COASTAL PINES K9
Expert Dog Training in South Jersey
Building Unbreakable Bonds, One Paw At A Time
675 Stokes Rd, Medford, NJ 08055

Tom Larity, Owner
With a lifelong love for dogs and a deep passion for canine behavior, Tom founded
Coastal Pines K9 to help dogs and owners build stronger, more fulfilling relationships.
Starting in Ocean County and now based in Burlington County, Tom has earned
a reputation for compassionate, effective training. He is committed to helping
all dog breeds and sizes thrive through lasting, positive results.

In the beginning, what motivated you to become an entrepreneur?
 I wanted to create a business that combined my love for dogs with my entrepreneurial drive — a place where I could help animals, support owners, and be in control of my own path in life and business.
 
What’s the single most important reason for your success?
My success comes from truly caring, not just about training dogs, but about transforming the lives of both pets and their people through structure, quality and consistency.
 
What’s the biggest thing you struggle with as an entrepreneur?
The hardest part isn’t training dogs or managing employees . It’s juggling everything else that comes with being a business owner, from marketing to managing time to making space for growth without burning out and ensuring that I create a work- life balance that keeps my family the top priority.
 
How is running a successful business different than what you thought it would be?
I thought running a successful dog training business meant being the best trainer I could be, but I’ve learned that success really comes from being the best communicator, business owner, and leader I can be for myself as well as my team. 
 
What entrepreneurial hacks have you developed to stay focused and productive in your day-to-day?
I stay focused by creating structure and guidelines in a schedule that’s always changing ,juggling tasks, automating what I can, and protecting my energy like it’s part of the business plan.
 
How would you like people to remember you and your company?
I want people to remember me and my dog training company as compassionate, knowledgeable, and deeply committed to improving the bond between dogs and their people. I hope they think of us not just as trainers, but as partners in their journey, the ones who brought patience when things felt frustrating, clarity when things were confusing, and real change when things felt impossible. I want every client to walk away feeling more confident, more connected, and more inspired to continue growing with their dog — knowing we always put the well-being of both human and canine first.

Looking back, what’s one thing you wish you understood about entrepreneurship before you ever got started?
I wish I had truly understood that entrepreneurship isn’t just about doing what you love but rather it’s about learning to wear every hat, even the ones that don’t fit at first. I started out thinking, ‘I just want to train dogs and help people,’ but quickly realized I also had to become a marketer, a bookkeeper, a social media manager, a customer service rep, and a leader. The emotional rollercoaster is real — wins are incredible, but the stress is yours alone too. Slow growth is better than no growth.
 
If you could offer a first-time entrepreneur only one piece of advice, what would it be?
There is no right time to start, if you wait for the perfect moment, you may miss your opportunity.
 
What do you want to be when you grow up? 
I just want to be a good person, it seems as though it's a very difficult characteristic to find in people these days.
 
What’s your greatest fear as an entrepreneur?
Building a large business and having it fail.
 
How do you think being an entrepreneur has turned you into a better person?
Entrepreneurship has taught me resilience in a way nothing else could. Facing constant challenges and uncertainties forced me to become more patient, adaptable, and confident in my decisions, even when I don’t have all the answers. It’s made me more empathetic because I’m constantly working with people, understanding their needs and struggles, and helping them solve problems.
I’ve also become better at balancing vision with practicality, learning to celebrate small wins and stay grounded when things don’t go as planned. Ultimately, it’s made me more self-aware and courageous, pushing me to grow not just as a business owner, but as a human.

Semper Fidelis
What inspired you to create your products/services?
WE needed to support our family member and other heros deployed in harms way.
Can you share any customer testimonials or success stories related to your products/services?
We have been recognized by the White House, Congress, The Food Network and several Military bases

Jims Jarhead Jerky is available at several local stores and on line at www.JimsJarheadJerky.com and on Facebook!