Newsweek Exclusive Feature
Francesca Albo quit her "miserable" corporate job in 2021 to work with puppies. Her startup is now a multinational brand.
A 27-year-old woman is trying to spearhead a mental health revolution in the corporate world, using one simple tool: puppies.
Francesca Albo, who is based in Toronto, is the CEO and co-founder of Puppysphere, a fast-growing startup that provides a range of puppy therapy experiences—including office happy hours and puppy yoga. Her journey from a corporate biotech job to entrepreneur has awarded her significant attention online, with one video of her walking a cart of puppies into an office being viewed over 5.5 million times.
"When I worked for a biotech company at the University of Toronto, I was glued to my desk for 8 hours a day which made me miserable," Albo, who spent four years in the role, told Newsweek. "So, I spent my mornings and evenings working on building a startup that would allow me to quit my job and become my own boss."
As a dog lover and owner, Albo had always wanted to prioritize quality time with her puppy, who she says "exudes love and happiness."
But being bogged down by the demands of her 9-5 made it difficult for Albo to get as much time with her new pet as she would have liked. She soon began to realize that many other dog lovers feel the same way, and decided to team up with Lea Burbidge Izquierdo to bring Puppysphere to life.
The benefits of working with dogs close by are countless, ranging from reduced stress levels to a boost in motivation. The entrepreneur says that she started her business, Puppysphere, to bring the mood-boosting effects of puppy therapy to more people—especially those stuck in the office.
Albo's startup, which she initially built by sending out hundreds of cold emails to corporate clients, has now grown into a multinational brand with more than 200 staff and offices across the U.S. and Canada. Puppysphere's services range from puppy pilates classes to "puppy yoga and bubbly," where guests participate in a mindful yoga class surrounded by a litter of puppies, followed by bottomless mimosas.
The company has attracted a wide variety of clients, particularly Gen X and Millennial senior management professionals, who are eager to integrate Albo's puppy events into their employee wellness programs. In part thanks to their enthusiasm, Puppysphere's impact on workplace culture has been significant.
"Puppy therapy has been shown to increase levels of oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine—a recipe for happiness," Albo said.
The entrepreneur says that Puppysphere now receives over 100 requests a week for private events, often championed by corporate leaders looking for innovative ways to improve employee morale and mental health.
The concept of animal therapy in the workplace isn't new, but Albo has turned it into a sturdy business model, which combines both wellness with a twist that speaks to a social media savvy audience.
The 27-year-old makes social media work in her favor and has amassed a sizable following across TikTok and Instagram, no doubt fueled by viewers after glimpses at Albo's coworkers: the puppies.
"I'm overwhelmed and deeply touched by the heartwarming response to the video," Albo said, in response to her August 12 post under @francescamarfisia that gained over 5 million views.
"Viral videos like this truly changed my life and allowed me not only to quit my job but also to build a massive startup that is positively impacting so many lives."
The company remains committed to making puppy therapy accessible while ensuring ethical practices are in place that benefit the humans and animals involved. Albo says that while her viral success may be all well and good, her company's mission goes beyond just social media fame.
"More people need puppy love—be it through an online video, a corporate event, or coming to a puppy yoga class," she said. "It is a mental health boost that I recommend to everyone."
Puppysphere's next phase is global, with Albo and her team focused on expanding their services. They are already serving thousands of clients across North America and do not plan to slow down anytime soon.
"It is incredible to come home to a pup every day and get that boost of endorphins, yet, not everyone gets the opportunity to do so, with life constraints like living situations and job pressure," she said. "But our goal is to continue expanding and bring Puppysphere to every major city across the globe."
THANK YOU FOR READING
READ THE FULL STORY HERE: https://www.newsweek.com/gen-z-woman-quits-corporate-job-now-takes-puppies-offices-1967640
Comments