Sharilynn Kagey has always been passionate about her pets. After more than a decade in education, she pivoted to hold multiple jobs in the (human) wellness space. When she decided she wanted to build something for herself, Sharilynn found Pet Wants, the growing pet nutrition franchise, and was excited about the opportunity to translate her passion for wellness to the animal world. Launching the business with her husband, Jeff, Sharilynn has already begun serving the Texoma community through her mobile business.
Now, the pair are searching for the perfect brick-and-mortar spot to establish their first location. With plans to expand up to three stores, Jeff and Sharilynn are committed to providing fresh, high-quality pet food, treats, chews, and personalized service to every customer they meet.
The Kageys took the time to chat with 1851 Franchise to discuss all of this and more. Here’s what they had to say:
1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?
Sharilynn Kagey: Before franchising, I was a teacher for 13 years and then a personal trainer for a few years. Eventually, I worked as an office manager for a functional medicine nurse practitioner. My career was always focused on helping people, and a lot of it centered around helping people with their wellness. I started to feel like I wanted to do something different. Franchising gave us a way to do something we could be passionate about as a family while also taking control of our destiny.
Jeff Kagey: I’ve had a long history in the financial services world, and I continue to do that. Right now, I’m serving as behind-the-scenes support for Sharilynn, but we found our way to the business because we wanted to do something together that connected with our love for animals. After looking at various franchise opportunities, we realized Pet Wants aligned with our vision of connecting with our community and providing personal service being mindful that customers have a choice. We could see how passionate the brand was about quality, and that was something we knew we could stand behind.
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?
Sharilynn: I didn’t realize just how varied the franchise industry was. I always thought of something very cookie-cutter, like McDonald’s. Once I learned about the benefits of franchising, knowing that the franchisor has already done all their research, I was excited about the prospect. I think people should know that investing in a franchise gives you an opportunity to become known in your community. People will know, “Oh, that’s Pet Wants!” But they’ll also know, “That’s Jeff and Sharilynn!” It’s not a sterile, personality-free business just because you are a part of a franchise system.
Jeff: Franchising has a reputation of being rigid — a baked-in formula you have to follow with no space for creativity or lean into what the local market may need or ask for. But once we got into it, I realized how much flexibility there can be within a well-structured system. Pet Wants provides a lot of the tools we need, but it’s up to us to build relationships and create a unique positive experience for our customers.
1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?
Sharilynn: We were drawn to Pet Wants because of their focus on quality, fresh ingredients for pets. We knew that we could feel good about what we were offering to pet owners. It’s also exciting to be part of a brand that values personalized service. We’re not just selling pet food; we’re building relationships with our customers and their pets and really making an impact on their lives.
1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?
Jeff: Our immediate goal is intentional growth while concurrently finding the right location for our first storefront. I’m looking forward to the real estate and construction aspect as that’s something I do every day in my corporate role.
Sharilynn: We really want to establish ourselves as a trusted name in Sherman and throughout the Texoma area when it comes to pet nutrition, potentially getting to a place where we could open multiple stores in our territory. Beyond opening more stores, I want to make sure we’re known for our customer service — being there to offer advice and support to local pet owners. I’m so excited to contribute to pets having optimal lives. Not just trudging through, but actually feeling great, having energy and enjoying themselves well into their senior years.
1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?
Sharilynn: I am so excited about the free delivery and education aspects of the business. We can schedule consultations with pet parents to talk about what’s going on, and we can work hand-in-hand with a vet to add a probiotic or change food to address a health concern. That’s something that makes us very unique compared to other big box stores, and it’s one of the things I’m most excited about with this business.
1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?
Jeff: My advice would be to find a brand that aligns with your personal values and do your research. Don’t trust everything you hear, do your own due diligence checking multiple sources. You have to do everything you can to make sure you feel comfortable with the path that lies ahead of you. I advise considering overfunding your business during the startup phase of business ownership and ensuring you have the capital to support the business during the early years to ensure the business is IN business for the long term.
Sharilynn: I’d add that you should go into franchising with an open mind and a willingness to learn. There’s a lot of support, but you still have to put in the work and dedication. Don’t be afraid to reach out to other franchisees and ask questions — they’ve been where you are, and their insights can be really valuable.
It’s important to find something that will feed your soul. Make sure you’re getting into business with a brand that truly is a good match.
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.
Franchisee Stories
Sharilynn Kagey has always had a passion for nutrition and wellness. When she and her husband, Jeff, decided to start their own business, the pet nutrition franchise seemed like the perfect fit.
Sharilynn Kagey has always been passionate about her pets. After more than a decade in education, she pivoted to hold multiple jobs in the (human) wellness space. When she decided she wanted to build something for herself, Sharilynn found Pet Wants, the growing pet nutrition franchise, and was excited about the opportunity to translate her passion for wellness to the animal world. Launching the business with her husband, Jeff, Sharilynn has already begun serving the Texoma community through her mobile business.
Now, the pair are searching for the perfect brick-and-mortar spot to establish their first location. With plans to expand up to three stores, Jeff and Sharilynn are committed to providing fresh, high-quality pet food, treats, chews, and personalized service to every customer they meet.
The Kageys took the time to chat with 1851 Franchise to discuss all of this and more. Here’s what they had to say:
1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?
Sharilynn Kagey: Before franchising, I was a teacher for 13 years and then a personal trainer for a few years. Eventually, I worked as an office manager for a functional medicine nurse practitioner. My career was always focused on helping people, and a lot of it centered around helping people with their wellness. I started to feel like I wanted to do something different. Franchising gave us a way to do something we could be passionate about as a family while also taking control of our destiny.
Jeff Kagey: I’ve had a long history in the financial services world, and I continue to do that. Right now, I’m serving as behind-the-scenes support for Sharilynn, but we found our way to the business because we wanted to do something together that connected with our love for animals. After looking at various franchise opportunities, we realized Pet Wants aligned with our vision of connecting with our community and providing personal service being mindful that customers have a choice. We could see how passionate the brand was about quality, and that was something we knew we could stand behind.
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?
Sharilynn: I didn’t realize just how varied the franchise industry was. I always thought of something very cookie-cutter, like McDonald’s. Once I learned about the benefits of franchising, knowing that the franchisor has already done all their research, I was excited about the prospect. I think people should know that investing in a franchise gives you an opportunity to become known in your community. People will know, “Oh, that’s Pet Wants!” But they’ll also know, “That’s Jeff and Sharilynn!” It’s not a sterile, personality-free business just because you are a part of a franchise system.
Jeff: Franchising has a reputation of being rigid — a baked-in formula you have to follow with no space for creativity or lean into what the local market may need or ask for. But once we got into it, I realized how much flexibility there can be within a well-structured system. Pet Wants provides a lot of the tools we need, but it’s up to us to build relationships and create a unique positive experience for our customers.
1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?
Sharilynn: We were drawn to Pet Wants because of their focus on quality, fresh ingredients for pets. We knew that we could feel good about what we were offering to pet owners. It’s also exciting to be part of a brand that values personalized service. We’re not just selling pet food; we’re building relationships with our customers and their pets and really making an impact on their lives.
1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?
Jeff: Our immediate goal is intentional growth while concurrently finding the right location for our first storefront. I’m looking forward to the real estate and construction aspect as that’s something I do every day in my corporate role.
Sharilynn: We really want to establish ourselves as a trusted name in Sherman and throughout the Texoma area when it comes to pet nutrition, potentially getting to a place where we could open multiple stores in our territory. Beyond opening more stores, I want to make sure we’re known for our customer service — being there to offer advice and support to local pet owners. I’m so excited to contribute to pets having optimal lives. Not just trudging through, but actually feeling great, having energy and enjoying themselves well into their senior years.
1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?
Sharilynn: I am so excited about the free delivery and education aspects of the business. We can schedule consultations with pet parents to talk about what’s going on, and we can work hand-in-hand with a vet to add a probiotic or change food to address a health concern. That’s something that makes us very unique compared to other big box stores, and it’s one of the things I’m most excited about with this business.
1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?
Jeff: My advice would be to find a brand that aligns with your personal values and do your research. Don’t trust everything you hear, do your own due diligence checking multiple sources. You have to do everything you can to make sure you feel comfortable with the path that lies ahead of you. I advise considering overfunding your business during the startup phase of business ownership and ensuring you have the capital to support the business during the early years to ensure the business is IN business for the long term.
Sharilynn: I’d add that you should go into franchising with an open mind and a willingness to learn. There’s a lot of support, but you still have to put in the work and dedication. Don’t be afraid to reach out to other franchisees and ask questions — they’ve been where you are, and their insights can be really valuable.
It’s important to find something that will feed your soul. Make sure you’re getting into business with a brand that truly is a good match.
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.
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