Today we’d like to introduce you to Carolyn “Cat” Dooley.
Hi Carolyn “Cat”, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey as a business owner has been shaped by resilience, faith, hard work, creativity, and a genuine desire to serve others.
I have always had an entrepreneurial mindset. I enjoy seeing possibilities where others may see challenges, and I have never been afraid to work hard, learn as I go, and build something from the ground up. Over the years, that mindset has led me into several different industries, each one teaching me something new about leadership, service, perseverance, and the importance of relationships.
Today, I am the owner of Monkeys On The Run, a full-service print, branding, apparel, signage, and vehicle wrap company. What began as a business has grown into something far more meaningful to me. We have had the opportunity to work alongside local businesses, schools, athletic programs, nonprofit organizations, and community groups, helping them bring their ideas to life while also investing back into the community that has supported us.
One of the most meaningful moments in my professional journey was being recognized as the Union County Chamber’s 2025 Business of the Year. That honor represented far more than business growth or financial success. To me, it reflected the relationships we have built, the trust our customers have placed in us, and the impact a small local business can have when it chooses to lead with service, generosity, and community involvement.
My entrepreneurial journey has continued to grow beyond Monkeys On The Run. I am also the owner of Cat’s Closet and co-owner and CEO of Rob’s Speedy Delivery alongside my husband, Rob. While each business serves a different purpose, they are all rooted in the same values: hard work, dependability, innovation, customer service, and a commitment to doing business with integrity.
My personal journey has played an equally important role in shaping the leader I am today. Several years ago, I made the decision to completely change my health and my life. At my highest weight, I was 378 pounds. Through bariatric surgery, major lifestyle changes, determination, and a tremendous amount of personal work, I have lost more than 240 pounds.
That journey was about so much more than a number on a scale. It taught me discipline, patience, resilience, and the importance of continuing to show up for yourself even when progress feels slow. There were victories, setbacks, difficult seasons, and moments when I had to dig deeper than I thought I could. Those lessons have carried directly into the way I lead my businesses today. I know firsthand that transformation does not happen overnight, and neither does success. Both require consistency, courage, and the willingness to keep moving forward.
My faith is also at the center of who I am and how I try to live my life. I believe God has opened doors, carried me through difficult seasons, placed the right people in my path, and given me opportunities to use what I have been blessed with to help others. My faith reminds me to lead with grace, generosity, humility, and integrity. It also keeps me grounded in the belief that success means very little if we are not using it to serve others and make a positive difference.
Family is another incredibly important part of my life. My husband, Rob, is not only my partner in life but also my partner in business, and we have built much of this journey together. And anyone who knows me knows that my family also includes a whole lot of four-legged children. My fur babies are a huge part of my world. They bring joy, chaos, unconditional love, and plenty of personality into our home. They are a daily reminder to slow down, laugh often, and appreciate the simple things in life.
I believe leadership is not about a title. It is about responsibility. It means being willing to make difficult decisions, support the people around you, continue learning, and remain steady when circumstances are uncertain. It is showing up when things are difficult and understanding that the way you treat people will always matter more than the position you hold.
Like most entrepreneurs, my path has not been without challenges. There have been setbacks, long days, difficult decisions, health struggles, and moments that required me to completely rethink my direction. Those experiences have shaped me just as much as the successes. They have taught me that resilience is one of the greatest assets a person can have.
I have also learned that true success is about far more than revenue, growth, awards, or recognition. Success is creating opportunities for others. It is supporting a local school or organization, helping another small business grow, providing jobs, strengthening your community, being present for the people you love, and building something that positively impacts the lives around you.
I am incredibly proud of how far I have come, both personally and professionally, but I also know my story is still being written. There is always another level to reach, another lesson to learn, another person to encourage, and another opportunity to make a difference.
If my journey can inspire someone else, I hope it reminds them that where you start does not determine where you finish. Your life can change. Your business can grow. You can overcome things you once thought were impossible. Stay faithful, stay resilient, surround yourself with good people, work hard, and never underestimate what can happen when you are willing to believe in the possibility of something better.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There have been times in business when things simply did not go according to plan. I have had to pivot, make hard financial choices, navigate staffing challenges, deal with mistakes, and learn lessons the expensive way. Entrepreneurship can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also be humbling. Sometimes the best growth comes from the moments you would never choose for yourself.
As you know, we’re big fans of Monkeys On The Run . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Monkeys On The Run is the heart of my entrepreneurial journey.
Our services include custom vehicle wraps, signs, banners, decals, window graphics, apparel, embroidery, DTF printing, business cards, logo design, awards, and much more. What sets us apart is that we are not simply producing products — we are helping people build brands, promote businesses, celebrate milestones, and bring their vision to life.
We have built our reputation on creativity, quality, customer service, and being willing to think outside the box. I want our customers to feel like they can walk in with a rough idea and trust us to help turn it into something professional, eye-catching, and uniquely theirs.
One of the things I am most proud of is the relationship Monkeys On The Run has built with our community. We work closely with local schools, athletic programs, nonprofits, community organizations, and other small businesses. Being recognized as the Union County Chamber’s 2025 Business of the Year was incredibly meaningful because it represented not only the growth of our company, but the trust and support of the community we serve.
Our brand has always had a little personality, too. We are creative, bold, hardworking, and not afraid to have fun. Our philosophy is simple: “Print it, press it, wrap it, stitch it — we cover all your assets.” We want people to know that when they come to us, they are getting a local company that genuinely cares about the success of their project.
More recently, I expanded my entrepreneurial journey with Cat’s Closet, a lingerie boutique created to offer women something fun, confident, and a little unexpected. Cat’s Closet carries lingerie and specialty pieces in an environment that is welcoming, playful, and designed to help women feel comfortable and confident shopping for themselves.
Cat’s Closet is very different from Monkeys On The Run, but the heart behind both businesses is the same. I love creating experiences, helping people feel seen, and building brands that have personality.
What I am most proud of across both businesses is that they feel authentic to who I am. Neither brand is meant to blend in. They are creative, community-minded, a little bold, and built around making people feel good about what they are purchasing and who they are supporting.
What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is faith, family, community, and making a positive impact with the life and opportunities I have been given.
My faith keeps me grounded and reminds me that success is about more than business growth, recognition, or financial achievement. It is about how you treat people, how you show up during difficult seasons, and whether you use your gifts and resources to help others.
My husband, my family, and of course my fur babies are also at the center of my world. They remind me why I work hard and why balance matters.
Community is incredibly important to me as well. I am proud to support local schools, organizations, nonprofits, and other small businesses whenever I can. I believe strong communities are built when people choose to invest in one another.
At the end of the day, I want to be remembered not only for the businesses I built, but for the people I encouraged, the opportunities I created, and the difference I made along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.monkeysontherun.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19iuYuBdyD/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-dooley-43674279?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios
