How This Entrepreneur Mom Is Redefining Furry Friend Care With Pet Wants Franchise

In a move that's quickly caught the attention of pet lovers in her city, Anna Marie Valadez has embarked on a journey to transform pet care with the launch of her mobile Pet Wants franchise.

“We want to be a community resource so our neighbors have a place they can go to for their pet’s nutrition journey — from puppy/kitten to senior,” Anna Marie said. “We’ve only been open for a few months and we’re already making a difference.”

Combining her passion for animals with an entrepreneurial spirit, Valadez is on a mission to educate pet owners about the importance of high-quality nutrition. Her venture into the franchise world was inspired by her family’s own personal success with Pet Wants' products, which significantly improved their own pets' health.

After years of involvement in the financial, education and community service, including overseas humanitarian mission trips — Anna Marie and her husband, David, discovered a new passion in pet nutrition and wellness. Over the past few years Anna Marie began showing her dogs. A recent championship at a dog-show not only highlighted their commitment to animal care but also paved the way for this business venture that launched in January.

As Anna Marie prepares to open two brick-and-mortar stores, the Valadezes are excited to offer a personalized, knowledgeable service to the Riverside community. They aim to be more than just a pet store; they envision creating a hub for pet health and wellness education.

FEATURE QUESTIONS

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

Valadez: Before embarking on our franchise journey, I was deeply involved in the financial industry as an executive assistant and running my own business, Valadez Tax and Notary. I also co-owned Ally Media Solutions with my husband David. My life took a turn when I decided to leave my career to become a stay-at-home mom after having two children 14 months apart — a surprise blessing given that I was told I couldn't have children. My kids up to then were my dogs. Despite this shift, my drive to work remained. I found myself volunteering, participating in mission trips, hosted over 40 international exchange students and always staying active within the community. Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, I participated in a year-long entrepreneur program during the pandemic, which led us down a path we hadn't expected.

After the passing of my elderly dogs year after year. We decided we were not going to get another dog and travel a bit, but that didn't last long. 8 months later we got our first show dog. I have always been a learner and was blessed with an amazing mentor who sparked a passion for health, wellness and pet nutrition. I've been in the dog-show world for the last two years and our first show dog actually became a grand champion last month and was #9 in the county for his breed for February. Plus, just last week we added a new addition to our family by adopting a rescue who I also did the Pet Wants challenge with, he too chose Pets Wants Fresh Formula over the premium popular food the shelter had him on. I've learned so much more about nutrition, health and grooming with the incredible pet nutrition training provided to us franchise owners that when I look back on our 20-plus years of being pet owners, plus the lifetime of always having at least 1 pet in the house as a kid, I realized that I haven’t always provided the best nutrition for my dogs but knowing now what I know, I am really excited to help other pet owners by bringing premium fresh natural pet food and products to my own community, as well as providing nutritional guidance.

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?

Valadez: Initially, franchising wasn't really on my radar. It wasn't until our venture into pet care and nutrition, driven by our own pets' needs, that franchising appeared as a viable path for us. Discovering Pet Wants and experiencing the quality of their products firsthand convinced us that this was something we wanted to be a part of.

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

Valadez: Our pivot to Pet Wants was influenced by our personal journey in pet care, particularly our need for high-quality nutrition for one sensitive dog with severe allergies. The noticeable difference in our pets' health and the quality of products solidified our decision. Before we even bought the franchise, we were convinced by the effectiveness and quality of their offerings.

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

Valadez: Our goal is to provide a health-and-wellness hub for pets — not just a pet store. Through Pet Wants, we aim to offer high-quality, well-sourced products that we've personally seen make a difference. Our aspiration is to educate our community on pet nutrition and wellness, leveraging our dog’s personal health journey and understanding of the importance of core nutrition. With plans for two brick-and-mortar stores in the works, we want to offer a tangible experience for pet owners, emphasizing the quality and benefits of our products.

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

Valadez: I am a pet owner like our customers. Our journey to becoming knowledgeable advocates for pet nutrition and care shows our growth and passion. Our experience highlights the importance of understanding pet needs, from grooming to nutrition, and we're dedicated to helping other pet owners make informed decisions for their own families.

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

Valadez: We've started our own small businesses in the past, but nothing beats the support from corporate and the knowledge of other franchise owners to help you along your journey. You must love what you're doing. Try the product yourself first. If you’re looking to be a franchise owner and have this entrepreneurship spirit, the product sells itself. It sold us!