New Lesbian Owned Business Opens

by Chuck Franklin

Jamie Eisenberg had a vision. Now that vision is a reality.

Eisenberg is currently operating the Gotta Go! Pet Sitting Services in Chittenden County. Her service provides a “stay at home alternative” in pet care for domestic animals.

“My aim is to give pet owners and their animals security and consistency while the owners are away from home,” says Eisenberg.

What makes Eisenberg’s present business so unique is that she was a chef for the past 21 years. She started out working in restaurants while attending the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, RI.

Her fine arts career made a 180-degree shift to the culinary arts while working at Panache, a lesbian-owned bistro, where she eventually became executive chef.

“After several years, I realized I should get professional training in food service and attended the New England Culinary Institute in Montpelier,” she recalled.

That training eventually led her to a successful nine-year stint as a chef instructor at the Institute, where she taught a variety of curriculums for hundreds of culinary students.

However, the thrill of the culinary world eventually wore off for Eisenberg. “I decided to seek help from a career counselor to find my next ëcalling in life,’” she said. “I never dreamed it would to lead to my owning my own small business as a professional pet sitter.”

Once again she sought out help and started the Women’s Small Business (WSB) Course at Trinity College and graduated with a certificate of completion this past May.

“The WSB course helped me develop a business plan and form the foundation for starting a successful small business,” said Eisenberg. “I quickly discovered that I had a passion not only for pet care, but also for the challenge of marketing and sales.”

Eisenberg says she feels she has now found her “calling,” and is nurturing her pet sitting service while fulfilling her dream of being a successful business woman.