Windy City Media Group Frontpage News

THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

home search facebook twitter join
Gay News Sponsor Windy City Times 2023-12-13
DOWNLOAD ISSUE
Donate

Sponsor
Sponsor
Sponsor

  WINDY CITY TIMES

Gay owner provides 'Paradise' for pets
Special to the online edition of Windy City Times
by Ross Forman, Windy City Times
2012-05-15

This article shared 2372 times since Tue May 15, 2012
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email

      More Photos


Saq Nadeem presented his detailed, pet-driven business plan to his professors at the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University in 2005.

A year later, one of his professors asked when he was going to launch his plan—a premier resort for cats and dogs located near major airports in pet-friendly major cities—because she is a dog owner and was ready to invest.

Nadeem was working at the time and traveling extensively, so he truly understood the woes pet owners face when they have to board their favorite, furry, four-legged friends. Pet owners often are impacted by the hours of operation for boarding facilities, coupled with their scheduled flights and, of course, unexpected flight delays.

It can be a vicious circle, Nadeem admitted.

"I always wanted the business plan to materialize, but I didn't know how it was going to happen," he said. "The pet industry is huge [ financially ] and, for the most part, fairly recession-resistant. I knew, at some point, that I wanted to work with pets."

However, Nadeem was working for a consulting firm at the time.

During the fall of 2006, Nadeem asked to be assigned to more local projects, primarily so he had the time to further develop his pet project.

In the summer of 2007, he went part-time at the consulting firm and then, in October 2007, he left his job at Diamond Management & Technology Consultants ( now known as PWC Consulting ) to focus full-time on his furry friends.

Nadeem opened Paradise 4 Paws in 2008 as the company's president, or "Top Dog," as his business card states. There are locations near O'Hare International Airport ( in suburban Schiller Park ) , near Midway and on-site at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. ( Paradise 4 Paws Dallas has been selected as a finalist for Best of Dallas by D Magazine. )

"It has been more than I ever thought it would be," Nadeem said. "I have never worked harder; I have never been more stressed out in my life; and I also have never been happier.

"I really enjoy my job."

Nadeem, 34, who lives in Chicago's Buena Park neighborhood, is originally from Pakistan. He became a U.S. citizen in 2011 and will celebrate his fourth anniversary with his partner, Nick Rutan, in May. They have two dogs ( Vera and Miuccia ) and two cats ( Gucci and Versace ) .

"I love that I can bring my dogs to work, and see them whenever I want. I just wish I had more time to play with the dogs," said Nadeem, who has lived in Chicago since 2003 and was, in 2004, the first openly gay student-body president at Kellogg, which, he said, "was a huge honor, amazing."

Paradise 4 Paws combines quality and care for pets with convenience and service. That includes three levels of overnight suites for cats and dogs, dog day care, dog obedience training, cat and dog grooming, pet massage therapy, pet transportation and more. Each facility is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Paradise 4 Paws provides airport parking with complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport. Plus, the facility offers real-time webcam access, so traveling pet owners can spot their four-legged friends from afar.

The O'Hare location has about 26,000 square feet, showcasing the latest in pet-hotel technology, including cage- and crate-free pet boarding.

The dog suites, which can accommodate about 100 dogs, overlook the indoor play areas, with its indoor grass, soft rubber and even a bone-shaped splashing pool. Select dog suites have flat-screen TVs and 24-hour webcams.

Cats, of which the O'Hare location has space for about 20, are housed separately from dogs, highlighted by an adventure jungle where felines can spend time climbing and exploring the custom-made cat trees or watching fish in the aquarium.

"I knew, going back to before we even opened, that we had to make the service very convenient—and I think we have," Nadeem said. We have one-stop convenience, coupled with top-notch quality and care. Customers know that their pet is having a good time, is safe and comfortable."

Nadeem said his long-term vision for the business is to expand to more markets close to major airports across the United States, and continue to be a trusted provider of pet-care services.

Paradise 4 Paws will hold an anniversary celebration on Saturday, May 19. It will celebrate the fourth anniversary of the O'Hare location and first anniversary of the Midway location.

Visit www.paradise4paws.com or www.facebook.com/Paradise4Paws, or call 847-678-1200.


This article shared 2372 times since Tue May 15, 2012
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email

Out and Aging
Presented By

  ARTICLES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Gay News

Lakeside Pride Wilde Cabaret Valentine's Day Feb. 17 2024-02-16
--From a press release - Lakeside Pride Wilde Cabaret puts their own spin on Valentine's Day with a show celebrating things done and sacrificed for love - not just romantic love, but love for pets, friends, family and art. Join the ...


Gay News

NATIONAL Lily Tomlin, St. Louis, activist slashed, LGBTQ political candidates 2019-12-30
- Iconic LGBTQ comedian Lily Tomlin joined with several other comedy legends for a PSA in support of aging pets, The Washington Blade noted. In the video that The Grey Muzzle Organization produced, Tomlin is featured alongside ...


