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As a part of the Morning Lazziness sequence about empowering girls who encourage and do unbelievable issues with their concepts in society, I had the pleasure of interviewing Lauren Anders Brown.
Lauren Anders Brown is an award-winning documentary filmmaker turned tech entrepreneur who based PadsPass, the digital pet passport. With over a decade of expertise in documentary filmmaking, she has captured tales throughout 40+ nations, together with battle zones, specializing in world well being and humanitarian points. Her work has been featured at prestigious venues together with the Cannes Movie Pageant and has earned a number of awards, together with two Telly Awards.
Lauren’s entrepreneurial journey started from private expertise after touring together with her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Pads, on 75 flights to 9 nations over ten years. When a traumatic separation incident occurred attributable to human error in pet journey documentation, she was impressed to create PadsPass to remove such issues for different pet households.
Her tech startup has efficiently closed their pre-seed funding spherical and was named “Finest New Pet Tech Startup in Bermuda of 2025”. Lauren has acquired a number of prestigious awards together with the CREA World Award and Brainz 500 World Award, recognizing her entrepreneurial success and dedication to serving to others. She continues to function a humanitarian advocate and speaks at conferences worldwide about feminine entrepreneurship and pet journey innovation.
What impressed you to change into an entrepreneur, and what sparked the thought in your present enterprise enterprise?
My entrepreneurial journey started with a devastating private expertise that highlighted a essential hole within the pet journey business. After taking 75 flights with my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Pads, over ten years to 9 nations, I believed I had mastered worldwide pet journey. Nonetheless, throughout a flight into Heathrow, a sequence of human errors on my own, my veterinarian, and airport workers led to Pads being separated from me for over 24 hours. This traumatic expertise—what I name a ‘by no means occasion’—made me understand there needed to be a greater method to take away human error from pet journey.
My background as an award-winning documentary filmmaker, having filmed in over 40 nations and labored on main productions like Ugly Betty, Home of Playing cards, and The Blacklist, taught me to establish systemic issues and discover options by storytelling. The transition from filmmaker to entrepreneur wasn’t rapid—it was sparked by the pandemic once I realized how specialised my filmmaking skillset was and determined to upskill into startups. Working as Artistic Director at startup Gamoteca launched me to the startup world, and that’s when concepts started producing about tips on how to make journey simpler for pet mother and father like myself.
What drawback does your enterprise remedy, and the way is it uniquely positioned available in the market?
PadsPass solves a $312 billion drawback within the pet business—the damaged worldwide pet journey system that locations monumental stress on pet mother and father, veterinarians, and animals themselves. Many governments have advanced, time-sensitive necessities which might be obscure, and the specter of quarantine or return to origin deters pet mother and father from touring, leading to large losses to the tourism economic system.
Our digital pet passport platform is the world’s first totally digital pet passport system that integrates animal well being data, microchip information, vaccination standing, and possession info right into a safe, cloud-based profile. What makes us distinctive is our compliance engine that constantly updates and verifies journey and regulatory necessities for airways and governments.
Not like conventional platforms that focus totally on paperwork, PadsPass customizes all the journey expertise. Our prototype has been used efficiently 12 out of 12 occasions for arrivals in Bermuda, utterly freed from stress and human error. We’ve acquired reward from veterinarians who say our platform makes the worldwide well being certificates course of ‘extraordinarily straightforward and stress-free’.
As somebody with IATA Stay Animal Rules certification, I perceive the aviation business’s security requirements firsthand. This experience, mixed with our veterinarian crew member Mariam Ferrer’s medical background, positions us uniquely to create options that serve all stakeholders—pet mother and father, vets, airways, and authorities companies.
What had been the most important challenges you confronted when beginning your enterprise, and the way did you overcome them?
The most important problem was transitioning from a inventive business mindset to a tech startup framework whereas sustaining authenticity. Coming from documentary filmmaking, the place I used to be used to touring continually and dealing on ardour initiatives, I needed to be taught fully new expertise in product growth, fundraising, and enterprise operations.
