Toni Reece: Hi there. This is Toni Reece, and welcome to the Get Inspired! Project for Berks County Living magazine. Today I have Barbara Smith with me. Good morning.
Barbara Smith: Good morning. How are you?
Toni: I’m great. How are you on this rainy day?
Barbara: Okay.
Toni: It sure is rainy and a little damp today, isn’t it?
Barbara: It sure is.
Toni: So Barbara, take a moment and tell us a little bit about yourself.
Barbara: Sure. My name is Barbara Smith. I’m originally from New Jersey, where I grew up. I went to school there, earned my undergraduate degree at Montclair State College. I also earned my MBA in Finance from Farleigh Dickinson University. I started my corporate career there, advancing through various financial services positions at Fortune 500 companies and other smaller companies, relocating to New York City, Pittsburgh, Ohio, and then ultimately to Berks County in 2008.
I’ve been here since that time, but have left the corporate world. My husband and I purchased a business, which was a boarding kennel, and we named it Buddy’s Pet Resort. It is a pet services company, which has cat and dog boarding. We have a mobile grooming van. We also do pet walking and sitting, and doggy day care. We will have behavior training starting in the spring. We also have a second location in Ephrata, but our main location is in Birdsboro, Pennsylvania.
I am also President of Buddy Rescue Foundation, which is a special needs animal rescue group based in Berks County, but we also service other counties surrounding Berks County.
Toni: Wow, there’s a lot going on there, Barbara!
Barbara: There certainly is. Keeps me busy, for sure.
Toni: I would imagine it does. Let’s get into the Project. What does inspiration mean to you?
Barbara: Inspiration to me is a spark that motivates you to make a difference. It inspires you to open doors and see all possibilities. For me, I’m inspired by many things throughout the day. For the most part, I am somewhat of a visual as well as literal person, so I can be inspired by a poignant picture that captures a moment and inspires me. It’s usually related to animals or the rescue side. I’m also inspired by sayings and quotes that I hear or read. There are two that in particular have inspired me.
The first is a quote that says, “Until one loves an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” For me, when I first heard that it inspired me because it kind of stirred up the feelings I have to help animals in need.
The other is by Mark Twain, which is, “Find a job you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.”
I always go back to those quotes. When sometimes things seem a little daunting, I go back to those and say, “I can do it. I am inspired, and I can move forward to do what I need to do.”
Toni: What a great answer.
Barbara: Thank you.
Toni: How do you put all of that and stay inspired with the work that you do? How do you put all of that inspiration into practice here in Berks County?
Barbara: In Berks County, as I mentioned, we have Buddy’s Pet Resort, which my husband, Kevin Gibson, and I founded. We started with a vision that we wanted it to be a place that we would board our animals if we were on vacation. The concept is that the animals are safe and happy, and owners are assured that their animals are safe and happy when they’re with us.
The inspiration comes from seeing the animals and seeing how happy they are, and also getting feedback from clients that say, “My dog seems much calmer and happier when he comes home after he’s been with you.” That inspires us to keep going on and keep doing what we’re doing.
We even have a couple cases where an owner came to pick up their dog and the dog, instead of running to the owner, ran back to our staff. That tells us they’re happy, too. The feedback from obviously satisfied customers is very inspiring, and they also refer all their friends and family. That inspires us. We know that no one would recommend us or refer us if they didn’t feel happy about what we were doing.
In the rescue side for Buddy Rescue, it can be daunting at times. There are so many animals in need. Inspiration comes from many different things. I’m always inspired by people that help us do what we want to do. Our mission is to make a difference and rescue one animal at a time. So many people have supported us and volunteered with us, and that’s inspirational for me, because we started this as a mission, and having so many people join in with us is very inspiring.
Toni: When was the last time you felt really inspired?
Barbara: I would say that some of the inspiration, particularly on the rescue side, comes from the animals themselves that we rescue. We have had some unbelievably difficult cases. Being special needs, a lot of these animals need medical attention. I am inspired by the animals that are very close to death or very ill. We take them out. We get them help, and they make a miraculous recovery. They move forward, and they find their forever families.
