Running a pet-based business can be deeply rewarding, but it’s not without its challenges. From standing out in a crowded marketplace to managing inventory, educating customers and building trust with pet parents, success in the pet industry requires more than just a love of animals. For Pet Wants franchisee Pam Brascetta, overcoming those hurdles has been a learning process rooted in passion, perseverance and the right support system behind her.
Now in her third year as a Pet Wants franchisee in New Jersey, Brascetta knows firsthand how demanding — and fulfilling — pet-based entrepreneurship can be.
“I’ve always had a passion for pets, and I love to be busy,” she said. “What really resonated with me when I started researching Pet Wants was how aligned the brand felt with how I approach my life. When I learned the story of how it began and saw the benefits of the food, it really drew me in further.”
One of the biggest challenges facing any pet business owner today is competition. Big-box retailers, online marketplaces and subscription-focused brands dominate the space, making it difficult for independent operators to stand out. For Brascetta, that challenge was magnified by the fact that Pet Wants was not yet well known in her market.
“This area was not familiar with Pet Wants,” she said. “So it was really about educating the consumer — not just about the product, but about the quality of the product and why it matters.”
Pet Wants’ small-batch, proprietary nutrition model gave her a powerful differentiator. Rather than competing on price or convenience alone, Brascetta was able to focus on education, personalized service and outcomes.
“We’re very comprehensive and take a holistic approach,” she said. “We want pets to be at their best. That means having engaging, ongoing communication with customers to see how their pets are doing and guiding them through the process.”
Another common pain point for pet business owners, according to Brascetta, is inventory management. “The biggest challenge in the first year was getting a good grip on purchasing and inventory,” she said. “What sells? What doesn’t sell? That’s all a learning process.”
Pet Wants’ mobile-first model plays a key role in helping franchisees overcome that challenge. By starting with farmers markets, pop-up events and local community gatherings, owners can test products, gather feedback and better understand customer preferences before scaling further.
“You’re doing a lot of mobile retail events, and you’re learning every single day,” Brascetta said. “You have to figure out what events are worth it, how you want to present yourself and where your time is best spent. You’re constantly making judgment calls.”
For Brascetta, one of the most significant differences between Pet Wants and her previous franchise experience has been the level of support offered by the franchisor. “Many years ago, I owned a different franchise and I didn’t get the support I really needed,” she said. “That’s ultimately why I sold it.”
With Pet Wants, she says the difference has been clear from the beginning.
“I loved that I could communicate and ask questions when I needed to,” Brascetta said. “The quality, the branding, the passion of the Brand Team at Pet Wants HQ and the high standards really stood out to me.”
That support extends well beyond onboarding. Pet Wants provides ongoing education, operational guidance and access to a broader franchisee network, all of which are critical in a business with as many moving parts as pet nutrition.
“The Pet Wants Brand Team enables you to learn as much as you want,” Brascetta said. “You gain so much knowledge, and that helps you feel confident when you’re helping pet parents find solutions.”
As the business grows, so does the need for help. Brascetta emphasizes that running a pet-based business isn’t something most owners can (or should) do alone.
“It’s better to do this if you have support behind you,” she said. “You’re going to need some help. There are so many moving parts and so many things to get done, so you need people you can delegate responsibilities to.”
Pet Wants’ model allows franchisees to grow at a pace that makes sense for them. That flexibility helps owners avoid burnout while still maintaining high service standards.
Despite the systems, training and support in place, Brascetta is clear that one factor matters above all else: passion.
“You really have to live and breathe pets,” she said. “I wake up every day because of the pets. That’s what keeps me going.”
She’s also candid about the realities of entrepreneurship, particularly in the early years. “It’s going to take time financially,” Brascetta said. “You have to bear with it and push through. If you’re not truly passionate about caring for animals, this might not be the right thing for you.”
For pet lovers like Brascetta who are willing to put in the work, Pet Wants helps transform the most common challenges of pet-based business ownership into opportunities for growth.
For more information on franchising with Pet Wants, visit https://1851franchise.com/petwants/info.
