be not chaotic. Like you're allowed to make mistakes, you're allowed to be vulnerable, you're allowed to ask for help. It doesn't all just have to sit on your shoulders. But it was definitely. I was the adult of the house from the age of, you know, six years old.
Speaker 1:How does that track now with your?
Speaker 2:mom, we, it doesn't track with her anymore. We have not had a relationship for the last five years or so, and that has been. It's really weird for people to like what do you mean? You don't talk to your mom, or like, what do you mean you don't have a relationship with her? Um, it is like the best gift that I could have given myself was to say like no, we're, we're done with this, we're drawing this boundary, um, and you know, I feel like there's a growing number of people who have that kind of relationship with their parents. So it's less hard for people to kind of look at you like you have three heads and be like OK, you're crazy, then you must be insane. It's like no, this is like truly the best thing that I could do for myself, and I have so many other people in my life who are parents to me that this one, you know, did not did not make the cut.
Speaker 1:And that's OK. In today's age of social media and the access to so much information, I have noticed a lot more conversation around boundaries with family. No matter who's in your life, I don't care what. Like take all their title off, whether it's dad, mom, best friend. Like, remove titles and just look at behavior and energy exchange and how things make you feel you have to create boundaries and remove toxicity. And if it just so happens that the title of that person is mom, dad, best friend, whatever it's your responsibility.
Speaker 2:It's your life. You get to decide like how that person plays into it. Your responsibility.
Speaker 3:It's your life. You get to decide, like, how that person plays into it. Hey, maria Milligan, here with RE-MAX Premier Choice. Being a realtor here means being part of a community. I'm more than just a business card. I'm someone you'll see around town. I build trust with my clients because I care about this community and the people in it. Ready to take that next step? Let's do it together. Text me at 614-314-1355.
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Speaker 1:I fell in love with you after this intake form. Honey, look out, keep him behind closed doors. Uh, you meet evan when you're 16 a little baby just a child. He has provided you with sort of this family unit that is safe. I can just tell that you're just gushing out every orifice yeah for this man.
Speaker 1:Yeah, oh, that fan that really that could have hold on a minute. Can we rewind? Where did I come up with gushing out of every orifice? What's an orifice? Let's look that up real quick. Orifice, an opening as of a pipe or tube? Oh god.
Speaker 2:Or one in the body, oh shit oh, such as a nostril or the anus, oh okay, well, I think it's worse.
Speaker 1:It's worse now that we know the definition, so this man this man. I say all this to say he's very special. He is very special and he also came from a tumultuous do you think looking back did that kind of attract you guys to where you're like, okay, everything's crazy, let's be safe together totally.
Speaker 2:We were both really developed by the environments that we were in and had this desire to be like we don't want any part of this, like we don't want to ever be in this like situation in our lives and like we're just kind of making it right now, and so it was definitely a how-to guide of like what not to do. So I think we were both really driven by that and forged by that, and so that really helped us kind of like be immediately stable, of like we don't yell, we don't call each other names, we don't like manipulate each other and mess with each other's emotions, and for that I think that's also very powerful when you're 16 to be like, wow, this person is like checking every box of something that I would be looking for, like in a partner.
Speaker 1:Um, it's just insane that it was at 16 years old but there have to be things from both of you that have been like they die hard. What are those things? There have to be some things where you're like okay, I'm, I'm still working on this. Yeah, this is a trigger yep, fighting.
Speaker 2:It's like, how are you supposed to fight without yelling each other, tearing each other apart and being like and six months ago you? So that has been the thing for me personally that I'm like okay, you got to work on this and like not everything is a fight, like not everything. He did not do this to slight you, you know of, like don't think something. So, personally, like he's just a person and you're just a person, I think that has been the biggest thing for me, and especially when we first got married, I was afraid to fight because I was like, oh, if we fight, we're getting a divorce, obviously. Like that's what marriage is, um, and so it was like, okay, I've got to bottle all this up and like I can't say anything and like we don't fight, we don't fight, we don't fight.
