Six years ago I launched Rover-Time’s first website. It helped me find four dog walking customers that I serviced while juggling my “bridge job”. By March, that same year, I finally gave notice and became my own boss.

So, the first quarter of every year, has always been a time of celebration for me so this list of 2017’s most brilliant moments and our supply drive will be how I mark our 6th birthday. Enjoy.

2017 HIGHLIGHTS

1. At the top of the year, our Leadership Team welcomed Katie Sullivan aboard as our newest Team Manager after Becky Trombley was promoted to Rover-Time’s Operations Director. Both women have been incredibly successful in their new roles.
2. We updated our client portal, improving our customer’s user experience by leaps and bounds.
3. Rover-Time sponsored the design and development of CRISP’s first website so the organization could reach people and potential donors with ease.
4. We restructured the business and transitioned our entire team from Independent Contractors to Employees to create a stronger and better workplace.
5. We created two new routes in Budlong Woods and Horner Park, expanding our service area. This created two more jobs in our community.
6. We added a new role to our leadership team and welcomed Lauren Burke as our first Scheduling Coordinator. She’s doing an amazing job!
7. Becky raised $1596 and Julia raised $1160 for our favorite rescue partner, One Tail at a Time.
8. We hosted our first Photos with Santa event and will have to make this an annual thing.
9. We’ve had great team interactions this year — some great team meetings, a fun happy hour, and summer picnic and the holiday party was a success!
10. And at the very end of 2017, Julia was invited to represent her company and will take part in Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program with their 20th Cohort in Chicago.

Before closing, my former mentor Jamie Migdal, shared this beautiful prayer on New Years Eve that I think everyone should read to find their own inspiration.

“She let go.
Without a thought or a word, she let go.
She let go of the fear.
She let go of the judgments.
She let go of the confluence of opinions swarming around her head.
She let go of the committee of indecision within her.
She let go of all the ‘right’ reasons. Wholly and completely, without hesitation or worry, she just let go.
She didn’t ask anyone for advice.
She didn’t read a book on how to let go.
She didn’t search the scriptures.
She just let go.
She let go of all of the memories that held her back.
She let go of all of the anxiety that kept her from moving forward.
She let go of the planning and all of the calculations about how to do it just right.
She didn’t promise to let go.
She didn’t journal about it.
She didn’t write the projected date in her Day-Timer.
She made no public announcement and put no ad in the paper.
She didn’t check the weather report or read her daily horoscope.
She just let go.
She didn’t analyze whether she should let go.
She didn’t call her friends to discuss the matter. She didn’t do a five-step Spiritual Mind Treatment. She didn’t call the prayer line.
She didn’t utter one word.
She just let go.
No one was around when it happened.
There was no applause or congratulations.
No one thanked her or praised her.
No one noticed a thing.
Like a leaf falling from a tree, she just let go.
There was no effort.
There was no struggle.
It wasn’t good and it wasn’t bad. It was what it was, and it is just that.
In the space of letting go, she let it all be.
A small smile came over her face.
A light breeze blew through her.
And the sun and the moon shone forevermore.”
—Rev Safire Rose

I’m anticipating our best year yet as we push through the first month of 2018. I’m full of gratitude, big goals, and warmth in my heart for everyone that has supported us.

Thanks, and Happy New Year. We’re truly so grateful for you.

Julia Rohan founded Rover-Time in January of 2012 and received her formal training at FetchFind Academy, a program for aspiring dog trainers, based in Chicago. Julia lives in Irving Park with her husband Mark. Together they co-parent Archer, their 2-year old son, and Chauncey Billups Vanderhoff, an over-confident, territorial, and anxious 8lb. Chihuahua-Terrier mix. Both boys melt her heart hourly.