During a recent chat with comic Lewis Black, the former Daily Show correspondent revealed the secret to life. "Do what you love," Black said. "I think that's a huge part of being healthy. I think the people that work a job all week long that they don't like aren't too thrilled with life for a reason. I'm fortunate that I love what I do."
Ruth Kiser can relate to Black's rant. In 2008, after working in the mortgage industry for 27 years, Kiser lost her job during the financial crisis and was left wondering how she would pay her own mortgage.
"It was awful," Kiser said. "I couldn't find a job after I was laid off in 2008. There was nothing happening in the world of mortgages. I didn't know what I was going to do."
Kiser, 62, was unemployed until 2011. The Elmwood Park native landed a job working in titles. However, it failed to fulfill Kiser. "I decided in 2008, when I was 45, that I wasn't going to be miserable until I retire," Kiser said. "The key for me was doing what I love to do."
Kiser bought a shop in Sea Girt in 2015 and launched Paws Pet Boutique. However, the location was less than ideal. A year after opening Kiser looked for another locale and Asbury Park was suggested.
"I never thought I could afford Asbury Park but it was actually less than what I paid in Sea Girt," Kiser said.
Paws Barkery and Boutique opened on Cookman Avenue in 2017. The shop became an instant destination courtesy of Kiser's K9 confections, which are handmade dog and cat treats.
"I have two fabulous women bake for me every day," Kiser said. "We use a big commercial mixer and we have a pizza dough like press. They flatten everything out and it gets dehydrated for 24 hours to remove all moisture."
Pumpkin biscotti, barking for bacon, banana pawberry, bitchin beef and cheese, peanut butter, peanut butter bacon and salmon sweet potato are the options. "All of the treats are human grade," Kiser said. "I've had people come in here and say, 'It smells so good, can I eat what you're making?' They can eat them."
However, Kiser can't market the treats, which are all natural, to humans. "But I can't stop you from eating them if that's what you want to do," Kiser said. "I have a customer who comes in here and she eats the peanut butter treats with her dog. That's her choice."
Paws Barkery and Boutique also carries a full line of other USA made chew treats and bakery items. There's also a full line of pet accessories, such as bandanas, collars, leashes and toys, some of which are handmade.
"We have so many pet products but we also have a human section," Kiser said. "We have hoodies for humans."
It's going so well for Paws Barkery and Boutique that a second shop opened in Convention Hall in April of 2024.
"It's been amazing," Kiser said. "We moved into the shops next to the arcade. It's just been a lot of work."
When the second Paws Barkery opened Kiser had no choice but to leave her full-time job working titles. "There was no way I could manage two stores and work 35 hours a week," Kiser said. "But it's all worked out for the best."
Within the next five years, Kiser hopes to cut her work load in half. "I would like to be able to work 35 hours a week as opposed to 70 so I can enjoy things in life a little more," Kiser said.
The avid traveler hopes to see more of the world. "I have a bucket list of places where I want to go," Kiser said. "I work so hard and so I just want to go and travel."
Kiser, who has enjoyed visiting the San Juan Islands, Alaska and Toronto, over recent years, will have limited time for excursions due to the demands of Paws Barkery and Boutique.
However, since her shop is a labor of love, Kiser is fine with her day to day responsibilities. "I get to do what I want," Kiser said. "It's great that I don't have to report to anyone. The last person I worked with (in the mortgage world) was like Satan himself. I don't have to deal with anyone like that. I get to work with people here in Asbury Park, which is amazing since I love that the people in this city are so free. You can be yourself in Asbury Park. That's an absolute draw. And people who come here feel that it's free and accepting. Asbury Park is a unique community and I'm so happy to have not just one but two shops. It's so great to be part of such an incredible place."
Ruth Kiser has worked a 9-5 job and been self-employed. The owner of Paws Barkery and Boutique prefers the latter. "It's so gratifying relying totally on yourself," Kiser said. "I don't have as cozy a lifestyle getting a paycheck every week but I'm very motivated every day."
"All of the treats are human grade. I've had people come in here and say, 'It smells so good, can I eat what you're making?'