Bringing People Together w/ Brian Taylor

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“The Dogfather of Harlem” Is Uniting The Community With A Shared Love of Dogs

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About The Episode

Originally from Sierra Leone in West Africa, Brian Taylor grew up without having dogs be normalized as pets. When he came to the United States when he was 13 years old, initially in New Jersey, his love for dogs began to grow – including when him and his brother tried to hide an abandoned pit bull in their basement (later, their Mom found out and the dog found a home with their neighbors - who they were still able to visit and spend time with the dog). Later, after college, Brian took a leap of faith and came to New York City. He’s never left since.

Initially working in banking, he was helping people in Harlem with their businesses. One woman Brian met, who was a dog walker and groomer, he started working with and grew to understand that endeavor better. She left after a little bit and he then went to become trained as a dog groomer, which he learned that he both really enjoyed and was skilled at, and then Brian started running the Harlem Doggie Day Spa afterwards.

To date, Brian has taken care of around 10,000 dogs in New York City for almost a decade now in Harlem, The facility is one of the first in the neighborhood to offer a total package of services such as doggy daycare, grooming salon, cage-free boarding, dog food, and whatever else a dog owner may need (plus, with an outdoor space in the back).

In addition, the company has been active in the community – sponsoring block events, youth basketball teams, and helping bring in at-risk kids for internships. And those are only a few of the many examples. Brian is even known as “The Dogfather of Harlem.”

During the coronavirus pandemic, the company lost all of its daycare board and business. Initially, during the lockdown, they closed the store completely to figure things out. Then, Brian started grooming one dog at a time. At the same time, people were paying for the services, they also started giving donations for those who needed free grooming but couldn’t afford it. Brian started raising more and more and giving free grooming from that. As the momentum continued, he came up with the idea for the Pup Pandemic Relief Tour as his way to help give back more – where he’ll be traveling across the country this summer to give grooming to dogs in need. He’s raising money for it, so please make sure to donate if you can!

About The Guest - Brian Taylor

Known as “The Dogfather of Harlem" in New York City, Brian Taylor has been running his dog business – the Harlem Doggie Day Spa – for almost a decade. Initially from West Africa, he came over to America when he was 13 years old and found his way to New York City after college. With his business, he’s been very involved in his neighborhood to help bring people together, make the Harlem dog community stronger, and offer the services that people may need. And while keeping the business going during the pandemic has been tough, he’s been finding his way through it and is now about to embark on The Pup Pandemic Relief Tour across the country to help dogs in need of grooming.

Featured Links

InterviewJack SommerRescue / Service, People Working w/ Dogs, Business