Speaker 2:And then now it has become this like hey, if you have a feeling or if you have a thought, like just say it. And like they probably want to talk to you about it, kind of like this, going back to asking for help, like he's not, he's never trying to be an asshole, like he's never waking up in the morning, being like today I'm just going to piss Lauren off all day long, and so learning the language of like, how do you say when something's upsetting you? And when he asks, hey, you seem a little off, is everything okay? Saying no, I'm not okay, that's an okay answer, like that's appropriate. I think that that communication has been the biggest thing to like, unlearn and learn for me personally, because it is okay to fight, it is totally okay to fight.
Speaker 1:I am not an expert, but I will say this you got to fight fair. So, like name calling and you know all these things, Like if you are just openly saying you know what, yeah, I'm irked, this bugged me, You're going to have your. Your tones are probably going to be raised a little bit. A little good old fashioned argument between lovers, lovers, beloved Cause you know, there is this thing called makeup sex, where you get into each other's orifices later on.
Speaker 3:Okay, there is a positive tubes, also known as positive the fighting.
Speaker 1:Okay, whenever I hear somebody say they don't fight, in my head I'm thinking red flag, you don't fucking fight. Yeah, really, somebody is suppressing and you know what happens when you suppress y'all? Yeah, that thing's gonna blow, yeah and that builds your relationship.
Speaker 2:Yes, like you're not meant to be 100 in alignment all the time, like you are two people coming into this relationship, you both get your own opinions, ideas, beliefs, values, like all of that is intention with each other, like work on each other you guys are not only lovers, that's right married, married, but now you are also working on a business together which partners talk about like it's amazing, but it also adds complexity because you're doing everything all the time.
Speaker 1:So let's talk about bumble's backyard, shall we and how this how this little doggy park bar community popped up.
Speaker 2:This was a covid idea. The backstory is whenever dog parks were closing, things were freaking weird around covid. Um, we were like we really miss people and bumble was 100, our lifeline of like we take him for a and like he's this little sidekick for us, like he was such an anchor for us during COVID. We live in Italian Village, shout out to Italian Village and have this like very weirdly great backyard for Italian Village, fully fenced in kind of like perfect for dogs, fenced in kind of like perfect for dogs. And so what we would do on Wednesdays this was back when Polly G's had three for 30 we on I think it was Wednesday nights um, we would order Polly G's takeout, we would bring it to our home and we had this like list of people who had dogs in our like friend circle and we would invite over a friend and their dog and we would eat pizza, drink beer and the dogs would play. We called this backyard hangs. It was a standing google calendar placeholder, therefore making it the most important thing in this world. Um, if it has a google calendar event, um, and it was the best and it was like such a reminder of how much community meant to us. We are crazy dog people. So it was so great that, like we got to hang out with another dog that bumble got a friend to play with because he wasn't getting to play like he normally would either and it was just like, wow, like we are really appreciative of this community that we've built and like that we're continuing to enjoy during this time.
Speaker 2:And then we just kept talking about like this is so great, like we so enjoy this, and so then we just kept talking about like this is so great, like we so enjoy this. And so then we started questioning, like okay, what are we loving about this so much? Like it's basically this kind of like little mini dog park with this like curated collection of people. We also have really good taste in beer, so there's always really good drinks around but it was just like why are we loving this so much? Then we reflected on okay, well, the dog park is closed. Like we're missing out on that community aspect from the dog park, and like all of our favorite restaurants and breweries are also like takeout only, and it was just this kind of percolating of what are we missing? Why are we liking this so much? And that's kind of when we got into well, what if we built a place that was all about the dogs and all about the people, and it was a place where these relationships could really bloom and this community could really grow? We just kept chirping about it for you know, six months until finally it was like well, we either need to like do something about it or stop talking about this, because we're kind of annoying ourselves at this point.
