Dr. Laura Catena
Founder & President of The ArmOR Hand Animal Handling Gloves
What inspired you to start your business?
Early in my veterinary career, I was injured by a cat bite on my hand. Because of my injury, I had extensive surgery as the infection had spread to the joints of my hand. I then had months of physical therapy to regain the use of my hand. The idea for ArmOR Hand was because of my injury. I wanted a product that all animal caregivers could use, when needed, to protect themselves.
What challenges have you faced as a woman entrepreneur and how did you overcome them?
Learning the business aspect of my job has been challenging, yet rewarding. When you own your own business, it can be difficult to find help that cares as much about the business as you do. As a result, what worked for me, was running as much as the business that I possibly could for as long as I could, and then when needed found the right help.
What three traits define you?
Hard-working, organized, and creative.
As a business owner, what keeps you up at night?
I’ve realized as a small business owner the job truly is a 24-hour job. However, what I’m currently trying to incorporate is to make sure that I am able to have time off and away from work. This has been challenging for me and is a work in progress, but at night - even late hours, I find myself trying to meet customer needs and think of ways to improve the business. Rest is vital, important, and helps creativity, so it’s definitely needed and something I’m trying to incorporate more.
How do you define success?
I define success as helping others and making a difference. After my injury, I became aware of the importance of proper safety tools in veterinary medicine. The brand of ArmOR Hand extends now beyond veterinary medicine, which I am very grateful for. ArmOR Hand is making a huge impact on wildlife rescues, and I’m thrilled that globally we are making a difference to protect human health and to care for animals.
What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I’ve received is something that inherently I’ve tried to follow in all areas of my life - to trust your intuition and to make decisions not on what people advise you to do but on what feels right for you.
What are you reading or listening to now?
RIght now I’m reading a book by James Clear. Some of my favorite authors are Eckhart Tolle and Timber Hawkeye.
What do you like about your workspace?
I love that my work space is uncluttered. I do my best work when clutter is minimal and the space is calm and comforting.
Fill in the blank:
When I face a challenge, I… try to take one breath at a time.
If I could go back in time, I would tell myself… try to not stress, it will all be ok.
The one thing I couldn’t live without is… my children.
By this time next year, I will be… returning from Mexico!
To get my creative juices flowing, I… pause and am still.
The ArmOR Hand Animal Handling Gloves
Injuries from animals are painful, expensive, and traumatic. ArmOR Hand Gloves are uniquely crafted animal gloves that offer superior flexibility, low stress handling, and reinforced bite protection. ArmOR Hand Gloves are the ONLY veterinarian-designed and developed animal handling glove available.
