Graduating in 2022 from the Grande École Program at Paris School of Business, Clara Zambuto decided to leave office life behind to pursue the project of her dreams: creating France's first Dog Barkery.
Drawing on her years of study, an international exchange program, and professional experience, she opened *La Casa Del Doggo* in June 2024—a unique space dedicated to strengthening the bond between dogs and their owners, offering opportunities for shared moments of connection and socializing.
Ambitious and brimming with ideas, Clara has successfully created a strong brand identity, and *La Casa Del Doggo* has already enjoyed significant success just a few months after its opening.
Clara's Journey
Can you introduce yourself?
My name is Clara Zambuto, I’m 25 years old, and I am the founder of *La Casa Del Doggo*, an innovative concept store for dog lovers in Paris. Additionally, I am an alumna of Paris School of Business, where I completed my studies in management.
Tell us about your experience at Paris School of Business.
I joined Paris School of Business at the age of 18, right after graduating high school, and I immediately sought to get involved in the school’s student life. From the start, I felt a strong desire to fully engage and contribute to organizing events that energized the student community. This led me to join the Student Union (BDE), where I first served as secretary of a candidate list and later became an active member for a year.
One of the pivotal moments of my time at Paris School of Business was my exchange year in Shanghai. This experience opened my eyes to cultural diversity and allowed me to travel across Asia while also embarking on a journey of personal discovery. It was the most impactful year of my life—not only because I gained tremendous maturity but also because I met Lucas during that time. Today, Lucas is both my partner and business associate.
My studies at Paris School of Business were a true springboard, both professionally and personally, offering me invaluable opportunities to grow and prepare for the future.
What motivated you to join Paris School of Business?
What attracted me to Paris School of Business was, above all, the vibrant student life and the opportunity to spend a year abroad. However, what truly convinced me was the school’s emphasis on developing soft skills—those essential human competencies for the professional world. For me, a business school is the perfect place to navigate the transition from adolescence to adulthood while preparing for a career. Another decisive factor was the chance to spend two years in a work-study program. I’ve always been motivated by work and wanted to dive into the professional world as early as possible to figure out what truly suited me.
How did you envision your future career as a student?
When I was a student, I imagined myself working in a large company, holding a management position. But over time, I realized that this type of career path might not align with my deeper aspirations. I’ve always been passionate about project management and creativity, and my time at Paris School of Business allowed me to meet people with an entrepreneurial spirit. Their influence gradually planted the seed of wanting to create my own business, even though it wasn’t an immediate goal at the time.
The Concept Store
What is La Casa Del Doggo, and what inspired you to create it?
La Casa Del Doggo is a concept store for dogs in Paris—a space where pet owners can socialize with their furry companions while enjoying a friendly and welcoming environment. The idea came to me shortly after I graduated from Paris School of Business. I had signed a permanent contract at Société Générale following my work-study experience there, but I quickly realized that the banking world wasn’t for me.
It was around this time that I adopted a small dog, and I noticed a glaring lack of spaces in Paris where dogs and their owners could socialize together. Having traveled extensively, I had seen similar concepts in other countries, but Paris—despite being home to roughly 700,000 dogs—was missing something like this.
Beyond my love for animals, I’ve always wanted to do something meaningful, something where I could truly thrive. La Casa Del Doggo is the realization of that aspiration.
What challenges did you face during the creation process?
The entrepreneurial journey is full of hurdles. One of the first challenges I encountered was dealing with other people’s opinions. Many found it hard to understand why I would leave a comfortable permanent position to open a dog concept store. Beyond perceptions, there were also technical challenges: securing funding, finding a suitable location, managing accounting, adhering to hygiene regulations, and even learning how to run a kitchen. Becoming an entrepreneur means turning into a true multitasker, which is both incredibly enriching and highly stimulating.
How has it been since opening?
Since the opening, things have been going wonderfully! We were fortunate to be quickly noticed by the media, which gave us great visibility from the start. The store is doing really well, and we’ve even started working on external projects. It’s incredibly encouraging, and we hope this positive momentum continues for as long as possible.
What are your future plans for La Casa Del Doggo?
We plan to open a second store by 2025! Our ambition is to expand the concept and establish multiple locations. In an ideal world, we’d love to create a network of Casa Del Doggo spaces so that every dog lover can find a welcoming spot close to home.
What advice would you give to students who want to pursue entrepreneurship?
I’d tell them that entrepreneurship is an incredible adventure. If you have an idea you’re passionate about, go for it and trust yourself! Don’t be afraid of failure—there’s no such thing as failure, only lessons to learn. Successfully bringing a project to life brings immense satisfaction, and it’s that passion that makes all the difference.