Meet the owner of Lukas K9
Owner of LUKAS K9Ben Lukas with his dog CosmoMy name is Ben, and I am the face and name behind LUKAS K9. I'm excited to welcome you to my brand-new, part-time business! At 35 years old, I currently live in the Tri-Valley area, having spent my childhood in Pleasanton, where I was raised by my grandparents. Their guidance helped me overcome many challenges during my young adult life, shaping the person I am today.
In my late twenties, I started dating my current partner, Lauren, who has had a significant impact on the person I am today. Her support has helped me believe in myself and take the leap of faith to start this part-time business. I've always wanted to be my own boss, and now I finally have the opportunity!
I have a wire-terrier mix named Cosmo who just turned 4 in August 2024. Without children of my own, Cosmo is my pride and joy, and I know many pet parents see their dogs as members of the family too. I believe that anyone or any dog who meets me will sense my authenticity and sincerity. Lauren often says it’s my calm nature that helps me connect with dogs so well.
In addition to running my own business, I love staying active and spending time outdoors. I make it a priority to get outside each day, whether I'm walking with my dog or hiking with my grandpa. I cherish my time spent with friends and family, especially my two-year-old nephew—being his uncle is one of the best parts of my life. I've also recently started cooking more and am enjoying trying new recipes. Overall, I'm happily embracing a quiet and fulfilling life.
how & why i started lukas k9
LUKAS K9 is a small part-time business founded by Ben Lukas. It grew from a passion for working with dogs, a desire to be his own boss, and a need for a flexible schedule. As a one-man operation, Ben is the face and heart of LUKAS K9.
My professional career began at the age of 14, and by 17, I had graduated high school early while working full-time for a family business. I spent nearly a decade doing hard physical labor under the guise that I would eventually take over the company and run it as my own. However, by my mid-20s, I realized this path no longer suited me for numerous reasons. Feeling lost and having missed the chance to explore my personal interests as a teenager, I bounced between various hourly wage jobs, but none brought me happiness or fulfillment.
I met my partner Lauren during this transitional period in my life, and she encouraged me to think creatively about my career options. Unfortunately, she has chronic health conditions that changed her own career path, and her health declined after we met. By the peak of COVID, her symptoms worsened, requiring more assistance than we anticipated. At the same time, I lost my job. I began working part-time as her in-home caregiver, but as COVID restrictions lifted, her inconsistent schedule made it challenging to find a flexible part-time job to fill my remaining hours. Unfortunately, Lauren suffers from chronic health conditions and shortly after we met, her health declined. By the peak of COVID her symptoms worsened and she required more help than either of us anticipated ever happening so soon. At the same time, like many, I lost my current job. After that, I started working part-time as her in-home caretaker. However, by the time COVID restrictions lifted, her schedule and needs became so inconsistent with care and appointments that I struggled to find a part-time job with enough flexibility to fit my varying hours to help compensate for a full work week.
Feeling stumped after exploring various job options, I turned to my lifelong love of dogs. I’ve often been told that dogs are drawn to me, and I believe it’s because they sense a person's need for peace and understanding. Their non-judgmental love and acceptance make it easy for me to bond with them. I have always found joy in spending time with dogs, but I never considered that it could turn into something lucrative. So, when my partner Lauren suggested I try dog walking and in-home dog sitting in addition to the handyman work I had taken on, I decided to give it a shot. I signed up for a well-known pet care platform, and my business quickly took off. From dog walking to week-long care and sleepovers, I stayed busy with new and repeat clients, maintaining a perfect client rating and a host of happy customers.
So why start my own business?
While my experience on a popular pet care platform was initially successful, I decided to start my own business for two main reasons. First, I noticed that many clients wanted to pay me directly outside of the app to avoid the high fees taken by the platform. As I developed relationships with clients, it became clear that while dog owners valued the app's advertised protections, the high fees—much of which didn’t benefit the care provider directly—prompted the majority of my clients to work around the app.
Second, and the most significant reason, was my experience with the platform’s lack of support. After being attacked while on the job, and despite evidence regarding the owner’s shortcomings, it was painfully obvious that the company did not stand behind its employees. This incident left me discouraged and reconsidering my options while simultaneously dealing with some unexpected health issues. However, with time to reflect and the encouragement of Lauren, I decided to take a leap of faith. A year later and LUKAS K9 was created. Although I’m new to running a small business, my commitment to providing the same level of care I would want for my own dog drives me. By prioritizing communication and trust, I hope to create a welcoming environment for dog owners and their furry family members.
I’m excited to grow this small business and look forward to welcoming you into the LUKAS K9 family!
Ben with Cosmo + Lauren
ben with partner lauren