Studying to embrace failure was essential. As a recovering perfectionist, I initially struggled with the startup mentality of ‘fail quick and iterate’. I spent important sweat fairness perfecting a part of my prototype for a serious change within the pet journey world, solely to have these modifications rolled again, making that work quickly ineffective. Nonetheless, I tailored by turning our preparedness right into a public service announcement, which truly attracted an investor who appreciated our agility.
Monetary literacy was one other hurdle. Whereas folks had informed me for many years to be financially savvy, it took going by Bermuda’s Ignite Accelerator Programme and receiving funding to really perceive each greenback’s influence on our enterprise.
Understanding what it took to make our first 12 months occur ‘right down to the final dime’ has empowered me to plan strategically for progress.
The technical studying curve was important, however I leveraged my community successfully. I requested profitable startup founders and tech leaders for mentorship, following my philosophy that ‘I could also be an entrepreneur, which may really feel lonely, however fortunately I’m not alone since I’ve by no means been afraid to ask—would you have the ability to give me slightly little bit of your time?’
Most significantly, I maintained my core energy: storytelling. Utilizing my filmmaking expertise to create compelling content material about PadsPass, together with demonstration movies, has been a ‘superpower’ that many startups lack. This genuine method helped us increase $355,000 in pre-seed funding and construct credibility within the pet tech area.
How do you keep motivated throughout powerful occasions or unsure intervals in your enterprise journey?
My motivation stems from a deep sense of goal rooted in my humanitarian background. Having witnessed the September 11 assaults as a highschool pupil simply 10 miles from Floor Zero, I discovered that ‘I turned a humanitarian on the day of 9/11’. This expertise taught me that significant work comes from serving to others by tough conditions.
Throughout difficult intervals, I return to the elemental drawback we’re fixing: stopping different pet mother and father from experiencing the trauma I confronted when Paddington was detained on the border.
Each time I hear from a veterinarian who says our platform makes their job ‘extraordinarily straightforward and stress-free’, or when our prototype efficiently helps one other household journey with their pet, I’m reminded why this work issues.
My expertise filming in over 40 nations, together with battle zones and refugee camps, taught me resilience and perspective. When startup challenges appear overwhelming, I keep in mind documenting tales of individuals overcoming far better obstacles. This world perspective retains me grounded and centered on the larger image.
I additionally preserve each day habits that maintain my power. Having filmed throughout time zones and continents, I discovered the significance of routine and self-care. Bodily train, staying interested by studying alternatives in each dialog, and sustaining connections with my community (and my canine) all contribute to my resilience.
The startup neighborhood has been extremely supportive. Being named ‘Finest New Pet Tech Startup in Bermuda of 2025’ and seeing our platform featured in aviation business conferences validates that we’re on the correct path. These exterior recognitions assist preserve momentum throughout inside doubts.
Lastly, I keep in mind that that is my second profession. Having efficiently navigated the aggressive movie business for over a decade, engaged on main productions and screening at Cannes, I do know I’ve the talents to adapt and overcome challenges. Entrepreneurship is simply one other type of storytelling—and that’s what I do finest.
What each day habits or routines contribute most to your productiveness and success as a founder?
My each day routine is constructed round three core rules discovered from my documentary filming profession: preparation, adaptability, and storytelling. Having coordinated journey logistics for 96 nations and managed advanced worldwide productions, I developed techniques that now serve my startup life.
I begin every day with a cup of specialty espresso from some nation I’ve seemingly visited and picked the beans up myself – I’ve been to probably the most notable espresso areas like Kafa in Ethiopia and Boquete in Panama. As an early riser, I verify my precedence listing of 50-60 ongoing subjects, points, challenges, and duties that want decision. This ranges from ’e mail X buyer’ to ‘work out subsequent 12 months’s product roadmap.’ This technique, tailored from profitable entrepreneurs, retains me centered on what strikes the enterprise ahead somewhat than getting misplaced within the noise. Similar to Alice from Alice In Wonderland, I can typically have six unattainable ideas earlier than breakfast. Staying centered helps me not find yourself with 42 unachievable duties every week.