That is very inspirational to me to see them obviously come back. But then, taking that concept to people, I am inspired by people who are very passionate about what they do. Either you see people in public life or you see people who you meet in town, and you can see they love what they do. They have a passion about what they do, and that’s very inspiring to me. I can remember various people that I have run into at the Pet Resort where just getting to know them, they’re talking about what they do, and that’s very inspiring to me. I would say that there’s no singular time.
Toni: It’s a constant, isn't it? It’s a constant flow.
Barbara: Yes, it’s really a constant, and that’s what really keeps you going. I look for that inspiration all the time.
Toni: That’s a great lead-in to the next question, which is, who in Berks County inspires you?
Barbara: First off I’d just like to say, even though my mom is not in Berks County, she’s been very inspirational all my life, particularly with my career. She always wanted me to have the opportunities as her daughter to advance and achieve the things I wanted to do, but then also be happy. I have to say she’s been my best friend and very supportive.
Back to Berks County, I would say my husband. He and I have been together for a long time, and we both had jobs in the corporate world. We had the same kind of lives, and still do, where you’re rushing around doing things and there’s never enough time to get things done. Through this process of my leaving work and then also buying this business, he is still working full-time, yet he has the drive and determination to make this successful.
He is someone that sees endless possibilities for something, so that really drives me. That kind of support is key when you’re trying to do something like this when you’re running a small business or you’re running a rescue or what have you. Having a partner in that is critical. I’d say that certainly my husband is inspiring to me.
I would say also the people here in Berks County. As I alluded to before, we have met so many people since we’ve been here. We’re happy here. We’re happy to settle here. We have a great property where we live which is like bucolic setting with a big red barn. We have horses, goats and llamas grazing. We’re happy here. I think we’re happiest about the people we’ve met and have supported us in the rescue venture, and now also in the Pet Resort.
That is very inspiring to me, because when you’re talking about volunteering or you’re talking about people going out of their way to compliment you or give you feedback, that’s important, because you’re so busy and yet you take the time to help me with an event or foster a dog for me. Also, the people that adopt our dogs, they are very inspiring because they’re taking a chance. They’re taking an animal that they don’t know into their homes. It’s so rewarding when I get the feedback that the animal is doing well, and then also that they are happy about that.
Toni: Oh my gosh. It’s really refreshing to hear someone who’s not originally from Berks County but has created this life in Berks County, and that the people that you have interacted with have been inspiring to you.
Barbara: Absolutely.
Toni: That’s a wonderful thing for Berks Countians to hear.
Barbara: Sure. Absolutely. Just by way of background, which makes it even more notable is that my husband was born in Jersey City, so he’s a city guy. I was born in the suburbs of Bergen County in New Jersey. We were used to a lot of people and crowds. We were near New York City. We had that kind of life. We actually enjoyed when we came to Berks County, because I had gotten a job transfer here, and we loved the open space. We loved all of the things that were available that fit more with our passions. Things like working with animals and going places where it wasn’t worrying about where you’re going to park, or all the traffic, or things like that. We’ve been very happy here in Berks County, and we thank everyone who has welcomed us that are from Berks County.
Toni: That’s fantastic! So, Barbara, what do you want your legacy to be?
Barbara: I guess from my standpoint, I would just like to be remembered as someone that did inspire people to make a difference, whether it be in a business, whether it be through rescuing – I think that’s so important that your 15 minutes of fame, so to speak, are around how people feel about you and the things that you did, and how you impacted them.
I look back at the simple things and the things that drive me and make me happy. There’s just nothing like getting an email from someone who adopted one of our rescue dogs and they tell me, “It’s been a couple of years, they’re doing really well. Here’s their picture.” I see how good they look. Then, they always say, “Thank you for rescuing my dog, because I cannot imagine my life without him.”
That’s where it’s at for me, honestly. When I hear that and read that, I say, “You know what, I really didn’t make a difference for that animal, but I made a difference for that person because they are happy with the thing that I did,” which was rescue that animal and find them so that they could spend their life with them.
Toni: Thank you so much for doing what you do, and thank you for the shout out to Berks County, and also for showing up for the Get Inspired! Project.
Barbara: Great. Thank you so much.
