How This Pet Lover Turned Her Dog’s Health Journey Into a Business Mission with Pet Wants

When Mona Pradhan’s dog began struggling with digestive issues, she did what any loving pet parent would do: she tried everything. From home-cooked meals to vet-prescribed foods, nothing seemed to work — until she discovered Pet Wants. The improvement was dramatic. Her pup’s bloating disappeared, his coat became shinier and his energy returned. That transformation didn’t just change his life — it changed hers. 

Today, Pradhan and her husband are proud owners of a Pet Wants franchise in Cleveland, Tennessee, and they’re on a mission to share the power of fresh, nutrient-rich pet food with fellow pet lovers across the state.

1851 spoke with Pradhan to learn more about her story, her decision to join Pet Wants and her plans for the future. 

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

Mona Pradhan: I have a fur baby, and he always had digestive issues. We were so excited when we got him, but the food we found on the market didn’t help. We tried prescribed food from the doctor, but nothing really worked. I started cooking food for him myself, and while there were some small changes, his stomach was still bloated, and he didn’t have the energy he should have had. When we discovered Pet Wants and started transitioning him to that food, we saw major positive changes — his coat, his health, his energy. Before that, it even seemed like there was water retention in his body. People don’t realize how much kibble plays a role in a pet’s health. When I meet people, I always tell them how important it is. Our pets want fresh food just like we do — and Pet Wants food hasn’t been sitting on the shelf for months.

1851: What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Pradhan: I worked for BlueCross BlueShield as a process improvement analyst — I started there as an intern. My husband is an engineer, and he’s still working while we launch Pet Wants together. My background is in IT, health care and marketing, but I always wanted to do something I could truly own. My husband and I used to talk about starting something, but we could never decide on what. With Pet Wants, we’re doing something we love — and we’re not just selling products. We’re educating people in the community.

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

Pradhan: I love that we are helping others. So many people don’t realize how important nutrition is for pets. Not only do I love animals, but I also want to educate the community and make people feel like I’m there for them — not just to sell something. I want them to know they aren’t just a number.

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

Pradhan: We’re starting with one store, and we’ve already purchased a second territory. We hope to open another location within three years. Most people in Tennessee still don’t know about Pet Wants, so our goal is to grow brand awareness and also partner with local pet shelters to support the community.

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

Pradhan: In our home, we don’t just love our pets — we respect them. Our four-and-a-half-year-old son calls our fur baby “elder brother.” We’ve taught him to feed our pets and care for them, because they’re family. My husband and I are originally from Nepal, and there's a festival dedicated to dogs for their loyalty and unconditional love — we actually worship our dogs on that day. We still celebrate it here in the U.S. because it reminds us just how important our fur babies are.

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

Pradhan: I was scared — I had never owned a business before. But once I started talking to the Pet Wants team, I felt so much better. There’s an onboarding coach, a business coach — they guide you through everything. There were so many things I didn’t know, and they made sure I was doing everything correctly. They even recommended accounting firms and insurance providers. It’s been a great support system.

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.