Bodily health is non-negotiable. As somebody who believes ‘wholesome physique equals wholesome thoughts,’ I preserve each day train routines that clear my thoughts and supply the power wanted for lengthy startup days. This behavior was important throughout my filmmaking profession once I labored 16-hour days on units, and it’s equally essential now. This may be so simple as strolling my canine on the seashore with associates in Bermuda.
Studying is fixed. Having labored throughout numerous cultures and industries, I preserve curiosity in each dialog. Whether or not it was understanding Arabic to handle initiatives at Gamoteca or studying about rabies prevention schooling to change into a member of United Rabies, I deal with each interplay as a possibility to assemble insights that might profit PadsPass.
I prioritize relationship constructing by constant communication. My community from the movie business, humanitarian work, and startup ecosystem requires common upkeep by emails, calls, and in-person conferences. These relationships have been instrumental in our $355,000 funding spherical and ongoing partnerships.
Most significantly, I dedicate time to content material creation. Utilizing my filmmaking background to supply movies demonstrating PadsPass options has been a ‘superpower’ that differentiates us from different startups. This genuine storytelling method builds belief with our viewers and showcases our experience.
What’s been the simplest method so that you can purchase new prospects and develop your consumer base?
Content material advertising mixed with genuine storytelling has been our simplest buyer acquisition technique. My documentary background provides us a novel benefit—we don’t simply market a product, we inform compelling tales about actual pet journey experiences that resonate with our audience.
Our Yappy Hours and particularly our ‘Bermy Barkus’ parade occasions in Bermuda have been phenomenally profitable for neighborhood constructing. By internet hosting charity occasions for the SPCA and elevating funds for animal welfare, we create real connections with pet mother and father whereas demonstrating our dedication to animal advocacy. These occasions naturally generate word-of-mouth referrals and construct belief inside the pet neighborhood.
Partnership with veterinarians has been essential. Testimonials that our platform makes the worldwide well being certificates course of ‘extraordinarily straightforward and stress-free’ carries extra weight than any commercial. By offering free entry to veterinarians for well being file verification, we’re constructing relationships with the professionals pet mother and father belief most.
How do you measure success—personally and professionally—in your enterprise?
Success for me is measured by influence somewhat than simply metrics. Professionally, our major success indicator is stopping traumatic experiences just like the one I had with Pads. Each profitable pet arrival utilizing our platform—at present 12 out of 12 with zero stress or human error—represents a household that didn’t should endure what I skilled.
I additionally measure our success within the ‘by no means’ occasions that by no means occurred due to PadsPass: the canine that didn’t journey as a result of it wouldn’t have been capable of return residence with out a essential second rabies vaccination, or a pair of pups that will have had the identical destiny as a result of their vaccinations lapsed by a day. Catching these and stopping separations just like the one I skilled might be the most important measure of our success that goes unnoticed.
What advertising or branding technique has had probably the most influence on your enterprise progress?
Genuine storytelling rooted in private expertise has been our most impactful advertising technique. Not like conventional tech startups that lead with options and advantages, we lead with emotion and actual experiences—an method that comes naturally from my documentary filmmaking background. That’s to not say we don’t have a tremendous growth crew constructing the Digital Pet Passport!
Our model title ‘PadsPass’ itself tells a narrative. Named after my co-founder Paddington (Pads), it instantly communicates that this isn’t simply one other tech resolution—it’s constructed by somebody who lived the issue. This genuine origin story resonates deeply with pet mother and father who’ve confronted related journey challenges.
Are you able to share a mistake that taught you an vital lesson in entrepreneurship?
My largest mistake was perfectionism disguised as thoroughness, and it taught me the essential distinction between preparation and obsession. Throughout our early growth section, I spent monumental sweat fairness perfecting a selected characteristic of our prototype to deal with what I believed could be a serious regulatory change within the pet journey business.