Toni Reece: Hi there. This is Toni Reece, and welcome to the Get Inspired! Project for Berks County Living magazine. Today I have Barbara Smith with me. Good morning.
Barbara Smith: Good morning. How are you?
Toni: I’m great. How are you on this rainy day?
Barbara: Okay.
Toni: It sure is rainy and a little damp today, isn’t it?
Barbara: It sure is.
Toni: So Barbara, take a moment and tell us a little bit about yourself.
Barbara: Sure. My name is Barbara Smith. I’m originally from New Jersey, where I grew up. I went to school there, earned my undergraduate degree at Montclair State College. I also earned my MBA in Finance from Farleigh Dickinson University. I started my corporate career there, advancing through various financial services positions at Fortune 500 companies and other smaller companies, relocating to New York City, Pittsburgh, Ohio, and then ultimately to Berks County in 2008.
I’ve been here since that time, but have left the corporate world. My husband and I purchased a business, which was a boarding kennel, and we named it Buddy’s Pet Resort. It is a pet services company, which has cat and dog boarding. We have a mobile grooming van. We also do pet walking and sitting, and doggy day care. We will have behavior training starting in the spring. We also have a second location in Ephrata, but our main location is in Birdsboro, Pennsylvania.
I am also President of Buddy Rescue Foundation, which is a special needs animal rescue group based in Berks County, but we also service other counties surrounding Berks County.
Toni: Wow, there’s a lot going on there, Barbara!
Barbara: There certainly is. Keeps me busy, for sure.
Toni: I would imagine it does. Let’s get into the Project. What does inspiration mean to you?
Barbara: Inspiration to me is a spark that motivates you to make a difference. It inspires you to open doors and see all possibilities. For me, I’m inspired by many things throughout the day. For the most part, I am somewhat of a visual as well as literal person, so I can be inspired by a poignant picture that captures a moment and inspires me. It’s usually related to animals or the rescue side. I’m also inspired by sayings and quotes that I hear or read. There are two that in particular have inspired me.
The first is a quote that says, “Until one loves an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” For me, when I first heard that it inspired me because it kind of stirred up the feelings I have to help animals in need.
The other is by Mark Twain, which is, “Find a job you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.”
I always go back to those quotes. When sometimes things seem a little daunting, I go back to those and say, “I can do it. I am inspired, and I can move forward to do what I need to do.”
Toni: What a great answer.
Barbara: Thank you.
Toni: How do you put all of that and stay inspired with the work that you do? How do you put all of that inspiration into practice here in Berks County?
Barbara: In Berks County, as I mentioned, we have Buddy’s Pet Resort, which my husband, Kevin Gibson, and I founded. We started with a vision that we wanted it to be a place that we would board our animals if we were on vacation. The concept is that the animals are safe and happy, and owners are assured that their animals are safe and happy when they’re with us.
The inspiration comes from seeing the animals and seeing how happy they are, and also getting feedback from clients that say, “My dog seems much calmer and happier when he comes home after he’s been with you.” That inspires us to keep going on and keep doing what we’re doing.
We even have a couple cases where an owner came to pick up their dog and the dog, instead of running to the owner, ran back to our staff. That tells us they’re happy, too. The feedback from obviously satisfied customers is very inspiring, and they also refer all their friends and family. That inspires us. We know that no one would recommend us or refer us if they didn’t feel happy about what we were doing.
In the rescue side for Buddy Rescue, it can be daunting at times. There are so many animals in need. Inspiration comes from many different things. I’m always inspired by people that help us do what we want to do. Our mission is to make a difference and rescue one animal at a time. So many people have supported us and volunteered with us, and that’s inspirational for me, because we started this as a mission, and having so many people join in with us is very inspiring.
Toni: When was the last time you felt really inspired?
Barbara: I would say that some of the inspiration, particularly on the rescue side, comes from the animals themselves that we rescue. We have had some unbelievably difficult cases. Being special needs, a lot of these animals need medical attention. I am inspired by the animals that are very close to death or very ill. We take them out. We get them help, and they make a miraculous recovery. They move forward, and they find their forever families.
