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After 25 years in the software industry,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rjspreckelsen?trk=public_profile_browsemap&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-this-software-expert-is-following-a-childhood-dream-with-the-launch-of-pet-wants-in-st-augustine-florida-2729508" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">RJ Spreckelsen</a> was ready for something more meaningful, specifically something that aligned with his passion for animals and desire to work alongside his family.&nbsp;Now, with the launch of&nbsp;<a href="https://petwantsfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-this-software-expert-is-following-a-childhood-dream-with-the-launch-of-pet-wants-in-st-augustine-florida-2729508" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Pet Wants</a> 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&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/info">Pet Wants</a> pack.&nbsp;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:&nbsp;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:&nbsp;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:&nbsp;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:&nbsp;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&nbsp;<a href="https://www.petwants.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-this-software-expert-is-following-a-childhood-dream-with-the-launch-of-pet-wants-in-st-augustine-florida-2729508" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.petwants.com/</a> or follow Pet Wants on LinkedIn, @petwantsusa on Facebook, @petwants on Twitter and Instagram.

How This Software Expert is Following a Childhood Dream with the Launch of Pet Wants 

RJ Spreckelsen: From Software Expert to Pet Wants Franchise Owner

1851 Franchise

After more than 25 years in tech, RJ is turning his lifelong love of animals into a family-run business focused on delivering fresh, natural pet food to the St. Augustine community.

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

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