Speaker 2:Over the course of four years, it was okay, what would this look like? And, um, where would this be? And like what are we trying to achieve through this? And we kind of kept it to ourselves. And then, like, when we put the first like ask out to someone of like what do you think about this? They were like, oh, my god, that sounds incredible. And it's like, okay, that also built a little accountability, because now people are asking like, hey, how's that going? Like, what's the scoop on this? Any, any updates? Um. And so it took us a really long time to find property. Um, finally found property, and, because the universe has a sense of humor, it was an operating ice cream shop, and so we ran an ice cream shop, um, while we were waiting for all of our construction to happen. And so then we started our construction in August of last year, opened in October and now we're just like grooving since then, and there's a lot in the middle there, but that's the highlight.
Speaker 1:So you are so excited for spring.
Speaker 2:I could not be more excited for weather that is 50 plus degrees it's just going to be gorgeous.
Speaker 1:Where is this dog park? I know it's South Franklinton, but where is it exactly?
Speaker 2:So if you know where Greenlawn Cemetery is, we are the first block south of Greenlawn Cemetery and people can buy memberships and all that jazz. Yeah, absolutely, you can have a day pass if you just want to come hang out, and the membership follows the dog.
Speaker 1:Humans are free, dogs pay the cover. Or you can buy a month pass or an annual pass with us if you just want to hang out all the time. So you also do something with the Ohio State University yes, the Kenan Center for Entrepreneurship, which I need to be involved in this Fangirling when? Are these students? I need to, oh my God, get with them. And just, I don't even know what we need to learn from one another.
Speaker 2:Yes, and that has been such a gift for me to be working with students who are trying to build something. Because, again, in starting, I don't know where these students came from. They have a different work ethic than when I was in their shoes when I was 19. Because they're just like, oh, I see this problem in the world and I'm going to solve it, and I was like I was just glad I made it to class on time. You are different than me, but they are so passionate about solving problems, making the world a better place.
Speaker 2:If you ever lose faith in humanity, like, hang out with students who are trying to build something for a little bit and that humanity will probably be restored. But I yeah, I am. I work with lots of different students, lots of different people who are in the building stage of you know, if it's building their own bakery or wanting to start a platform that connects people in some way for some product or service. People who are like making drone companies, and it's just really fun to be in that like creative environment with students. I need to get some of these boogers on my show?
Speaker 1:You do, but your real love is Bumble's backyard. A community is very important to you, yeah, and that's what you're building here, and so let's talk a little bit, because it is a huge differentiator.
Speaker 2:I feel like a normal, normal dog park. It feels very transactional, of like I go, I stand around, I leave. Where Bumble's backyard we really designed it to stay like. We have comfortable seating, we have right now a heated tent with tvs and a board game cabinet and we have this great drink selection and we we really built this as ideal for you and your dog. Um, and we have really attracted dog people who either you know they love their dog or they love being around dogs.
Speaker 2:My favorite is we had these two younger gals show up one day without a dog. I was like, oh, you just head on in and I grabbed on my team and I was like, hey, just, you know, like they don't have a dog, but you know, make sure that they like feel very welcome whatever. And as they were leaving, I was like, oh, you know, have a great day, whatever. Staff comes up to me and they said do you want to know how they learned about us? And I said of course. And they Googled. They woke up that morning and Googled where to pet dogs Columbus, ohio. They just wanted to come be around some dogs and hang out with dogs for the day and I was like, love that energy.
Speaker 2:But I think the biggest compliment that I could possibly get is I was working one day and I was outside in the yard and these two people were talking to each other and they were just having like a great time. And one of them says, I would love to get your number, like we should totally like get dinner sometime, and I was like bingo, we've done it, like that is a relationship that would not have formed without us, like without this community aspect, and that has just been so great to have regulars and for them to know each other, and that has just been so great to have regulars and for them to know each other. And it just feels. It feels like our backyard during COVID of like kind of like cheers, everybody knows your name, everyone's excited to see you, everyone loves your dog and I think in 2025, we are craving community, we are craving being together and getting to know people and having deeper relationships, having a relationship that's not just on the internet, and I think that we're really creating that third space to build that for people.