I used to be so satisfied this modification was coming that I meticulously constructed our system round it, dedicating weeks of growth time and assets. The characteristic labored flawlessly—precisely as I had envisioned. Then, unexpectedly, the regulatory modifications had been rolled again, making that ‘excellent’ characteristic utterly ineffective.
Initially, I used to be devastated. This was peak perfectionist nightmare—all that work for nothing. However as an alternative of dwelling on the loss, I made a vital pivot. I turned our preparedness right into a complete public service announcement in regards to the proposed modifications and what they’d have meant for pet vacationers. This content material demonstrated our business experience and regulatory consciousness.
That pivot proved transformational. The general public service announcement caught the eye of somebody who turned a key investor. They had been impressed not by our technical perfection, however by our potential to adapt shortly and switch a setback into invaluable content material for the neighborhood.
This expertise taught me three essential classes: First, in startups, adaptability issues greater than perfection. The market modifications sooner than you may excellent any single characteristic. Second, failure typically accommodates the seeds of sudden alternative—however provided that you’re prepared to pivot shortly somewhat than mourning the misplaced work. Third, demonstrating experience by useful content material will be extra invaluable than demonstrating technical functionality.
The lesson essentially modified how I method product growth. Now, as an alternative of perfecting options in isolation, we continually validate with prospects and stay agile to regulatory and market modifications. This error reworked me from a perfectionist filmmaker into an adaptive entrepreneur—a change that has served PadsPass properly as we navigate the advanced, evolving pet journey panorama.
What recommendation would you give to somebody simply beginning out as a first-time entrepreneur?
Begin with an issue you’ve personally skilled and are captivated with fixing. My recommendation comes from transitioning from documentary filmmaking to tech entrepreneurship at almost 40—proof that it’s by no means too late to start.
First, embrace failure as schooling. As a recovering perfectionist, this was my hardest lesson. The startup world requires speedy iteration and studying from errors, not perfecting options in isolation. Each failed experiment teaches you one thing invaluable about your market, prospects, or product.
Second, leverage your present community relentlessly however authentically. Nearly everybody has potential to be a connection, and somebody they know could be your key introduction. Don’t dismiss anybody as a result of they’re not the rapid decision-maker you want. My movie business connections proved invaluable in sudden methods throughout our startup journey.
Third, develop monetary literacy early. I want I had change into ‘financially savvy—however savage’ sooner. Understanding each greenback’s influence on your enterprise empowers strategic planning and prevents pricey errors. Take accelerator packages or discover mentors who can train you enterprise fundamentals.
Fourth, preserve your distinctive strengths whereas studying new expertise. My storytelling background turned a ‘superpower’ in creating compelling content material for PadsPass. Don’t abandon what made you profitable—adapt it to your new enterprise.
Fifth, ask for assist with out disgrace. I discovered that ‘I could also be an entrepreneur, which may really feel lonely, however fortunately I’m not alone since I’ve by no means been afraid to ask—would you have the ability to give me slightly little bit of your time?’ Mentorship from folks even one step forward will be invaluable.
Sixth, keep adaptable. Nothing ever goes as deliberate in entrepreneurship. Construct techniques that may pivot shortly when market situations change. Our regulatory adaptation expertise taught me that flexibility typically issues greater than preliminary perfection.
Lastly, remedy issues you perceive deeply. Having traveled with my canine on over 100 flights to 11 nations gave me credibility and perception that purely market-research-based entrepreneurs would possibly lack. Private expertise creates genuine ardour that sustains you thru tough intervals.
How do you stability innovation and threat whereas making enterprise choices?
Balancing innovation and threat requires a framework rooted in calculated experimentation somewhat than blind risk-taking. My method combines documentary filmmaker’s analysis methodology with startup agility rules.
I begin with the ‘recognized unknowns’ versus ‘unknown unknowns’ framework. Having traveled to 96 nations and filmed in battle zones, I discovered to tell apart between manageable dangers and doubtlessly catastrophic ones. For PadsPass, regulatory compliance represents a ‘recognized unknown’—we are able to analysis and put together for modifications. Market acceptance represents extra of an ‘unknown unknown’—requiring experimental validation.
