Today we’d like to introduce you to Sylvia Coffey.
Hi Sylvia, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Absolutely! I’m Sylvia Coffey, the owner of Pooler Pet Sitter. My professional background spans nearly 20 years in Human Resources, where I’ve built a career rooted in people, problem-solving, and purpose. I currently work full-time as a Senior HR Manager—but my true passion? Animals!
That passion led me to start Pooler Pet Sitter as a part-time venture, and I’ve loved every minute of it.
The business came to life in such an organic and meaningful way. A close friend was looking for a new dog sitter and, after some prayer and conversations, her sister thought of me. She knew how much I adored my three dogs and how deeply I loved my dachshund who had recently passed. They reached out, and I immediately said yes.
That simple request planted the seed. Before I knew it, I had come up with the name, created the logo, launched social media pages, and officially started Pooler Pet Sitter in August 2023.
I’m incredibly grateful to Erin, Wesley, and Jo for trusting me from the very beginning. Without their faith in me, I’m not sure I would’ve taken the leap. I truly believe God’s timing is always perfect—this opportunity came at exactly the right moment.
I began by advertising in local neighborhood Facebook groups, and little by little, momentum started to build. Friends and neighbors began booking me, spreading the word, and sharing kind testimonials. I consistently posted on social media, built a website, and slowly carved out my place in the community.
By summer 2024, I was fully booked in May, June, and August—if I’m being honest, even a bit overbooked! Once I narrowed my service area, I really found my rhythm. Now, I feel like I’ve hit that sweet spot—maintaining momentum, serving my community, and doing what I love.
I also wouldn’t be where I am without the constant encouragement and support of my caring husband, Ben. He helps manage our own three-dog pack while I’m out doing drop-in visits, and he occasionally tags along just to spend time with me. He enjoys seeing me in my element and watching my vision come to life—having him cheer me on means the world to me.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Having a passion for animals, people, and business gave me a strong foundation when launching my part-time pet sitting business. But like any new venture, there were challenges along the way. In the beginning, I cast a wide net—servicing all of Pooler and parts of Rincon. While it seemed like a smart move at the time, I quickly realized that covering such a large area wasn’t sustainable. There were weekends where I was driving all over the place, and it became difficult to maintain a healthy balance between work and personal life. That experience taught me the importance of setting boundaries—not just for myself, but for the quality of care I aim to provide. Since then, I’ve narrowed my service area to focus on the Savannah Highlands subdivisions. It’s made my schedule more manageable and allowed me to give each pet the time, energy, and love they deserve.
A more recent struggle has been refining my social media presence. While I’ve been consistent with posting, I felt that my content lacked the variety and depth I envisioned. To address this, I reached out to a friend who specializes in branding and web design. She’s now helping me elevate my online presence with content that’s more educational, engaging, and intentional. I’m really excited about this mini project and what’s to come—it’s another step forward in creating a brand and community that reflects the heart of my business.
As you know, we’re big fans of Pooler Pet Sitter. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
At Pooler Pet Sitter, I specialize in drop-in pet sitting visits in the comfort of the pet’s own home—specifically serving the Savannah Highlands neighborhoods and subdivisions. Each visit is tailored to meet the individual needs of the pet and includes fresh food and water, potty breaks and clean-up, playtime, snuggle time, and any accident clean-up. I also provide text updates with photos, so pet parents can feel connected and reassured while they’re away.
Before a new client books, I offer a complimentary in-home meet-and-greet. This gives me a chance to meet the pet parents and their fur babies, learn about their routine, and take detailed notes about everything from food and water locations to potty areas and favorite toys. My goal is to make every visit as stress-free and comforting as possible—for both the pets and their humans.
As a dog mom to three wonderful pups of my own, I truly understand how important it is to leave your pets in caring, capable hands. I treat each pet like they’re part of my own family—following their usual routines, offering love and attention, and doing my best to be the “fun aunt” while their parents are away.
What sets my service apart is the level of care and attention to detail I provide. Beyond pet care, I’m known for being dependable, trustworthy, and highly organized. My clients appreciate the little extras—like bringing in mail, taking out the trash, cleaning food and water bowls, running the Roomba, or watering plants. I want my clients to return home to happy pets and a home that feels just as they left it.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of the trust I’ve built with my clients. It means the world to me when someone says, “I can finally relax knowing you’re with our pets.” That’s the heart of my business—and the standard I strive to uphold every single day.
Any big plans?
Honestly, I plan to keep doing what I love. I’ve found that sweet spot where I’m fortunate to maintain a steady base of amazing clients while still welcoming new ones as they come. Offering my services on a part-time basis has been a win-win for both me and my clients—it allows me to give each pet the attention they deserve while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Eventually, I would love to transition into pet sitting full-time. That’s potentially on the horizon in a few years, but for now, I’m truly happy with where I am and how my business is growing organically. I will know when the time is right to transition to full-time pet sitting.
One exciting development is that I’ve recently partnered with a friend who specializes in brand and web design. She’s helping me elevate my social media presence with a more polished, cohesive look—content that’s not only cute and fun but also more educational and engaging. The goal is to create a stronger sense of community and build a space where local pet parents feel connected, supported, and informed. I’m really looking forward to where that journey takes me next, especially since I will be celebrating 2 years in business next month.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sylviamarie15.wixsite.com/pooler-pet-sitter
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/Pooler.Pet.Sitter
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pooler.pet.sitter
Image Credits
Brooke Collins
