Let's meet some of Destin's pet owners who are also some of the area's most versatile business owners. From a gym owner with a focus on educating about bully breeds to a cleaning service that specializes in pet-friendly services, check out our round-up of amazing pets with their professionals.
Grettel Olivos
Grettel Olivos is a native Peruvian and the owner of Olive: The Cleaning Boutique. She is living the dog-mom life she never dreamed of. It was Grettel’s now 19-year-old daughter, Mia, who originally wanted a dog. Grettel says she wasn’t sure about taking on a dog at the time, but in the end, Mia convinced her.
“Our dog West is the baby boy I never had,” Grettel said. “West is a daily reminder that through hard work and focus, there is good even in the toughest of times.”
West is an energetic and playful 5-year-old sweet boy. He loves treats, toys and during the day he can be seen lounging around the house. Grettel cooks homemade food for West and he has his own TikTok account.
“He truly is the most spoiled dog in the world,” she said.
Love brought Grettel to the United States in 2014, and in 2020 she moved from Texas to the Emerald Coast. Once here, Grettel noticed a need for quality cleaning services.
“My concerns for my family’s health during the pandemic increased my obsession for cleaning,” Grettel said. “That is how Olive: The Cleaning Boutique was born.”
Sally Foster
Sally Foster is the co-owner of Flex Fitness Center, which she shares with her husband Dan Foster. The couple’s two fur kids, Flex and Xena, are the face of the business.
“My husband and I are huge pitbull advocates and are sponsoring bully breeds through Saving With Soul,” Sally said. “With our love for pitbulls, we wanted to use the gym platform to help create an interest in learning about pitbulls. They will genuinely listen, and do what you want, unfortunately, some owners are not meant to be pet owners that give these beautiful dogs a bad name.”
Flex Fitness Center opened its doors in August 2017 with the goal to give people a place to be comfortable and feel welcomed. Together the Fosters have created a safe and positive-driven gym along with the Flex Family Team.
Sally has lived in Okaloosa County for almost 34 years.
“I am proud to be a Floridian raising my dogs on the most beautiful beaches in America,” she said. “We want to be the best dog parents we can be and we hope by sharing our life, we can spread pitbull awareness with our programs and the work with local rescues.”
Mary Ellen Cornelison
Mary Ellen Cornelison is a proud fur baby momma to twin kittens Heckler and Kosch, adopted from Alaqua Animal Refuge. These furry companions have brought her immense joy over the past two years.
In addition to her role as a devoted pet parent, Mary is a local realtor with Hometown Realty Partners and a talented artist in the community. A former Atlanta resident for 20 years, Mary was an accomplished model and actress, as well as a hair and make-up artist and salon owner.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Mary is also a published author who has founded a charity foundation called YouShine. Her passion for giving back to the community is evident in her charitable efforts. Mary's entrepreneurial spirit has also been passed down to her three sons, who have undoubtedly been inspired by their mother's drive and dedication.
With a diverse background in the arts, entertainment and real estate, Mary brings a unique perspective to her work. Her creative talents shine through in her real estate transactions, where she approaches each client's needs with a personalized touch. In her artwork, Mary's passion for self-expression and creativity is evident in every piece she creates.
Eliana Ciao
As an Italian immigrant to Florida, Eliana Ciao always dreamed of owning her own business and providing a unique and memorable service to her clients. This dream became a reality with The Tipsy Mule, which began as a side-gig offering mobile bar services for events. What started as a small venture quickly exploded into a large-scale event service. The Tipsy Mule transitioned from serving small gatherings to hosting large parties and adding cocktail crafting classes to our repertoire.
As an Italian, Eliana said she couldn't resist incorporating pasta-making classes into her company's offerings.
"My heritage and passion for food have always driven me to bring people together around the table for family-cooked meals," she said. "The joy and camaraderie experienced during our pasta-making classes and the laughter created in our cocktail-making sessions are the most rewarding aspects of our events."
Eliana said that her two fur babies help her to relax after a long day of work. Penelope is her 9-year-old Chihuahua and Mafalda is her Dachshund-Beagle mix.
"Penelope is a joy to watch prance around when I get home after a long day. And Mafalda, I named after my favorite pasta shape because she is the fluffiest, happiest, and most adventurous partner."