Our prototype testing exemplifies this stability. Relatively than launching broadly, we began with a managed market—journey between the US and Bermuda. This route supplied easy rules excellent for beta testing whereas limiting draw back threat. Our 12 out of 12 success charge validated our method earlier than increasing to extra advanced markets.
I apply the ‘reversible versus irreversible choices’ precept from Jeff Bezos. Reversible choices—like characteristic additions or advertising campaigns—will be made shortly with restricted threat. Irreversible choices—like regulatory commitments or main partnerships—require in depth analysis and session with our advisory crew.
Innovation occurs inside guardrails of regulatory compliance. Having earned IATA Stay Animal Rules certification and being a member of the British Veterinary Affiliation, I perceive the non-negotiable security necessities that should body any innovation. We innovate aggressively on person expertise and course of effectivity whereas sustaining strict adherence to animal security requirements.
Information drives our threat evaluation. Our veterinarian crew member Mariam Ferrer gives medical experience that grounds our improvements in medical actuality. When contemplating new options, we consider each market demand and veterinary feasibility to keep away from constructing options that may’t be safely applied.
I preserve an ‘experiment finances’—assets particularly allotted for testing new approaches with out jeopardizing core operations. This permits innovation with out betting the corporate on unproven ideas.
The secret is sustaining long-term imaginative and prescient whereas being tactical about execution. Our mission to remove human error in pet journey stays fixed, however our strategies evolve primarily based on market suggestions and regulatory modifications.
How do you construct and preserve a robust crew tradition or work atmosphere (if relevant)?
Constructing a robust crew tradition begins with a shared mission and complementary experience. Our crew tradition at PadsPass facilities on our core perception that ‘canines make people higher people’, which attracts individuals who share our ardour for animal welfare and journey accessibility.
I’ve discovered that distant crew tradition requires intentional design. With crew members throughout Bermuda, Spain, and the US, we are able to’t depend on informal workplace interactions. As a substitute, we create structured alternatives for connection and collaboration. Our crew conferences at all times start with private check-ins earlier than diving into enterprise issues.
Experience range strengthens our tradition. Our veterinarian Mariam Ferrer brings medical credibility, our Chief Buyer Expertise Officer Aliza Bodzin contributes specialised pet journey consultancy data, and our Chief Model Officer Heather Kent provides writing and journalism experience. Every particular person’s distinctive background creates studying alternatives for all the crew.
Transparency builds belief, particularly in a startup atmosphere. Drawing from my humanitarian work the place I witnessed how ‘lack of transparency’ can destroy organizations, I preserve open communication about our challenges, successes, and strategic choices. Our crew is aware of precisely the place we stand financially and operationally.
Recognition issues greater than titles. I have a good time crew members’ contributions publicly. When Mariam publishes articles on pet conduct or after we obtain profitable buyer outcomes, these wins are shared and celebrated throughout our channels.
Skilled growth funding demonstrates dedication to crew progress. Supporting crew members’ continued schooling—whether or not it’s conferences, certifications, or ability growth—reveals we’re invested of their long-term success, not simply rapid productiveness.
Our ‘lean however mighty’ method means everybody’s contribution immediately impacts our success. This creates pure accountability and engagement since every particular person sees how their work interprets to buyer outcomes.
Values alignment guides hiring choices. We search for individuals who display curiosity, adaptability, and real look after animal welfare—qualities that may’t be taught however are important for our mission-driven tradition.
What are the highest 5 belongings you imagine each entrepreneur wants to beat self-doubt and construct confidence?
1. Construct Experience By Direct Expertise
Confidence comes from figuring out you’ve personally lived the issue you’re fixing. Having traveled with canines on over 100 flights by 11 nations, I communicate with authority about pet journey challenges that purely research-based entrepreneurs can’t match. Each dialog with struggling pet mother and father reinforces that I perceive their ache level viscerally. This deep expertise turns into unshakeable confidence when traders or critics query our market understanding.
