How This Software Expert is Following a Childhood Dream with the Launch of Pet Wants in St. Augustine, Florida

After 25 years in the software industry, RJ Spreckelsen was ready for something more meaningful, specifically something that aligned with his passion for animals and desire to work alongside his family. 

Now, with the launch of Pet Wants St. Augustine Central, he’s combining entrepreneurial ambition with a mission-driven brand that prioritizes pet health, small-batch nutrition and community connection. As a mobile-first operation with plans to open a storefront in 2025, RJ’s new venture is already gaining traction — and he’s just getting started.

1851 spoke with RJ to learn more about his background and his decision to join the Pet Wants pack. 

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?

RJ Spreckelsen: I’ve been in the software industry for a little over 25 years. I’ve always had a love and passion for animals. I really wanted to change careers and do something more toward helping pets and pet owners. I’ve also always wanted to open my own business and be an entrepreneur. Growing up, I wanted a career working with animals, and when I started looking at my options, I eventually found Pet Wants.

1851: What did you do before franchising?

Spreckelsen: I’ve worked in software testing — testing applications for different industries. Most recently, it was in banking, but I’ve also done insurance software, medical software, HR software — a little bit of everything.

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

Spreckelsen: What drove me toward franchising was the support — they offer a lot of help with marketing, point you in the right direction with products, branding and more. That helps answer a lot of those original questions and the unknowns when you’re starting a new business. It gets you moving faster than if you had to do all of that on your own.

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

Spreckelsen: What I liked about Pet Wants was the mobile-first model — for the first year or so, you start mobile and then transition to a storefront. I thought that was a great way to get into the area early on. But what I really loved was their focus on nutrition and natural foods. No artificial preservatives, no soy, no byproducts. They have a proprietary dry food blend that’s made in small batches every 45 days — that’s something you won’t find in big box retailers. Pet Wants also feels like a close-knit team. Even though it’s growing, the franchisees and the company are really connected by a shared mission: doing what’s best for pets and their people.

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

Spreckelsen: The first goal is to open a retail store at the beginning of next year. After that, I’d like to expand a little further south and hopefully add a couple more ZIP codes.

1851: Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?

Spreckelsen: This is a family business. My wife is involved, and my daughter — who’s an animal science major — has the same love for animals as I do. She’ll be helping at the farmer’s markets and local events. My eighth-grade son is also excited to pitch in. It’s really nice to be able to spend that extra time together and build something meaningful as a family.

1851 Franchise: What advice do you have for people thinking about becoming franchise owners?

Spreckelsen: Do your research and find not just a business, but something you’re actually passionate about. It shouldn’t just be a job — this should be something you love to do. When it comes to franchises, find one that meets your needs. For me, the mobile-to-storefront model was the perfect fit. Just make sure you’re choosing something that gets you excited to wake up and make a difference every day.

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.