SBA’s 2025 Young Entrepreneur of the Year

New Hampshire is known for its entrepreneurial spirit, and the rise in the number of young entrepreneurs is a clear indication that entrepreneurship will remain robust in the Granite State. More and more young people are utilizing their passion, innovative ideas, and desire to make a positive impact in their communities to create their version of the American dream. Sabrina MacDowell is a perfect example of a young entrepreneur creating her pathway to success. MacDowell, 29, owner and founder of Pampered Pup, LLC, has been awarded the NH Small Business Administration’s 2025 Young Entrepreneur of the Year award, recognizing her for building a thriving business dedicated to pet care and creating a home away from home for pets.

From a young age, MacDowell dreamed of becoming both a business owner and a mother. Growing up modestly with a single mom, she learned critical skills and began building the determination that has fueled her success. Her passion for animals led to working in the animal care industry at just 16 years old, where she met her husband, Brad, a steadfast supporter of her ambitious dreams. With a bachelor’s degree in business and extensive experience in daycare, boarding facilities, animal hospitals, and pet stores, MacDowell cultivated a diverse skill set.

Hard work, support from her family, and guidance from SCORE advisors all contributed to the transformation of her vision into reality. With the assistance of SCORE, she successfully navigated the challenges of purchasing and renovating her facility into a state-of-the-art animal care center, utilizing an SBA 7 (a) loan to provide the needed financing.

Pampered Pup focuses on individualized care for each pet while fostering a positive work environment for its 14 employees. MacDowell and her staff rely on strong core values in their daily work with an emphasis on integrity, service to the community, and continuous improvement. She is now exploring expansion opportunities and adding additional locations while balancing family life with her husband and three sons.

MacDowell finds joy in outdoor activities like gardening, raising chickens, and spending time with her four dogs. In her spare time, she enjoys writing and is working on her first novel. In addition, she volunteers by mentoring future workforce members in the pet care industry and supports her community by raising money for various causes.

A highlight of her career was being invited to speak as a panelist at the Women’s Business Conference on “Women’s Success Stories.”

“This recognition confirms that every difficult choice and all the long days were worth it, for both the growth of Pampered Pup and my journey as an entrepreneur. I am deeply honored to have my hard work recognized,” said Sabrina MacDowell.