Gay News

Tree House has new eco-friendly Roger's Park building and a new look 2019-10-01
- Tree House has a new, modern logo and refreshed brand to match their new shelter facility and cutting-edge cat care model. For the third time in its 48-year history, Tree House is introducing a new logo ...


Gay News

Gay entrepreneur hopes to reach others through digital marketing 2019-06-26
- After years navigating the corporate world as a marketing professional for corporations like AT&T and Petsmart, Chris Hofstetter was ready for reinvention. Looking to start "act two" of his career, Hofstetter moved to Chicago with his ...


Gay News

TPAN launches Paws N' Effect program for HIV+ clients 2019-04-06
- TPAN, Lurie Children's Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine Division Head and TPAN Board of Directors member Dr. Rob Garofalo and Felines & Canines adoption center held a kick-off event for a new program, Paws N' Effect ...


Gay News

Happy Pet Holidays from Windy City Times 2017-12-20
- Windy City Times' annual pet photo feature. ...


Gay News

STAYCATION REVIEW The highs of Loews Chicago Hotel 2017-05-10
Special to the online edition of Windy City Times - You'd expect a hotel that offers gourmet room-service menu items for pets to be pretty unique and luxurious. On both counts, Streeterville's Loews Chicago Hotel (455 N. Park St.; https://www.loewshotels.com/chicago-downtown) ...


Gay News

MOMBIAN More fun with the Fletchers in new book sequel 2017-05-03
- They're back! The four boys, two dads and assorted pets who romped through Dana Alison Levy's award-winning middle-grade novel The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher return in The Family Fletcher Takes Rock Island. This time, the ...


Gay News

Happy Holidays from your pets and Windy City Times 2016-12-20
- Enjoy Windy City Times' annual photo gallery of pets in holiday finery. ...


Gay News

Tree House Humane Society gets new home, executive director 2016-08-31
- What would inspire a former police officer and a veteran of more than 20 years with animal welfare organizations from across the United States, Canada, Mexico and Australia to leave a year's worth of well-deserved retirement ...


Gay News

Gay couple among those displaced by fire 2016-01-17
- A Rogers Park couple are trying to rebuild their lives, and find their lost pets, in the wake of an extra-alarm fire that left them homeless. Nicholas Hayes and Andrew Breen lived in the building on ...


Gay News

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM WE HEART PETS! 2015-12-23
- A special thanks to everyone who submitted pet photos for this year's installment. May you enjoy the warmth and companionship of your pets this holiday season. ...


Gay News

PAWS Chicago honors the late Paul Lutter 2015-03-03
Special to the online edition of Windy City Times - The late gay attorney and activist Paul Lutter, who died last May, was honored at a PAWS (Pets Are Worth Saving) Chicago event Feb. 25. Lutter's estate bequeathed the PAWS for Life program $500,000 so low ...


Gay News

Photos: Pets at the holidays 2014-12-24
- HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM WE HEART PETS! A special thanks to everyone who submitted pet photos for this year's installment. May you enjoy the warmth and companionship of your pets this holiday season. ...


Gay News

We Love Pets 2014-04-22
- Mr. Peppermint is a three-year-old male New Zealand White. He has a lot of personality; he loves to follow you around the house, wedge himself under your feet while you sit, or hang out on the ...


 


Copyright © 2024 Windy City Media Group. All rights reserved.
Reprint by permission only. PDFs for back issues are downloadable from
our online archives.

Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, and
photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and no
responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials.

All rights to letters, art and photos sent to Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago
Gay and Lesbian News and Feature Publication) will be treated
as unconditionally assigned for publication purposes and as such,
subject to editing and comment. The opinions expressed by the
columnists, cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are
their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature Publication).

The appearance of a name, image or photo of a person or group in
Nightspots (Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times
(a Chicago Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature
Publication) does not indicate the sexual orientation of such
individuals or groups. While we encourage readers to support the
advertisers who make this newspaper possible, Nightspots (Chicago
GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay, Lesbian
News and Feature Publication) cannot accept responsibility for
any advertising claims or promotions.

 
 

TRENDINGBREAKINGPHOTOS







Sponsor


 



Donate


About WCMG      Contact Us      Online Front  Page      Windy City  Times      Nightspots
Identity      BLACKlines      En La Vida      Archives      Advanced Search     
Windy City Queercast      Queercast Archives     
Press  Releases      Join WCMG  Email List      Email Blast      Blogs     
Upcoming Events      Todays Events      Ongoing Events      Bar Guide      Community Groups      In Memoriam     
Privacy Policy     

Windy City Media Group publishes Windy City Times,
The Bi-Weekly Voice of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans Community.
5315 N. Clark St. #192, Chicago, IL 60640-2113 • PH (773) 871-7610 • FAX (773) 871-7609.