From Passion to Purpose: Meet Riley Dupuis

This July, we’re proud to spotlight Riley Dupuis (they/them) as our Client of the Month. What began as a desire to help their first dog feel safe and confident grew into a passion-driven business dedicated to supporting both dogs and their humans.

Today, Riley is building a dog training practice rooted in empathy, education, and community. Along the way, they’ve embraced the challenges of entrepreneurship, developed new business skills, and created a more accessible and sustainable service for their clients. With support from YES, Riley gained the clarity, confidence, and direction needed to transform a heartfelt passion into a purposeful business.

Read on to learn more about Riley’s inspiring journey, the lessons they’ve learned, and the community that continues to support them every step of the way.

When did you start your entrepreneurial journey and what were some of your goals when you started?

Without even realizing it, my entrepreneurial journey probably started the day I adopted my first dog, Picolo. I was so excited to finally become a pet parent, but as soon as I brought him home, I realized he needed a lot of help to feel safe in this world.

I became deeply curious about dog behavior because there was nothing I wanted more than to help him find the sense of peace and safety he deserved.

At the time, I was also a full-time student in Gender Studies. Honestly, it was when I started enthusiastically pitching the idea of making dogs the subject of my thesis in political feminist studies to my peers that I realized the intensity of my passion (and maybe a tiny bit of obsession).

I wasn’t thinking about business goals at all; I was simply following what felt like my calling. My only goal was to be accepted into a dog training program. Everything else followed from there.

What stage are you at now? What have been your greatest achievements?

I could use all the official business development terms my coach taught me, but if I had to compare my company to a human, I’d say it “just turned 18!”

“I recently got my driver’s license; I can officially vote, and I’m much more independent than before, but I still have a lot to learn.”

One important turning point for me was graduating from my 18-month dog training program in May 2025. Over the past three years, I’ve also had the opportunity to meet many, many dogs while working at a local pet store in my neighbourhood and building a wonderful community around me.

At this point, I kind of know every dog in the neighbourhood. I occasionally interrupt conversations with my friends when I spot one, and I’m always very proud to say their name out loud… if that counts!

One of my biggest milestones has been making my services more accessible. What started mostly through word of mouth has grown into a business where people can easily find me online, learn about my services, and book the option that best fits their needs. Building those systems has made my business feel much more intentional and sustainable.

More than anything, though, I’m proud of the community that has helped me get here. None of this would have been possible without the people who trusted me, encouraged me, and cheered me on along the way.

Since June was Pride Month, I also wanted to give a special shoutout to my queer community, whose support, encouragement, and generosity have played a huge role in my growth, both personally and professionally.

What were/are your biggest struggles?

I’d say one of my biggest challenges (if I may call it that) has been learning how to become an entrepreneur, with everything that comes with it. Developing new skills like building a website, managing social media, learning marketing concepts, doing taxes, and answering emails at 8 p.m…. I wasn’t expecting the amount of time – or the completely new skill set – I would need to develop.

When I started this journey, I truly imagined myself mostly playing with dogs and teaching them new skills. I had no idea that three hours of work could sometimes result in less than ten minutes of actual hands-on training with a dog, or that a one-hour session with a client could involve two to five hours of preparation behind the scenes.

I also quickly realized that this work isn’t only about training dogs. It’s about listening, understanding, motivating, supporting, and helping humans make sense of their dog’s behaviour. In many ways, I’m lucky that I already had a strong foundation in those human-centred skills, but it’s still something that requires a lot of care, reflection, and ongoing learning.

Today, one of my biggest challenges is growing my online visibility. I’m naturally a pretty private person, and social media doesn’t always come instinctively to me, meaning I don’t automatically think to film, document, or share my day-to-day work. But I also know how important visibility is when you want to reach the humans and dogs who could genuinely benefit from what you offer. I’m still learning every day, and I feel ready to be discovered.

What was the problem you were experiencing before you came into YES?

I think I needed a lot of guidance to figure out my priorities. I was often unsure if I was doing the right thing at the right time.

I had a lot of tools in my hands – two certifications, a network, clients, determination, and passion – but I didn’t yet know how to organize all of that into a clear direction or use everything in a way that truly made sense together.

What did you find as a result of using our services? What was the best thing about it?

One of the most valuable things I gained through YES was personalized guidance from someone who truly understands business development. As a new entrepreneur, I often felt overwhelmed by all the different directions I could take. Friends and family genuinely wanted to help, but everyone had different advice, and I often felt like something was missing—someone who understood the reality of building a business.

Working with my coach gave me clarity, confidence, and direction. She helped me think beyond my passion for dogs and start looking at my project through a business lens.

One lesson that has stayed with me is that marketing isn’t something to rush into; it becomes much more effective when it’s built on a strong foundation. That shift in perspective has influenced many of the decisions I’ve made since and helped me focus on building a business that is intentional before trying to grow it.

How do you feel about the service you have received from YES?

I’m incredibly grateful for the support I’ve received from YES. It gave me structure at a time when I had a lot of ideas but not always the clarity to prioritize them or turn them into something cohesive.

It also made the whole process feel less overwhelming and less lonely. Being able to talk things through with someone who understands both the business side and the human reality behind it made a huge difference for me.

YES has had an important impact on my journey, and I’m especially grateful to my coach for her support, her insight, and the way she was able to meet me exactly where I was while still helping me move forward.

Do you have any other thoughts you would like to share?

I always feel like I have one more thing to say.

First of all, thank you to YES for this opportunity and for all the support you’ve offered throughout my entrepreneurial journey. It has truly made a difference.

And if you’re part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community – or you’re still exploring your gender identity – I hope you won’t be afraid to embrace who you are and pour your heart into what truly drives you.

For a while, I wondered whether my background in Gender Studies and my work with dogs belonged in the same story. Today, I realize they absolutely do. The values that guide me in one are the same values that guide me in the other: empathy, curiosity, respect, and a desire to help others thrive.

The world needs more people who bring their whole selves into what they do.

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Riley is a testament to what can happen when passion meets perseverance, community support, and the right guidance at the right time.

For more information on Riley’s company, riley & compagnons, click here.

Interested in coaching support for your entrepreneurial journey? Learn more about YES services for entrepreneurs here.