Spotlight On Claire Rogers

I’d been visiting Palm Springs since the mid-90s and always felt a deep connection to the area. I promised myself that one day, I’d live in California — and specifically, in Palm Springs. After 18 months of isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic, I took the disruption as an opportunity to reevaluate my life. I made the decision to follow my dreams and finally made the move.

Absolutely. I’ve loved animals for as long as I can remember — since childhood, really.

I visited a cat café in Charleston, South Carolina in 2019 and was immediately enthralled by the concept. I remember feeling envious of the owner — she had created a life doing something meaningful and joyful every day: caring for rescue cats. That visit planted the seed.

We typically house around twelve cats, though we’ve taken in more during times when our partner, the Palm Springs Animal Shelter, is over capacity.

Guests book a session in the cat lounge to spend time with the cats. I speak with each potential adopter to understand what they’re looking for, then offer guidance on which cat might be the right fit. The process involves a one-page application, which we handle on behalf of the Palm Springs Animal Shelter. We collect the shelter’s adoption fee, submit all paperwork, and the adopter gets to take their new furry family member home directly from Frisky Business.

One of my favorite stories is about Socksillini (pictured), a cat considered unadoptable due to his fractious temperament. He had been a long-term resident at the shelter before coming to Frisky Business. Over seven months, we helped him become social and affectionate. Eventually, one of our regular guests adopted him — a true transformation story.

Yes — Monty (pictured)! He was our former CFO (Chief Feline Officer) and a bit of a rebel. He once pulled down the screen doors, escaped the lounge in the middle of the night twice, and even set off the motion sensors — which resulted in police being called. Despite his antics, he had an undeniable bond with me, so I adopted him a year ago. He’s now living his best life at home.

Absolutely. Our Great Catsby Book Club meets monthly to discuss that month’s book and spend time with the cats. It’s grown into a tight-knit group of regulars who’ve been showing up consistently for two years.

Then there’s our cat-assisted Pawcatso Paint Party, which is both playful and interactive. Each guest receives an 8×10 canvas, colorful paints, and step-by-step instructions to create a “blank masterpiece.”

Here’s how it works:

1. You paint a base layer.

2. We seal your canvas in a thick ziplock bag.

3. Then it goes onto the cat lounge floor — with a sprinkle of catnip.

The cats do the rest, pawing and rolling across your artwork to create a one-of-a-kind abstract meow-sterpiece. Every guest leaves with a unique souvenir and a story that never fails to spark joy.

After 20 years in corporate life, something always felt like it was missing — it lacked soul. When I created Frisky Business, I knew I wanted to build something rooted in community, compassion, and service. My motto is: “Serve first, and the money will follow.” That philosophy has guided everything we do, from our Pay-It-Forward wall to our community cat food pantry to becoming a Certified Neurodiverse Workplace.

Vienna coffee and a ginger cookie.

Without a doubt — the community. It’s not just something we talk about; it’s the heart of Frisky Business. Over 50% of our customers are locals and regulars who treat the café like a second home. They don’t just come for the cats or the coffee — they come for each other. It’s become a place where people share stories, exchange advice, support one another, and build genuine friendships.

A beautiful example of this is our hospice cat, Percy (pictured). He lives at Frisky Business and requires medication three times a day, every single day — even on days when we’re closed. Percy takes his medicine hidden in Churu treats, and thanks to the generosity of the local community, we’ve never run short. People regularly drop off Churus just for him. We even have volunteers who step in to help administer his medication, ensuring he receives the care he needs.

It’s moments like these — when the community shows up not just for the café, but for a single cat’s wellbeing — that remind me why we do what we do. The love here is real, and that’s the most rewarding part of all.

Serve first and the money will follow. And above all — never give up. There will be setbacks and red tape. But don’t let that dissuade you. Keep going, keep going, and keep going. It will work out in the end. Don’t quit 6 feet from gold.

Sunrises — waking up to the palm trees and the sunshine every morning is magical.

Shrimp Scampi at Sammy G’s and a basket of warm sourdough bread. (Pictured – Sammy G’s main dining room.)

Gabino’s Creperie in Palm Springs and Indio (pictured) is a favorite. And for outdoor adventure — hiking from the top of the Palm Springs Tram to Idyllwild is absolutely breathtaking. It’s a six-hour hike, but worth every step.