Pet Wants

Jennifer Tortoriello, with over a decade of experience in the fast-paced corporate world of billing and accounts receivable, is taking back control of her work-life balance by franchising with&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/info">Pet Wants</a> in Wheaton, Illinois.&nbsp;Despite a childhood dream of becoming a veterinarian that didn't materialize, Tortoriello’s love for animals remained undiminished. As a result, when she and her husband decided to branch out into entrepreneurship, a pet-focused franchise was a natural choice. Attracted by its solid business model, the Tortoriellos felt that&nbsp;<a href="https://petwantsfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=family-of-animal-lovers-team-up-to-open-pet-wants-franchise-in-illinois-2723076" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Pet Wants</a> was a perfect fit for their family's goals.&nbsp;The family’s personal experience with Pet Wants' products also underscores Tortoriello’s faith in the brand. After their own dogs, including one with hip dysplasia, started eating Pet Wants food, she noticed significant improvements in their pets' energy levels and overall health. This personal testament fuels Tortoriello’s belief in the value of the products she is selling.With her heart set on the well-being of pets and an ambition to build a family business, Tortoriello is on her way to turning her passion into a rewarding profession with Pet Wants in Wheaton, Illinois.&nbsp;1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us.&nbsp;What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Jennifer Tortoriello:&nbsp;I have been in billing and accounts receivable for over 10 years. My husband works for the same company as a commercial service manager. We were looking for something that would give us more fulfillment. I also have always had a passion for pets and wanted to be a veterinarian when I was younger, but it didn’t work out. This seemed like something that would be a good fit for me. I really enjoy being around animals.&nbsp;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?Tortoriello:&nbsp;My husband had been looking into different franchise options for a while now. He is the one who initially found the Pet Wants franchise for me. He liked their business model, and he thought it would all lay itself out great.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Tortoriello:&nbsp;We looked at all different kinds of franchises, but something like the restaurant industry just wasn't our cup of tea. The price range for what they were offering wasn’t there. The value with the Pet Wants investment and what they represent was a very good option for us.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Tortoriello:&nbsp;I would like to be able to leave something for our kids that they can pursue themselves.&nbsp;My oldest son is 19, and he is looking to help out with deliveries. My middle son is 16, and he is looking to be my salesman. He can sell anything to anybody. My daughter is 11, and she is also an animal person. She is very excited to be involved. The goal is to spend more time with our family while helping animals and animal owners in our community.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?Tortoriello:&nbsp;I currently have two overweight dogs and a puppy. After [testing] Pet Wants food, they are noticeably more energetic and happier. They are healthier all around. Our oldest dog in particular had hip dysplasia as a puppy. He got to the point where he had a hard time getting around. We can already tell the Pet Wants food has been good for him. He is up and moving more. His joints don’t seem as tight. We can tell this is a product we can be passionate about.&nbsp;&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?Tortoriello: You should definitely take advantage of all the training offered. All the training with Pet Wants has really been amazing. It is a big process though. Take your time, and make sure you learn as much as possible.&nbsp;ABOUT PET WANTSPet 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 enhanced 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 and has created the ultimate convenience with free, personal delivery through their 90+ locations across the United States. The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Pet Wants franchise ranges from $131,350 to $202,500. This includes between $57,500 and $62,500 paid to the franchisor or an affiliate. To learn more about Pet Wants, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.petwants.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=family-of-animal-lovers-team-up-to-open-pet-wants-franchise-in-illinois-2723076" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">petwants.com</a>. Or, follow Pet Wants on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/pet-wants/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=family-of-animal-lovers-team-up-to-open-pet-wants-franchise-in-illinois-2723076" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">LinkedIn</a>, @petwantsusa on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/petwantsusa/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=family-of-animal-lovers-team-up-to-open-pet-wants-franchise-in-illinois-2723076" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Facebook</a>, @petwants on&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/PetWants/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=family-of-animal-lovers-team-up-to-open-pet-wants-franchise-in-illinois-2723076" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Twitter</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/petwants/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=family-of-animal-lovers-team-up-to-open-pet-wants-franchise-in-illinois-2723076" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Instagram</a>.

Family of Animal Lovers Team Up to Open Pet Wants Franchise in Illinois

1851 Franchise

Trading accounts receivable for wagging tails, Jennifer Tortoriello is excited to pursue her life-long passion for animals while spending more time with her family.

