Eve Molzhon ’96 became a successful entrepreneur by understanding the needs of her community, applying her deep understanding of dogs, and supporting her employees’ growth. Her unconventional journey has been shaped by personal obstacles and unexpected opportunities.
Molzhon was in high school when she ran away from home and lived in a relative’s attic. Later, her friend’s mother walked her into Viterbo and introduced her to an admissions counselor. She learned it was possible to go to college. “Suddenly, I wasn’t the kid who grew up in a trailer. I was a student, and that is how they treated me, as a student and as an individual.”
She studied accounting, nearly failed, but a lightbulb went off. “I can do something. I can be in business.” School became a priority and she soaked up the content in her business classes, including business law, marketing, and a management course. “Our teachers worked in the real world and they wanted students to equate the coursework to real life.”
She recalled her externship with Trane Co. “They had us working with a real company in La Crosse and showing me the value of that education. It was truly an ah-ha moment. I could do more than what my socio-economic background said I could.”
Molzhon worked in outside sales for US Cellular. She started a print shop in West Salem, EZ Print & Copy. “Someone told me we needed a printing shop,” she laughed. “We became known as the custom wedding shop, for invitations.” She also worked for Authenticom.
Her heart fills with service – Molzhon coordinated the construction of the Hmong Community and Cultural Center in La Crosse. She volunteered for La Crosse Area Business Association (LABA) and organized extreme home makeovers as fundraising projects.
Fun Fur Pets began when a local organization that fosters and trains service dogs needed a boarding facility. As president and board member of Capable K9s of Wisconsin for 24 years, Molzhon saw an opportunity, and Fun Fur Pets was born. Nearly 11 years later, it is going strong, boasting six different dog play groups (determined by dog size and energy level), and averaging close to 100 dogs in daycare most days. Located in La Crosse, Fun Fur Pets is close to area hospitals and businesses, making it a convenient drop-off and pick-up location. The long hours are also designed to work well for second and third shift workers.
Her dog handlers are all certified. They can earn certification through Dog Handler Academy, another one of Molzhon’s businesses.
“It is an online program that spun out of Covid.” During Covid, many people added a dog to their families. When everyone returned to school and work in-person, dog daycares and boarding facilities needed to add staff quickly.
She started recording educational videos on dog handling basics for dog daycare and boarding employees. She sent them to other people in the industry, and Dog Handler Academy took off. “We have been providing online education for three years. We are now in 14 countries, including Australia, the UK, Canada, and Finland.”
Molzhon saw an opportunity to start yet another business during Covid. “There were 150 empty boarding kennels at a training facility in Minneapolis.” She found good use for them with the Dog School of Minnesota. “It’s a 12-week program. People drop their dogs off for the day, and we train them.”
Recently, she built Pawesome Pets Country Club, an enrichment-based dog daycare and boarding facility in Holmen, just north of La Crosse.
What are the secrets to Molzhon’s growth? She prioritizes continuing education. “I attend about eight conferences a year for my own personal education,” she said. “There’s always a better way to do it.”
She also invests heavily in her employees. “They will always know where they stand,” she said. “I am fair, but firm.” She might help an employee pay for their auto repairs or for a haircut. “Half of my staff is in recovery of some sort,” Molzhon said. “This is my pay-it-forward.”
A dog daycare and training supervisor shared that Molzhon keeps her on her toes and offers personal and professional growth opportunities. “She has helped me understand my personal finances, and helped me find places to live,” the Fun Fur Pets employee offered.
Second Chance to Shine, a non-profit program, was founded as a happy accident and assists rescue organizations throughout the Midwest. “Rescues asked if I could evaluate a dog.” Molzhon and her team provide the dogs in the Second Chance to Shine program (that is housed within Fun Fur Pets) with basic manners training and social rehabilitation skills if needed – before they are ready to find their forever home.
“Fun Fur Pets covers their food, any veterinarian needs, and training as donation,” she said. “It’s our why.”