2. Create Methods for Small Wins
Self-doubt thrives in chaos, so I create techniques that generate constant progress. My each day listing of 50-60 ongoing gadgets ensures I’m at all times engaging in one thing significant, even on tough days. These measurable victories construct momentum that counters the pure startup emotional rollercoaster.
3. Search Mentorship from Individuals One Step Forward
Connecting with founders who’ve efficiently navigated related challenges gives perspective and sensible recommendation. Their tales remind me that everybody faces doubt—success comes from persistence, not the absence of worry.
4. Develop Exterior Validation Methods
Recognition by the World Aviation Pageant as a featured startup and finishing the Bermuda Ignite Accelerator Program gives goal proof of progress. These exterior confirmations counter inside doubt with factual proof of worth creation.
5. Keep Bodily and Psychological Well being Practices
Entrepreneurial confidence requires sustainable power. My documentary filming profession taught me that bodily health and psychological readability are non-negotiable. Common train, sufficient sleep, and stress administration stop the bodily signs of tension that may set off self-doubt. When my physique feels robust and my thoughts is evident, I can consider challenges objectively somewhat than emotionally.
For those who could lead on or encourage a worldwide motion to make an influence, what would it not be and why?
I’d lead a worldwide motion to determine Common Digital Well being and Identification Verification Requirements Throughout Borders—making a unified, safe system the place well being and id credentials are immediately recognizable and verifiable worldwide.
This motion emerged from my private expertise with worldwide pet journey, but in addition in my documentary work on my newest movie in Syria the place I witnessed firsthand how fragmented, paper-based techniques create pointless obstacles and trauma for households. The imaginative and prescient extends far past pet journey to handle a basic problem of our globalized world: the shortage of interoperable digital id and well being verification techniques throughout borders.
At present, we stay in a world the place over 4 million pets journey by air yearly, hundreds of thousands of individuals cross borders for work, schooling, healthcare, and household emergencies, but our verification techniques stay fragmented and error-prone. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted these gaps when nations struggled to confirm vaccination standing and take a look at outcomes throughout borders, resulting in confusion, delays, and separation of households.
My expertise touring with canines on over 100 flights to 11 nations taught me that expertise can remove human error in advanced worldwide necessities. When utilized globally, this similar precept might stop numerous separations, scale back fraud, allow financial mobility, and strengthen worldwide cooperation.
What’s a quote, motto, or philosophy that you just stay by as a enterprise chief?
“Once you’re drained, be taught to relaxation, not to surrender.”
This quote by Banksy has change into my guiding philosophy all through my entrepreneurial journey with PadsPass. As somebody who transitioned from documentary filmmaking to tech entrepreneurship, I’ve discovered that the calls for of constructing a startup will be overwhelming—particularly if you’re fixing advanced issues within the pet journey business that have an effect on 4 million pets yearly.
As a recovering perfectionist who discovered to embrace the startup mentality of ‘fail quick and iterate,’ this quote jogs my memory that each entrepreneur wants intervals of reflection and restoration. It’s throughout these relaxation intervals that breakthrough insights typically emerge, whether or not it’s recognizing a brand new market alternative or discovering inventive options to regulatory challenges.
This philosophy additionally extends to how we construct PadsPass’ firm tradition. We acknowledge that our distant crew members throughout Bermuda, Spain, and the US want sustainable work practices to ship their finest contributions to our mission of creating people higher people by their relationships with canines.
How can our readers or listeners join with you and comply with your journey on-line?
I recurrently communicate on podcasts, at conferences, give talks, and take part in packages like SheSpeaks at Bermuda Excessive College, sharing insights about feminine entrepreneurship and pet tech innovation. For those who’re taken with having me communicate, ship me an email.
Comply with PadsPass on LinkedIn, the place we recurrently share articles and interviews to publications offering thought management on worldwide pet journey rules and startup growth. Go to our web site with a brand new re-design coming quickly, forward of launch at Padspass.com.
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