Buffalo Boss Babe : Ines McNeil

Ines moved into the states at 4 years old and chose Buffalo to be her home for her business. She has written a book and now coaches others on creating and scaling their own business! Read her story below and follow her at @ines.mcneil , The Modern Dog Trainer.

What made you start or brought you where you are today ? Tell us your Story. What makes you a Buffalo Boss Babe?

“Ines McNeil, B.S. Biology, CPDT-KA, is a dog training industry expert and founder of the industry-leading dog training business coaching company, The Modern Dog Trainer, in 2014. She’s also an incoming member of the board of directors of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers in 2023”. --- I am driven to help women find happiness and financial independence by doing more of what they enjoy. My unique perspectives come from my life experiences including immigrating to the US at 4 years old from France. The culture and language barriers made it challenging to relate and blend in with peers and animals played an important role in helping me build human connections. I started out working with dogs in animal rescue in Texas in 2006. Eventually this led to a variety of roles in the dog training industry including working at big box pet stores, vet clinics, dog training schools, working for other trainers, and finally starting my own dog training business in 2011. Now, through The Modern Dog Trainer, my team and I help hundreds of professional dog trainers around the world figure out how to build a six-figure dog training business that suit their ideal life, working with people and dogs they live, and avoiding burnout. I have an unmatched expert, 6-person team in place to operate the company and support our customers through their pet business journeys.

Who are your favorite people to follow ?

I'm inspired by women that pursue wealth and success unapologetically. Women such as Denise Duffield-Thomas (author of Get Rich Lucky Bitch), Bethenny Frankel, Tanja Hester (author of Work Optional and Our Next Life), Kiersten Saunders (of Rich and Regular), Paula Pant (Afford Anything) and many other women that prioritize their financial security and literacy without sacrificing their needs and wants in life.

What are your favorite things to do in the area ? Buffalo and greater WNY

I have a 3 year old so we focus on family friendly activities. We love hiking in local parks, exploring new playgrounds, and checking out new restaurants. My favorite time of the year is summer when we can explore nature in our own backyards through Buffalo in Bloom and Lockport in Bloom.

Tell us about your favorite collaboration or dream collaborations ?

In 2021, I collaborated with several national organizations, the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers® (CCPDT®), the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC), and the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT), to advocate for the care and consideration of pet parents navigating their dog training journey through an initiative called the Pet Parent Pledge. It was inspiring to bring several leading organizations together to promote awareness and compassion towards the pet parents that become aware that they'll need to bridge the difference between the expectations they had for their dogs and the reality they face with the dog they have at hand.

If you could have coffee with anyone in the world who would it be?

My mom. I'm not one to idolize others. I believe we have something to learn from everyone and that, if we listen, our own intuition is wise beyond what others could teach you. So I'd rather spend the time with a woman I love and who the made me who I am today and gave me opportunities beyond dreams by moving half way across the world with two young kids in pursuit of a different and better life for her kids - and achieved it.

What are your hopes, dreams, goals. Big or small?

My biggest dream is to help other women generate their own wealth and success all the while building my own wealth so that my family can be forever financially independent. I want to raise a powerful daughter that prioritizes her success, health, and wealth, over the demands of others all the while being kind and treating everyone equally.

Tell us about your family?

My family moved to the US when I was 4 years old. We moved to Austin Texas from France. All my relatives still live there, its just my immediate family here. We became US citizens and have never looked back. The opportunities here provide career flexibility and advancement unlike what we would have faced in France. I'm eternally grateful for my parents wise and brace decision to make the leap. I met my husband in my first year in college while pursuing my B.S. Biology and we've now been together over 13 years. He has been an incredible father to our 3 year old daughter and I would be lying if I said I achieved everything on my own. He has been by my side, supporting and coaching me, every step of the way. He was the primary caretaker of our daughter for the first two years of her life, giving me the space and time to build my company.

FEEL GOOD FAVORITES

Restaurant in Buffalo:

Prescott's Provisions

Color:

Purple

Super Power:

Resilience

Animal :

Dog

Season of the year:

Summer

Favorite thing about Buffalo / WNY:

Experiencing the seasons! We dont get much variety in Texas.