Pet Wants
SPONSORED
Pet Wants ensures that owners like Pam Brascetta can navigate factors like market competition and inventory management as they build their business in the demanding pet industry.
Running a pet-based business can be deeply rewarding, but it’s not without its challenges. From standing out in a crowded marketplace to managing inventory, educating customers and building trust with pet parents, success in the pet industry requires more than just a love of animals. For Pet Wants franchisee Pam Brascetta, overcoming those hurdles has been a learning process rooted in passion, perseverance and the right support system behind her.
Now in her third year as a Pet Wants franchisee in New Jersey, Brascetta knows firsthand how demanding — and fulfilling — pet-based entrepreneurship can be.
“I’ve always had a passion for pets, and I love to be busy,” she said. “What really resonated with me when I started researching Pet Wants was how aligned the brand felt with how I approach my life. When I learned the story of how it began and saw the benefits of the food, it really drew me in further.”
One of the biggest challenges facing any pet business owner today is competition. Big-box retailers, online marketplaces and subscription-focused brands dominate the space, making it difficult for independent operators to stand out. For Brascetta, that challenge was magnified by the fact that Pet Wants was not yet well known in her market.
“This area was not familiar with Pet Wants,” she said. “So it was really about educating the consumer — not just about the product, but about the quality of the product and why it matters.”
Pet Wants’ small-batch, proprietary nutrition model gave her a powerful differentiator. Rather than competing on price or convenience alone, Brascetta was able to focus on education, personalized service and outcomes.
“We’re very comprehensive and take a holistic approach,” she said. “We want pets to be at their best. That means having engaging, ongoing communication with customers to see how their pets are doing and guiding them through the process.”
Another common pain point for pet business owners, according to Brascetta, is inventory management. “The biggest challenge in the first year was getting a good grip on purchasing and inventory,” she said. “What sells? What doesn’t sell? That’s all a learning process.”
Pet Wants’ mobile-first model plays a key role in helping franchisees overcome that challenge. By starting with farmers markets, pop-up events and local community gatherings, owners can test products, gather feedback and better understand customer preferences before scaling further.
“You’re doing a lot of mobile retail events, and you’re learning every single day,” Brascetta said. “You have to figure out what events are worth it, how you want to present yourself and where your time is best spent. You’re constantly making judgment calls.”
For Brascetta, one of the most significant differences between Pet Wants and her previous franchise experience has been the level of support offered by the franchisor. “Many years ago, I owned a different franchise and I didn’t get the support I really needed,” she said. “That’s ultimately why I sold it.”
With Pet Wants, she says the difference has been clear from the beginning.
“I loved that I could communicate and ask questions when I needed to,” Brascetta said. “The quality, the branding, the passion of the Brand Team at Pet Wants HQ and the high standards really stood out to me.”
That support extends well beyond onboarding. Pet Wants provides ongoing education, operational guidance and access to a broader franchisee network, all of which are critical in a business with as many moving parts as pet nutrition.
“The Pet Wants Brand Team enables you to learn as much as you want,” Brascetta said. “You gain so much knowledge, and that helps you feel confident when you’re helping pet parents find solutions.”
As the business grows, so does the need for help. Brascetta emphasizes that running a pet-based business isn’t something most owners can (or should) do alone.
“It’s better to do this if you have support behind you,” she said. “You’re going to need some help. There are so many moving parts and so many things to get done, so you need people you can delegate responsibilities to.”
Pet Wants’ model allows franchisees to grow at a pace that makes sense for them. That flexibility helps owners avoid burnout while still maintaining high service standards.
Despite the systems, training and support in place, Brascetta is clear that one factor matters above all else: passion.
“You really have to live and breathe pets,” she said. “I wake up every day because of the pets. That’s what keeps me going.”
She’s also candid about the realities of entrepreneurship, particularly in the early years. “It’s going to take time financially,” Brascetta said. “You have to bear with it and push through. If you’re not truly passionate about caring for animals, this might not be the right thing for you.”
For pet lovers like Brascetta who are willing to put in the work, Pet Wants helps transform the most common challenges of pet-based business ownership into opportunities for growth.
For more information on franchising with Pet Wants, visit https://1851franchise.com/petwants/info.
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