Career Epidemiologist Finds ‘Second Act’ With Pet Wants Franchise in Plano, Texas

After three decades in epidemiology, Sharmeen Jilla had made major achievements in her career and began to feel that her opportunities for growth were slowing down. As she thought about what she could take on as her “second act,” she knew franchising would offer her the challenge and learning opportunities she desired without requiring her to start something from the ground up.

An animal lover, Jilla had used and loved Pet Wants food in the past and realized the 140-plus-unit pet health and wellness franchise could be the fit for her. In December 2023, after extensive research and collaboration with her husband, Jilla opened her Pet Wants franchise in Plano, Texas. She is already planning future expansion with the brand.

1851 Franchise spoke with Jilla to learn more about her journey to franchising and plans for the future.

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Jilla: I’m an epidemiologist, so I worked in infectious diseases healthcare. For the last 30 years, I’ve done that. I was born in India and went to London, Singapore, Boston, New York and Dallas. My last job was at a major healthcare system in Texas, and I helped put out the app that people use for telehealth. But I started getting antsy because I felt like I had maxed out. I was seeing younger people moving up, and I realized that I wasn’t learning anything new. I wanted to do something else that would allow me to experience that kind of growth again.

1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?

Jilla: My husband is in finance, and his mindset is, “Why reinvent the wheel?” If I were starting this in my 20s, I’d be more likely to want to start from scratch and grind it out, but after a decades-long career, I didn’t want to come into this at ground zero. I knew that, with a franchise, I’d get that support. That’s what I’m paying for.

I want people to know that, even though a franchise does come with support, you can’t hand over the money and expect everything to happen. You have to be proactive, initiate support and be willing to think about what will be best for your business in your community.

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

Jilla: I’m such an animal lover, and we had actually used and loved Pet Wants food. I had friends who used it and loved it.

The business also made financial sense because food is something that can be scaled and subscribed to, and it’s a higher-ticket item. It’s not like we’re selling a small product that we’d need to sell millions of each month to make any money with.

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth? 

Jilla: We have goals every month, and we’ve hit them (or come close) each month so far, but we aren’t looking to replace income for the first two years. We have two territories, and we might eventually add another store, so we’re trying to do this sustainably. I want this to be a legacy and something that I can leave my kids.

1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?

Jilla: This is my second act in life. I never in my wildest dreams thought I would do this. I was in healthcare just plodding along. But now, my kids have left home, and this has given me new life. It's given me something to learn. A lot of my friends are planning vacations and talking about retirement, and I’m working on my business. It’s an interesting position to be in, but I’ve been able to inspire friends and family, which has been nice. It’s also an asset to not be doing this alone; having my husband as a partner has been very valuable.

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?

Jilla: Really think about your market and potential locations as you do research. Every market is a little bit different, and it’s important that you find a concept and location that will work well for the customer base you have access to. 

Once you start, be proactive about reaching out for help. Don’t be afraid to ask questions of your fellow owners or the corporate team.

ABOUT PET WANTS:

Pet Wants is a pet health and wellness company that strives to improve the nutrition, health, vitality, and well-being of pets. Founded in 2010, the brand’s specially crafted, private-label pet food formulas are made in small batches with fresh, natural ingredients complete with vitamins and minerals for a complete and balanced diet in every bowl, all made in the USA. Pet Wants has set a new standard in what you should expect in your pet food through their 140+ locations across the United States. To learn more about Pet Wants, visit https://www.petwants.com/ or follow Pet Wants on LinkedIn, @petwantsusa on Facebook, @petwants on Twitter and Instagram.