This brand page has been paid for by PET WANTS. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

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Own a Pet Wants Franchise

For many entrepreneurs, the journey into business ownership begins with a personal passion. For&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kariann-harker-a3275779">Kariann Harker</a>, that passion has always been animals. After years working in the health care field, she decided it was time to pursue something more fulfilling — and that decision ultimately led her to launch a&nbsp;<a href="https://petwantsfranchise.com/">Pet Wants franchise</a> in Colorado Springs.<h2>Turning a Passion for Pets Into a Family Business</h2>Harker worked in administrative roles in health care for years before she became a business owner. The job was steady, but it wasn't the kind of long-term career she really wanted. So, she and her husband started looking into ways they could build something as a team, and franchising quickly seemed like the perfect fit.“My husband and I decided we wanted to do something together,” she said. “We looked into franchising, and our passion for animals. We really started there and haven’t looked back.”The idea of entrepreneurship had always been in the back of her mind — especially a business centered around pets. “Dogs have always been a huge passion of mine — they really bring life to me,” she said. “What got us started in this was Ruby, our pit bull. She has a lot of sensitivities, and we were always looking for something healthy that she could eat.”Initially, the couple explored other franchise opportunities. But when they came across&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/info">Pet Wants</a>, the brand’s mission immediately resonated with them.“We were looking at another franchise after deciding that that was the way to go — one because of the support and two because we didn’t want to start from scratch,” she said. “But we found Pet Wants and it really checked all the boxes.”What stood out most was the brand’s focus on pet health and nutrition — something that had already been a personal challenge in Harker’s own life.“The message about pet health and wellness is something we are always striving for,” she said. “We’ve had a few dogs who have had severe allergies, so finding anything they could even eat was a struggle. I wish we had something like Pet Wants at the time.”Learning more about the brand confirmed that it aligned perfectly with their values and goals. “They explained what the brand was, and talking with them about our passion made us realize it was really aligned with what we wanted to do,” Harker said.<h2>Starting Mobile and Building Momentum</h2>Harker officially launched her Pet Wants business in 2025. Like many Pet Wants franchisees,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/is-a-storefront-required-how-pet-wants-gives-owners-flexibility-and-a-smarter-route-to-revenue-2731546">she began with the mobile model</a> — a strategic approach that allows owners to start building a customer base before opening a storefront.“We started in 2025. It has been fantastic, and we have really been well received here,” Harker said.While the couple is currently negotiating a lease for a brick-and-mortar location, the mobile model has allowed them to establish relationships within the community first. “Starting mobile allows us to really build our clientele, and we aren’t just sitting and waiting around while the storefront is being found,” she said.&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/the-flexibility-of-owning-a-pet-wants-franchise-2728539">The flexibility</a> has also made it easier for Harker to take the lead in building the business while her husband continues working his current job. Transitioning from an administrative career to entrepreneurship has been an adjustment, but Harker embraces the learning process.“Every day is something new as we stay on top of what we need to get done,” she said. “It’s a whole new setup that I wasn’t used to, but we are learning and we are making headway.”<h2>Building a Strong Network of Support</h2>Like many first-time business owners, Harker has leaned heavily on the support networks around her — both locally and&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/franchise-with-community-at-its-core-pet-wants-local-focus-drives-purpose-and-impact-2729102">within the Pet Wants system</a>.One of the most valuable resources for Harker has been connecting with other women entrepreneurs in her community. For Harker, that network came through the Women’s Chamber of Commerce in Colorado Springs.“That has been a huge benefit,” Harker said. “We found a lot of partners to work with, and knowing they all support women-owned businesses is amazing.”The connections and encouragement from other women entrepreneurs have been a major source of inspiration. “It’s been wonderful being able to go to those networking events and knowing that they support women and want women in business to succeed,” Harker said.Harker also credits the Pet Wants franchise system for&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/franchisee-toolkit-the-key-to-success-in-owning-a-pet-wants-franchise-2730116">providing the support she needed</a> to get her business off the ground. From corporate leadership to fellow franchise owners, Harker says the brand's collaborative culture has been one of the most rewarding aspects of joining the system.“I can’t say enough about the support we’ve gotten from the Pet Wants team, and the other franchisees as well,” she said. “We are always in touch with other franchisees — we aren’t in competition.”She also appreciates the equal footing she has experienced as a female business owner. “They don’t just wait and talk to my husband if they need something — they support me and treat me as an equal,” Harker said.<h2>Looking Ahead</h2>As Harker continues to grow her mobile customer base and finalize plans for a storefront location, she remains focused on the mission that drew her to Pet Wants in the first place:&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/investing-in-purpose-how-pet-wants-franchisees-are-transforming-pet-nutrition-2728325">improving the health and well-being of pets in her community</a>.For Harker, the opportunity to combine her love of animals with entrepreneurship has been transformative. And as she continues building her Pet Wants business, she’s proving that sometimes the best careers are the ones built around the things we love most.Ready to build a business rooted in purpose, passion and pet health and wellness? Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/info">https://1851franchise.com/petwants/info</a> to learn more about franchising with Pet Wants.

In honor of Women's History Month, Kariann Harker shares how female entrepreneurs can turn a passion into a thriving business and connect with other businesswomen.

