Walker Wednesday; Meet Brittany Barbera
Issue 1
Welcome to Walkio’s first issue of Walker Wednesday. Living in Nashville provides exposure to an array of talented people and we want to recognize the high concentration of talented Nashvillians here at Walkio on demand dog walking start up. Members of the Walkio community come from all walks of life with some unique stories in their own rights. Therefore, every Wednesday morning Walkio will feature a member of the Walkio community for you to learn more about and potentially request for your next walk!
Brittany Barbera is a singer-songwriter and author originally from Allentown, PA. Brittany has been a part of the Walkio family for over a year and has been responsible for anywhere between 5 to 13 pet care appointments a day.
Walkio: What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced when managing your clients expectations?
Brittany: The biggest challenge I have faced would be managing expectations with last minute requests. It seems trivial, in the past I would send a quick text message to every customer letting them know my ETA or how things went after the appointment. It can become a lot of managing when communication lines are across multiple channels. This is one element Walkio improved upon with notifications and channeling some communication through the app. At the end of the day, its about providing the best care possible for the animals. A pet owner deserves that peace of mind.
W: Do you have a favorite outdoor spot in Nashville?
BB: I love Centennial Park, that’s my place.
W: What’s your personal favorite dog breed?
BB: I had Labs and German Shepherds growing up, but I’ve come to love Boxers. They have the social qualities of a Lab, but they also like to exercise and go out and be active.
W: So you’re a musician as well, with an EP that you released on iTunes a few years back. What’s your favorite music venue in Nashville?
BB: Ryman Auditorium. That would be the dream. The acoustics in that space really resonate with me (no pun intended). I love seeing shows there.
W: Any unusual spots to enjoy music or play?
BB: One lesser known event that’s fun in the summer is at Dave & Busters. They have live music outdoors and I’ve played a few shows there. The stage is setup outside-lights and all- and the event spreads across the parking lot of the Opry Mills Mall.
W: Tell us a few unique things about you and your creative life outside of on demand dog walking and pet sitting.
BB: I make pottery. Mostly just for fun, but I do sell some stuff on Etsy. And the book is actually based on a song I wrote, so every chapter starts with a line from the lyrics. I’m releasing the paperback version in a couple of weeks and recording an acoustic version of the song shortly after.
To learn more about Brittany, visit her website at www.brittanybarbera.com. Check out her book, “Let Me Be Weak: What People In Pain Wish They Could Tell You”, for an artist’s insight into mental pain management secrets and self awareness. The book is available for sale on Amazon.com and Brittany’s original EP “The Sparrow” may be purchased on iTunes.
