South Brunswick Biz Owner Works To Overcome Pandemic Challenges

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ – Kyle Morse loves pets. To show his love for them, he started Simply Yours Concierge, a dog walking and pet sitting business.

The business began right out of South Brunswick. "I started the business in 2015. And what prompted me was just a love for animal - love for dogs and cats. And also, a love for entrepreneurship,” said Morse.

Morse graduated from South Brunswick High School in 2010. “I then went to Rutgers, New Brunswick and graduated from there in 2014. After that I tried a few different things, and eventually landed on dog walking and pet sitting, and became an entrepreneur,” he said.

Today, his business is spread across four counties – Middlesex, Mercer, Monmouth and Somerset.

"When I first started, it was just me. I was covering all the dog walks and the pet sitting. And now we have about 20 to 25 staff members,” he said.

So, while his staff covers walks and sittings, Morse is left with more time communicating with clients and marketing his business. "It gives me more time to make sure they (employees) are doing their jobs correctly,” he said.

And it’s the community that Morse credits for his success. “It takes time to make an impact with the community. Over the last five years, we've seen a very positive response from people in the South Brunswick area, in particular, where I grew up,” he said.

As someone who is hearing impaired, Morse has never let a challenge hold him back. “I love creating something out of nothing. Making my own path to the world," he said. "It stems from my disability and finding a way through everything.”

The business, he says, allows him the flexibility to communicate with people the way he wants. “This business is awesome because it allows me to communicate with people the way that I can - which would be a text or email. And I can also go out and meet with clients face-to-face.”

Having recently celebrated five years of Simply Yours Concierge, Morse is currently facing an uphill task getting his business back on its feet after the pandemic shutdown.

“Before the pandemic, we were doing 225 to 275 walks and sittings per week. When COVID hit, our numbers went down to 20-30 a week. That’s because people are home now and don’t need walkers or sitters,” he said.

From April to June, Morse’s business was shut. They reopened first week of July.

The most difficult part, he says, is when his employees lost work. “I just want everyone to be aware of our services so they can hire us again, and help our staff with some work,” he said.

Hailing from a family of entrepreneurs, Morse believes in pushing forward despite the challenges.

"I've gotten a lot of inspiration from family members. In particular from my grandfather who owned a travel agency for 50 years in Highland Park. I got a lot of entrepreneurship intuition from him,” he said.

His business offers services including pet sitting of dogs and cats, dog walking and exercising, boarding pet sitting, overnight stays, plant watering, mail collection, holiday or vacation care, house sitting services, and special care for young, elderly, and sick animals.

“We are open every day, including weekends and holidays. If you need help with your pets during Christmas or New Year’s Eve, we’re here,” he said.

Daily rates start at $20 and Simply Yours Concierge is fully insured and bonded for all services provided. Simply Yours Concierge is also a member of the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters, Inc, along with Pet Sitters' International.

For additional information call or text 732-407-7232 or visit www.simplyyoursconcierge.com.

Additional reporting: Alexis Tarrazi.

Thank you for reading. Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com

Get breaking news alerts on your phone with our app. Download here. Sign up to get Patch emails so you don't miss out on local and statewide news.