Why This British Swim School Franchisee is Opening a Pet Wants Franchise

After 16 years in the banking sector, Angelica Monroy was comfortable but wanted to do something different. Seeking a new challenge, she transitioned into franchising, becoming the owner of a British Swim School, offering swimming lessons to children and families in her community. This year, looking to diversify her portfolio and expand into a new category, she came across Pet Wants, the pet wellness and nutrition franchise.

“We have three pets and three children. When we went into British Swim School, it was for our children, but when it comes to Pet Wants, it’s for our pets,” Monroy said. “Our pets are our furry babies — they are an extension of our family ... My entrepreneurial spirit is about doing good for others, and Pet Wants allows me to help pet parents become more educated about nutrition.”

Now, Monroy has officially opened her Pet Wants franchise in Oak Brook, Illinois, and has big plans for the future. 

1851 Franchise spoke with Monroy to learn more about her background, her franchising journey with Pet Wants and her plans for the future. 

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Angelica Monroy: My background is in banking, and that is very safe and secure. It’s not about being a risk taker. I did that for 16 years. I was comfortable but I wanted to do something different.

I am a franchise owner; I own another brand which caters to children, a British Swim School. We teach swimming lessons to children. I was already very familiar with the concept of franchising. When we were looking to expand into different areas, we looked into a franchise business that could complement our industry, but eventually, we decided that we loved the Pet Wants concept too much. Taking care of pets is like taking care of children — we have three pets and three children. When we went into British Swim School, it was for our children, but when it comes to Pet Wants, it’s for our pets.

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?

Monroy: As someone who came from a family of entrepreneurs, it was easy to fall into the franchise model. They have the systems in place, procedures, processes, etc. That made me feel more confident when I first started. Owning your own business is not a 9-to-5 job, but would I do it all over again? Clearly. Just having that support system there is so valuable.

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

Monroy: Our pets are our furry babies — they are an extension of our family — so giving them the right nutrition is critical. When learning more about Pet Wants, it felt like a great fit for us and what we wanted to do. My entrepreneurial spirit is about doing good for others, and Pet Wants allows me to help pet parents become more educated about nutrition and the well-being of their pets. Being of service by providing a good product; making money while making a difference.

I liked the fact that the brand wasn’t gigantic; they still gave me the feeling that I could reach out to them if I have a question or a problem. You still get that relationship with the top-level team, even though they are a national company.

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

Monroy: We are already thinking about selling the business one day. That allows us to think about growth. We are considering expanding. We started with one territory and our goal is to expand to additional territories in the areas we are located.

1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?

Monroy: This is a family-driven enterprise. My husband and my sister are also part of the team.

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

Monroy: Just make sure the brand you are looking at aligns with your skill set and belief system. Starting a business requires a lot of work and commitment, so you need to choose a brand that you will enjoy. That makes life a lot easier.

To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, visit: https://1851franchise.com/petwants.

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.