That is very inspirational to me to see them obviously come back. But then, taking that concept to people, I am inspired by people who are very passionate about what they do. Either you see people in public life or you see people who you meet in town, and you can see they love what they do. They have a passion about what they do, and that’s very inspiring to me. I can remember various people that I have run into at the Pet Resort where just getting to know them, they’re talking about what they do, and that’s very inspiring to me. I would say that there’s no singular time.
Toni: It’s a constant, isn't it? It’s a constant flow.
Barbara: Yes, it’s really a constant, and that’s what really keeps you going. I look for that inspiration all the time.
Toni: That’s a great lead-in to the next question, which is, who in Berks County inspires you?
Barbara: First off I’d just like to say, even though my mom is not in Berks County, she’s been very inspirational all my life, particularly with my career. She always wanted me to have the opportunities as her daughter to advance and achieve the things I wanted to do, but then also be happy. I have to say she’s been my best friend and very supportive.
Back to Berks County, I would say my husband. He and I have been together for a long time, and we both had jobs in the corporate world. We had the same kind of lives, and still do, where you’re rushing around doing things and there’s never enough time to get things done. Through this process of my leaving work and then also buying this business, he is still working full-time, yet he has the drive and determination to make this successful.
He is someone that sees endless possibilities for something, so that really drives me. That kind of support is key when you’re trying to do something like this when you’re running a small business or you’re running a rescue or what have you. Having a partner in that is critical. I’d say that certainly my husband is inspiring to me.
I would say also the people here in Berks County. As I alluded to before, we have met so many people since we’ve been here. We’re happy here. We’re happy to settle here. We have a great property where we live which is like bucolic setting with a big red barn. We have horses, goats and llamas grazing. We’re happy here. I think we’re happiest about the people we’ve met and have supported us in the rescue venture, and now also in the Pet Resort.
That is very inspiring to me, because when you’re talking about volunteering or you’re talking about people going out of their way to compliment you or give you feedback, that’s important, because you’re so busy and yet you take the time to help me with an event or foster a dog for me. Also, the people that adopt our dogs, they are very inspiring because they’re taking a chance. They’re taking an animal that they don’t know into their homes. It’s so rewarding when I get the feedback that the animal is doing well, and then also that they are happy about that.
Toni: Oh my gosh. It’s really refreshing to hear someone who’s not originally from Berks County but has created this life in Berks County, and that the people that you have interacted with have been inspiring to you.
Barbara: Absolutely.
Toni: That’s a wonderful thing for Berks Countians to hear.
Barbara: Sure. Absolutely. Just by way of background, which makes it even more notable is that my husband was born in Jersey City, so he’s a city guy. I was born in the suburbs of Bergen County in New Jersey. We were used to a lot of people and crowds. We were near New York City. We had that kind of life. We actually enjoyed when we came to Berks County, because I had gotten a job transfer here, and we loved the open space. We loved all of the things that were available that fit more with our passions. Things like working with animals and going places where it wasn’t worrying about where you’re going to park, or all the traffic, or things like that. We’ve been very happy here in Berks County, and we thank everyone who has welcomed us that are from Berks County.
Toni: That’s fantastic! So, Barbara, what do you want your legacy to be?
Barbara: I guess from my standpoint, I would just like to be remembered as someone that did inspire people to make a difference, whether it be in a business, whether it be through rescuing – I think that’s so important that your 15 minutes of fame, so to speak, are around how people feel about you and the things that you did, and how you impacted them.
I look back at the simple things and the things that drive me and make me happy. There’s just nothing like getting an email from someone who adopted one of our rescue dogs and they tell me, “It’s been a couple of years, they’re doing really well. Here’s their picture.” I see how good they look. Then, they always say, “Thank you for rescuing my dog, because I cannot imagine my life without him.”
That’s where it’s at for me, honestly. When I hear that and read that, I say, “You know what, I really didn’t make a difference for that animal, but I made a difference for that person because they are happy with the thing that I did,” which was rescue that animal and find them so that they could spend their life with them.
Toni: Thank you so much for doing what you do, and thank you for the shout out to Berks County, and also for showing up for the Get Inspired! Project.
Barbara: Great. Thank you so much.
