Lea Izquierdo

Hey, I’m Lea, co-founder and COO of Puppy Sphere, the world’s leading puppy therapy brand.In the last four years, we’ve scaled from one Toronto pop-up to 16 studios across North America, built an 8-figure business, and hired a team of 250+, all bootstrapped.But Puppy Sphere didn’t start with some grand business plan. I was juggling a 9–5 in fintech, running a candle business, and waitressing on the side, but deep down, I knew the corporate ladder wasn’t for me.I loved building, tackling problems from new angles, testing ideas, moving fast, and creating things people cared about. And I loved my dog, Nala. So when I met Francesca (my now best friend and co-founder) at a dog park, I found the rare kind of partner who matched my vision and momentum. We took a chance on something everyone told us wouldn’t work: dog-centric events. We started hosting some of the boldest, most fun experiences, from singles nights and club nights to pet-friendly music festivals.Then came our first Puppy Yoga class, and everything clicked. People left smiling and genuinely recharged. Not just from movement, but from the serotonin and oxytocin boost that comes with puppy cuddles. The pups loved it too, socializing, exploring, and building confidence in a safe space. It wasn’t just fun. It was therapeutic.This mission became even more personal after I lost my sister to suicide. It forced me to rethink everything I thought I knew about mental health, especially for the people who seem “fine” on the outside but are quietly struggling. The ones who may never walk into a therapist’s office but still need a place to unwind and reconnect. Puppy Sphere is that place. Uplifting, judgment-free, and evidence-based.As COO, I lead our operations and expansion: entering new markets, designing our team org, and building the systems that help us scale. My job is to make sure we grow fast without losing the quality or culture that makes us different.Beyond the business, I’m someone who needs Latin music to start the day before the chaos kicks in. I collect tiny, cute trinkets that make no sense to anyone but me. And after a long day of work, you’ll probably find me on a dance floor at 2 a.m., surrounded by friends, sweating it out and accidentally turning it into my most effective networking strategy.Visit thepuppysphere.com to learn more or book a class.Want to chat about entrepreneurship, scaling bold ideas, or redefining what mental health support looks like? Always down to connect. DM me.