AMY BURSOR | CP Magazine | Business Woman

Lemme tell you a little about me…I was born and raised in Schenectady, NY and graduated cum laude from the University at Buffalo with a BA in Dance. In 2001 I moved to NYC to pursue my Broadway dreams. I danced professionally for a few years in different off Broadway shows and during my search for a theater agent I ended up signing with a commercial one instead. I started auditioning and booking commercials and discovered a new love. I've since shot local, national and international commercials.

Not to toot my own horn, but I'm also an accomplished tv host and actress. I've hosted many exciting events with ImPress Magazine, Stryker TV, Manhattan Up, and many more. I studied acting at the acclaimed William Esper Studio and graduated from their 2 year program. I've since booked leads on Netflix’s Secret Lives of Halsey Lane, tv pilot The Uncle Gerry Show, Scorned: Love Kills & more When I'm not in front of the camera I can be found hanging out with my #1 girl, a little chihuahua named Lucy! (Who's also been known to pop up in ads and commercials with me!) Oh, and I also started my own dog food delivery company 3 Paws Kitchen!

3 PAWS KITCHEN

The inspiration for this company came from my two beloved dogs. Pike After a lengthy online search and then taking matters into my (black & white) was diagnosed with Pancreatitis and needed to be put own hands I became a certified pet nutritionist and dove on a special low fat diet. As a picky eater trying to find something that headfirst into home cooking. It took some trial and error (we was low fat and that he would eat was incredibly difficult. Lucy, my now won't mention the liver debacle) but I created a recipe that three legged Chihuahua was diagnosed with Stage 2 Cancer that both dogs love! Pike's Pancreatitis cleared up within a week required her front leg to be amputated (we kicked cancer's ass and I haven't had any issues with Lucy's kidneys since. I feel btw) and the early onset of kidney stones. She needed a low protein good knowing what's in their food, where it came from and diet. I searched everywhere to find a food that would suit both dogs that I can pronounce every single ingredient. Our motto is "if I but could not find a single product on the market. wouldn't eat it it's not going in their food".

What does it mean for you to be an entrepreneur? Plain and simple, Freedom. I love the fact that I can be my own boss, make the rules or break them and do things my way on my time.

What was your motivation to become an entrepreneur? My dog Lucy got cancer 3 years ago and had to have her leg amputated, our other dog Pike had Pancreatitis and would throw up on almost a daily basis. I started hearing about all the scary sketchy things that are in commercial dog food and decided to do some research to find out the truth for myself. This led to me falling down the rabbit hole and learning a whole host of things I couldn’t believe. I decided then and there to do something to take control of my dogs health. I became a certified pet nutritionist and worked with my veterinarian to develop a fresh human grade ingredient diet that would get my dogs healthy and keep them healthy for the rest of their lives. Lucy has been cancer-free for 3 years now and within a week of feeding a fresh diet Pike’s Pancreatitis cleared up and he throws up now maybe once every few months.

Having to hand my dog over to the surgeon to have her leg amputated was the hardest moment of my life. I would never want anyone else to have to feel that and so I started my mission to help other dogs and their owners.

What is the function of your company? Our company creates healthy handmade human grade dog food that is complete and balanced nutrition and delivered straight to your door.

What have been the biggest difficulties as a woman you encountered in this job? Being taken seriously as an entrepreneur and a boss. I had one instance where I was calling and calling a company and emailing and emailing and I got no response. I had my boyfriend call and he got an immediate friendly response.

You never thought about abandoning it? NEVER

What is the most sacrificed to fulfill your dreams? I’ve sacrificed a lot of my life for my dreams. I’ve put off getting married, having kids, a steady income, security, and stability for the unknown but that’s what makes life exciting.

There will be those who think you are very lucky, so tell us also about the difficult times you have lived until you get here. When I came to Manhattan I moved here with only $300 to my name. There was a time when my lease was up on my apartment and I got declined for a new one. Another tenant was moving into my apartment so I had to leave and had no where to go. I ended up homeless. I spent one night at the most run down scary motel where I slept on top of the cot with my coat on because it was disgusting and cold. I cried myself to sleep and the the next day I checked myself into the YMCA. It is very true what they say. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and I’m tough as nails now!

You commented a while ago that you would like to inspire people, make them believe in the success of their ideas and projects. Don't you think that, somehow, you are doing it with your own example? I hope that I am able to inspire people. I truly believe that if I can do it anyone can.

A question: what did you want to be “when you grow up”? When I was young I wanted to be a dancer. I started dancing at the age of 4 and it was all I ever wanted to do. I went to college and graduated with a Degree in Dance, moved to NYC and started dancing professionally. I achieved my childhood dream and still dance around my apartment every day but have since moved on to achieve my next dream.

You have opened many doors, but have others been closed to you? Closed doors are nothing that I am a stranger to. As a dancer it was par for the course. I believe anything worth having is worth pursuing not matter how many stumbling blocks you encounter. My love for dogs and the heartbreak I’ve experienced with Lucy inspired me to create 3 Paws Kitchen so it’s about more than succeeding, it’s about helping others no matter how many doors are shut in my face. You just have to keep knocking.

Do you think there is an objective formula that allows any businesswoman to achieve success? My objective is to stay true to my vision and not waste time comparing or imitating. We all have something genuine and unique to offer and as long as you stay true to yourself you can’t fail.

How far would you be willing to go to achieve your professional goals? Giving up is not an option. I’ve put my whole heart and soul into this. I’m going to keep going no matter what to achieve this dream.

Could you give us a definition of what you understand by success? I think success is different for everyone. Everyday when I overcome another hurtle and meet another goal I feel successful. I look back at how far I’ve come and I feel successful. To me success isn’t measured by money, notoriety or fame.

What have you learned from your previous successes? I’ve learned that anything worth having takes time, hard work, blood, sweat and tears!

How would you like to see yourself in a few years? I would like to see my company branching out into different aspects of business, beyond just dog food. A whole dog lifestyle brand maybe…

What advice would you give to women entrepreneurs, entrepreneurs or those who want to become? Go. For. It. This is our time, there’s never been a better time to be a woman in business or just a woman in general. We rock!