How This Health Care Professional Turned a Personal Pet Problem Into a Growing Business With Pet Wants

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Owning a business in the pet industry can be both rewarding and demanding. For franchisees with&nbsp;<a href="https://petwantsfranchise.com/">Pet Wants</a>, the fast-growing pet wellness franchise, success comes from a combination of purpose, partnership and persistence.The brand’s mission of providing fresh, high-quality nutrition for pets attracts owners who genuinely care about the animals and families they serve. But passion alone isn’t enough.&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/info">Pet Wants</a> franchisees also benefit from an extensive support system and a business model that rewards those who commit to learning, growing and working hard in their communities.For Pet Wants franchisee&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-steinmetz-16ba16254/">Valerie Steinmetz</a>, for example, those three ingredients have been essential to building her business.<h2>Passion for Pets and Their Health</h2>Many Pet Wants franchisees first discover the brand as pet owners searching for better nutrition options for their own animals. That personal connection often becomes the spark that leads them to entrepreneurship.For Steinmetz, the journey began when her own dog developed health issues. “She was five years old and started getting allergies,” she said. “The more research I did on what could be causing it and what we could do to help her, the more it pointed to food and nutrition.”As she dug deeper into the pet food industry, Steinmetz found the experience frustrating. That search eventually led her to Pet Wants and its franchise opportunity — a concept that immediately resonated with her.“I loved what the brand was about – from the products and high standards for pet wellness to the owners’ community involvement and local presence,” Steinmetz said. “It checked a lot of boxes for me.”Today, that personal passion still drives her business. Steinmetz says the most successful Pet Wants owners are those who&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/pet-wants-as-a-lifestyle-brand-building-a-franchise-around-pet-health-wellness-2730102">genuinely care about helping pets live healthier lives</a>.“You have to have that passion for pets and animals,” she said. “Our clientele's pets are family members. Most Pet Wants owners really have that passion for what they are doing.”That authenticity matters to customers — especially those who are looking for solutions to their pets’ health challenges. “Our passion stems from our own personal experience with our dog,” Steinmetz said. “It’s nice to be able to help pet parents because we’ve been there ourselves."<h2>A Support System Built for Growth</h2>While passion provides the motivation, franchise success also depends on having the right support structure behind the scenes.<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/new-to-franchising-heres-why-pet-wants-is-a-great-place-to-start-2729060">Pet Wants provides franchisees with comprehensive training, ongoing coaching and a collaborative network of fellow owners</a>. New franchisees begin with onboarding support and training focused on pet nutrition, marketing and business operations. From there, they continue working closely with franchise business coaches and the brand’s marketing and operations teams.That level of support allows franchisees to focus on building relationships with customers and growing their local presence.<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/is-a-storefront-required-how-pet-wants-gives-owners-flexibility-and-a-smarter-route-to-revenue-2731546">The brand’s unique two-phase model</a> also helps owners get started quickly. Franchisees typically begin by operating a mobile store, selling at community events such as farmers markets and pet-focused events. This allows them to build brand awareness and develop a customer base even before opening a brick-and-mortar location.Steinmetz followed a similar path when launching her business. “We started the business in November of 2022 and opened in April 2023,” she said. “We were only mobile for about five months.”Although the mobile model helped introduce the brand locally, Steinmetz and her husband knew they wanted to open a storefront as soon as possible. “We were the first franchisee required to have a store open within a year,” she said. “We knew that was the path we wanted to go. Opening a store made a big difference for us because we could tell people where we were located. It gave us some more validity.”<h2>Hard Work, Consistency and a Willingness to Learn</h2>Even with passion and support, building a successful franchise still requires dedication and a willingness to put in the work. For Steinmetz, one of the biggest lessons she has learned is the importance of consistency.“It’s hard to get started, but you have to show up every day,” she said. “You can’t close early just because no one is there. You have to be there for people when they need you.”Reliability builds trust with customers, especially in a&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/franchise-with-community-at-its-core-pet-wants-local-focus-drives-purpose-and-impact-2729102">community-focused retail environment</a> where relationships matter. “People’s time is valuable,” she said. “You have to respect that and make it as easy as possible for them to shop with you.”Continuous learning is another key part of the process. Steinmetz says listening closely to customers has helped shape the way she runs her store. And because Pet Wants operates as an education-focused pet business, understanding customers’ needs can also drive referrals and long-term growth.“We are a solutions-based business,” Steinmetz said. “We’re trying to give customers another option and provide a solution for people whose dogs may have something like a sensitive stomach or skin issues. If you stay true to that and bring in products that help people, the word spreads.”<h2>Building a Business With Purpose</h2>By combining passion for pets, strong franchisor support and the willingness to work hard and keep learning, Pet Wants franchisees can create businesses that grow steadily while making a difference in the lives of pets and their owners.As Steinmetz’s experience shows, those three pillars often go hand in hand. “It hasn’t always been easy and there are, of course, challenges,” she said. “But that’s part of the joy and reward of owning your own business. If I could, I would do the whole thing over again every single time.”Ready to build a business rooted in purpose, passion and pet health and wellness? Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/info">https://1851franchise.com/petwants/info</a> to learn more about franchising with Pet Wants.

The formula comes down to three simple but powerful ingredients: a passion for pets, strong franchisor support and the dedication to show up and put in the work every day.

3 Keys to Franchise Success with Pet Wants: Passion, Support, and Hard Work

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Pet Wants ATL North Celebrates Piedmont Grand Opening, Completing Final Store Conversion Following Whole Dog Market Acquisition

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Family of Animal Lovers Team Up to Open Pet Wants Franchise in Illinois

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