We had the good fortune of connecting with Stephanie Castro and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stephanie, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
To help as many pets from being stressed out while their parents travel while being at home in their space stress-free.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Stay Home Pet Sitting is more than just a premium pet care service—it’s about creating peace of mind for pet parents while treating every pet like part of our own family. What sets us apart is our attention to detail and personalized approach, from specialty meds to pet massages, ensuring each pet feels loved and cared for.

But my passion doesn’t stop at pets—I also love creating content for local small businesses. Whether it’s crafting engaging social media posts or building reels that highlight their unique experiences, I’m all about supporting other entrepreneurs in their journey and helping their brands shine. This passion has even influenced how I market my own business, helping me connect with clients and showcase the exceptional care we provide.

Getting here wasn’t easy. Building a business while balancing creativity and quality service came with plenty of challenges, especially figuring out how to scale without losing the personal touch. I overcame these hurdles through persistence, a lot of learning, and the support of mentors, friends, and family.

The biggest lessons I’ve learned? Always stay true to your values, invest in great people, and listen to the community around you.

I want the world to know that Stay Home Pet Sitting isn’t just about caring for pets—it’s about building relationships, creating trust, and supporting the local community in every way I can.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend came to visit, here’s how I’d plan the week:

Day 1:
We’d start with breakfast at Tiny Boxwoods, then enjoy a peaceful nature walk at the Houston Arboretum. For dinner, we’d indulge in an incredible meal at Massafer, and if there’s an event, we’d stay for drinks and dancing to keep the fun going!

Day 2:
Brunch at Toulouse, then explore the River Oaks District and watch a movie at iPic. Dinner at Lombardi, followed by dancing at Segreto.

Day 3:
A day trip to Galveston for beach time and seafood at Gaido’s, then stop by the Kemah Boardwalk for some fun.

Day 4:
Breakfast at Blacksmith, shopping at Rice Village or The Galleria, and steak dinner at Mastro’s. End the night with live music at The Continental Club.

Day 5:
Explore Chinatown for seafood and bubble tea, then head to Songkran Thai Kitchen for dinner and some delicious Thai food.

Day 6:
Start the day with some pickleball at a local court, then head to the rooftop at Post HTX. Later, we’d hit up a local salsa dancing spot to let loose and have some fun!

Day 7:
Breakfast at Common Bond, then wrap up the week with dinner at Truth BBQ for some real Texas food.

It’s the perfect mix of food, fun, and local culture!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I just want to give a huge shoutout to my amazing clients and their adorable pets. They’re the heart of Stay Home Pet Sitting! Their trust and the joy their pets bring me and the team means so much. A big thank you to my awesome team for always going above and beyond and to my friends, family, and business mentors for all the support and guidance along the way. I couldn’t do this without them!

Website: https://www.stayhomepetsitting.com

Instagram: @houstonspetguru

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thepetguru/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scastro9

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/stay-home-pet-sitting-houston-4

Other: @stayhomepetsitting (business acct)

Image Credits
Two images are taken by 10.29 Photography (IG: @10.29photography)

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutHTX is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.