AN ENTREPRENEUR has shared how she started a business which earns her £200,000 a year after being made redundant.
The 53-year-old ditched the traditional 9-5 and became a “cat butler” after losing her successful job in the wake of the financial crash.
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Sandra James, from Hertfordshire, was shocked when she was made redundant from her position as a financial services industry manager in 2011.
But instead of letting it get her down, the new-found businesswoman took a leap of faith and set up her own cat care service – and now she’s in the top 1% of earners.
“When I lost my job I was earning around £50,000, having worked in financial services for 22 years since I was 18,” Sandra said.
“Being made redundant was initially a shock and I found it challenging as it’s a significant life change, but it was also a pivotal moment for me.”
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Sandra decided to use the opportunity to turn her lifelong passion for animals into a career.
She said: “It presented an opportunity for reflection and pursuing my passion for working with animals, which had been on my mind for a long time.”
From suits to waistcoats
Sandra launched The Cat Butler – an exclusive cat-sitting service – near her home in Hertfordshire in 2015.
She thought up the idea for the business as she hadn’t been on holiday for five years because of her then-cat Ziggy – a “gorgeous Birman” who was her world.
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“Like many cats, Ziggy thrived on routine – he was the ultimate creature of habit and would have hated going to the cattery,” Sandra explained.
“I knew he would be traumatised if I took him away from the familiar sights and smells of his own home.”
Sandra realised she probably wasn’t the only pet owner who worried about their cats when they were away and it sparked an idea.
“What if I knew there was a cat care professional who could pop into a customer’s home and look after their cat when they were on holiday?” she said.
“Imagine – somebody who was insured, who had been DBS checked, who was trained to give medication.
“Somebody who wouldn’t just go in, feed the cat, and leave, but somebody who would take the time to get to know them and deliver them with the care and attention they deserve.
“And wouldn’t it be great, I thought, if that person could look after the customer’s home as well? For example bringing in the post, taking out the bins, closing the blinds.”
This is what a “cat butler” does.
Taking a chance
Sandra explained that launching her own business did come with its own initial risks.
She had to invest £3,000 of her own money up front with no idea whether the business would work out.
She said: “Every new venture comes with its risks, but I believed wholeheartedly in the concept and the need for this kind of service across the UK.”
Sandra started finding clients through word of mouth before sharing her business on social media platforms – and she has now amassed 600,000 followers.
Things went so well that she decided to expand her business and create a franchise supplying cat butlers across the country.
With her earnings, she invested a further £80,000 to turn her business into the only UK franchise that specialises in cat care.
She even reached out to vet networks to find the best Cat Butlers to join her growing team.
Things were going really well – until the Covid-19 pandemic hit.
“We spent thousands of pounds making sure that everything would work perfectly for franchisees – and then in 2020 we went into lockdown.”
“It was really painful watching my business completely dry up (as no one was travelling) and, at the same time, preparing to launch as a franchiser.
“After months of no business and income and then the uncertainty of in and out of lockdowns, I often asked myself what on earth I was doing.”
“I wasn’t sure whether I’d even have a business left once we came out of the pandemic.
“It was so scary and uncertain that I considered chucking in the towel a few times, but I had committed so much to the franchise route that I had to take a chance and keep going.”
Raining Cats and dogs
After hard work and turmoil, Sandra re-launched The Cat Butler as a franchise business at the end of March 2021 – and now it’s thriving.
The business has brought in more than £600,000, with Sandra earning around £200,000 a year including franchise royalties.
It now operates 12 locations around the UK, with more sites in the pipeline to open this year.
And it now employs former teachers, sales experts and even a bus driver who left their old jobs in the hopes of finding a better work-life balance with the franchise.
The business also gained international interest and Sandra says the brand is looking to expand further in the next couple of months.
Sandra said: “We have never looked back and have gone from strength to strength.
“The best part is seeing the positive impact our service has on the cats we care for and their owners.
“Knowing they have peace of mind and they can rely on us to provide loving, professional care in their absence is incredibly fulfilling.
“One thing people might not realise about the pet industry is its resilience – even through tough times, people prioritise the care of their pets.”
Sandra’s advice for starting a business later on in life
Looking back, Sandra now believes her redundancy was a sign she should follow her passion and do something different.
Running The Cat Butler offers far more flexibility and personal satisfaction than my previous 9-5 job.,” she said.
“It’s more demanding in some ways, but the joy and fulfilment from doing what I love make it incomparably rewarding.”
Her advice for anyone looking to start their own business in later life is to ensure it’s focused on something they’re truly passionate about.
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“It’s never too late to follow your dreams, but success requires dedication, resilience, and a willingness to adapt.”
“Your life experiences can be your greatest asset in the entrepreneurial journey.”
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