Speaker 1:What's the best thing about working with your beloved I?
Speaker 2:think it is that we have our own like, we have our own language and like I know exactly what he's going to say before he says it most of the time. He's surprising me sometime and we just know each other and understand each other so well that if we fight, I know it's important to be like okay, this is something that, like, we're going to figure out because we're coming up, I know exactly where we're coming from, um, but I, I just love that I get to work with someone who, like, knows me so deeply and so well. We're going to figure out because we're coming up, I know exactly where we're coming from, but I, I just love that I get to work with someone who, like knows me so deeply and so well and cares about me so much that, like we truly only want what's best for each other, and that is just such a gift.
Speaker 1:What's the most annoying thing about working with your beloved? Oh my God, dig deep, lauren.
Speaker 2:Cause I know I mean about working with your beloved. Oh my god, dig deep, lauren, because I know I mean. Well, there's a lot. I mean, he is a person like.
Speaker 1:He is annoying sometimes, yeah, but I need to meet this angel walking too close to the ground.
Speaker 2:He is an angel really, and he is the mayor of every town he ever goes to, ever. And when we are trying to leave because sometimes we do leave this man has to be like dragged out because he wants to talk to every. He's got just one more thing, just one more thing before we go. Hold on, just give me just another minute. What would you tell?
Speaker 1:a baby entrepreneur who's sitting out there right now and they're like oh, lauren, you're sparking my inspiration. What would you? What would you?
Speaker 2:say, I would say there is quite literally no better time than right now. Um, if you are really passionate about something, start it. Don't wait. There is never going to be a better time. You're never going to have enough time. You're never going to have enough money. You're the timing is never going to be perfect. Just start it. And if you're like well, I, I don't even know how I would start a dog park bar, coffee shop, well, you're in good company. I had quite literally no idea. You will figure it out. You will find the right people, you will read the right book, you will run into the right person eavesdropping on your conversation at the coffee shop and be like hey, this sounds interesting. Can I talk to you about this? Everything will happen how it's supposed to, but you just have to start. Just take one step toward the thing that you're trying to do.
Speaker 1:I mean drop that mic, girl. Drop that mic. Well, this has been just lovely. I've really enjoyed you and I've really enjoyed. I mean, this dog is like the most well-behaved creature on earth.
Speaker 1:My God like the most well-behaved creature. He's exhausted, my god. Well, thank seriously. Thank you so much for taking time. Thank you for having me. This has been so fun. I'm so happy that calendly and the universe connected us. If you're out there listening, this might be your sign to sign up on my calendly. You can get there by going to my bio and instagram, clicking on the link and just setting up a time to talk. We can just figure out what you're doing. Maybe, maybe it'll be a pep talk, maybe it'll lead to something more. Who knows? But I would say, reach out right.
Speaker 2:Yeah, do it. Carrie is not scary. Well, unless you want to be. Do you want to be like scary Carrie?
Speaker 1:No, I do not.
Speaker 2:Carrie is not scary people, she's a delight, and some would even say such a pep talk extraordinaire if you want that kind of energy, hit me up.
Speaker 1:All right, lauren, thank you so much. I will definitely be staying in touch and when that spring weather hits, I'm gonna take mac daddy, that damn dog park, and you're gonna have to just kick me out of you and, evan, I will drag you all out of there that is right and if you're still out there following your girl, follow me on youtube, spotify, apple or wherever you get your podcast.
Speaker 1:And until next time, seriously go to the go to Google machine. Go to Bumble's Backyard, check out what they're doing. It's actually an incredible value add to the community, specifically in Franklinton. Please go support Lauren and Evan. My God, if you're not wanting to meet Evan by now, just go there to meet Evan and keep moving baby.
