We had the good fortune of connecting with Geri Hormel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Geri, what do you attribute your success to?
One of the most critical ingredients for success in any business is having a strong team of people who are thoroughly passionate about the mission and beliefs of your organization. I have been so lucky to have a team with an immense love for the dogs and for the rescue world as a whole. They are constantly working to find ways that we can better ourselves, as well as make a bigger impact.

What should our readers know about your business?
Almost There: A Mom + Pups Rescue (ATR) is a 501c3 dog rescue founded in 2013 which specializes in large breed pregnant or nursing dogs and their puppies. We have been temporarily closed since March 2020 due to Covid, however we are building a brand new facility on 26th St and Indian School which will be opening in October 2020! We have made several changes in the past few months, one of them being the introduction of several new volunteer roles such as Puppy Preschool Teacher, Mother Lover, Matchmaker, and many more! We will need all the volunteers we can get in order to be successful, so if you are interested in volunteering with us, fill out an application at www.almostthererescue.org/volunteer. Almost There Rescue has reached where it is today with patience and slow growth. We have taken the time to learn and adapt through the years, and are continuously applying our industries best practices our program as we grow. One of the most recent and exciting developments is the introduction of Puppy Culture to our organization. We are thrilled to utilize these methods on the puppies in our care to help shape them into the best dogs they can be! I’ve learned many lessons along the way, each lesson helping to build ATR into what it is today. If there were one particular thing that I would like the world to know about Almost There Rescue, it is that we are a group of truly passionate individuals who are working our tails off to do all that we can for those moms and pups in need! 

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Phoenix is such a great city with so many great places to visit! My absolute favorite (although I am biased) is the Wrigley Mansion. The Wrigley has hands down the most incredible views in the city. Go there for a sunset cocktail on the patio, get the exclusive experience of dining in the kitchen behind the scenes, or enjoy your Sunday morning with the best brunch in the valley. Right in that same location, Christopher Gross is opening his brand new restaurant this fall, aptly named Christopher’s. Not only will Christopher’s have the best food in the valley, but with floor to ceiling windows, it is gearing up to have the best views as well. Between the Wrigley and Christopher’s, you really can’t go wrong! If you’re looking to grab a beer, I’d take you to the Wandering Tortoise. They’ve got a great list of beers on tap, the people are super friendly, and there are games you can play with friends at your table. Plus they are dog friendly. What more could you want? If you’re the late night karaoke type (which I am), head over to Grapevine in Old Town Scottsdale. Grapevine is chalk full of all types of characters, and is always bound to be a good time! 

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would never be where I am today without the love and support from my mom, who has always encouraged me to do what I am truly passionate about. Sammy Nieto, who helped create the vision of ATR and stayed by my side while we built it. Elissa Mullany, who helped me turn Almost There Rescue from a dream to a reality. Megan Wiewel, who professionalized our entire operation. Annie Verderame, who took our social media from 200 followers to over 9,000 followers at lightning speed. Shirley Silva, who has continuously supported us and helped us stay organized behind the scenes from day one. Hunter Rodgers, who keeps me sane and gives me great advice when I’m feeling lost. There are so many more, and I am truly thankful for each and every one of you!

Website: www.almostthererescue.org
Instagram: www.instagram.com/almostthererescue
Facebook: www.facebook.com/almostthererescue

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