Strategic Franchising

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-kelly-b9256946?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=auto-industry-veteran-and-retired-teacher-fuel-pet-passion-with-pet-wants-franchise-2724316" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Rob</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/denise-kelly-44a5b1298?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=auto-industry-veteran-and-retired-teacher-fuel-pet-passion-with-pet-wants-franchise-2724316" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Denise Kelly</a>, a new franchisee duo with&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants/info">Pet Wants</a>, the brand committed to providing fresh, high-quality pet nutrition, have decided to embark on a new journey. &nbsp;&nbsp;The couple decided to pivot from their corporate careers and embark on a new chapter with&nbsp;<a href="https://petwantsfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=auto-industry-veteran-and-retired-teacher-fuel-pet-passion-with-pet-wants-franchise-2724316" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Pet Wants</a>. Now, with plans to start their franchise in early 2024, the Kellys and fur baby Teddi are ready to bring hope and nutritional awareness to pets and pet parents across the Greenville, South Carolina area.&nbsp;Prior to joining Pet Wants, Rob had a 27-year tenure in the automotive industry, supplying luxury interiors to Cadillac, BMW and Tesla. However, with the reorganization of his department,&nbsp; he found himself at a crossroads and decided to leave the corporate world behind. Meanwhile, Denise, a retired teacher with a compassionate history of volunteering at animal shelters and assisting homebound students, shared a life filled with canine companionship.&nbsp;The Kellys' journey into franchising was born out of a combination of their desire for a career pivot and their passion for pets. Their firsthand experience with Pet Wants’ food impressed them deeply, aligning with their values and igniting their entrepreneurial spirit. Rob was drawn to the brand's mission and support system, while Denise saw a unique opportunity in the company's nutrition-focused model to make a difference. The comprehensive training and guidance provided by Pet Wants were pivotal in their decision to join the franchise, reinforcing their belief in the brand.As new franchisees, the Kellys are fueled by the excitement of educating their community on pet nutrition and individualized care. They envision not just running a successful business, but also becoming a resource for pet owners seeking to improve the lives of their furry family members through better dietary choices. With plans to expand and open additional stores, they aspire to be pillars in the local pet community.&nbsp;1851 Franchise spoke with Rob and Denise to learn more about their background, their journey to the Pet Wants brand and their plans for the future.&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?Rob: I’ve been in the automotive industry as an interior product supplier to major luxury car companies like Cadillac, BMW, Tesla, etc., for 27 years. Due to the department's reorganization, I was let go. I decided I was done with the corporate world and wanted to try something new. I researched dozens of business opportunities before realizing franchising was for us.Denise: I am a retired teacher, and I was a caretaker for some of my grandchildren after that. I also visited homebound students that needed in-house education and have always been a frequent volunteer for some of the animal shelters nearby.&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?Rob: The support that a franchise provides vs. trying to open up a brand new business on your own was very attractive to us. As we chatted with the team at Pet Wants, we really loved the processes they already had in place and the way the franchise was set up for us. If we had to start a pet food business on our own, we wouldn’t even know where to start.&nbsp;Denise: It was clear that Pet Wants provided great hands-on training and guidance, so we knew we’d be ready to bring this concept to our area.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Rob:&nbsp;After deciding we wanted to do something new, we ideally wanted something related to pets. We did our research, and I went and visited one of the Pet Wants locations in South Carolina. I really loved the concept, what they stand for and their mission to help pets. We thought it’d be a great way to get into the pet food business.&nbsp;&nbsp;Denise:&nbsp;We’ve always loved dogs and owned many ourselves. We had one dog that touched our heart, a 10-year-old named Kenzie, who passed from a benign tumor in her stomach. We know that nutrition and non-processed foods are really essential and can extend dogs' lives. That is how we developed a passion for pet nutrition. When we found Pet Wants, it felt like a perfect fit.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Rob: We’d really like to expand the business and eventually open up another one or two retail stores in the future.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?Denise:&nbsp;We really want to educate our community and be more involved — the goal is to individualize the needs of dogs so local pet owners can better take care of their furry friends. That is our big thing. As pet parents, we used to only look at the main ingredients of the food we were buying. Now, we see things a different way — the food images and the ingredient labels can be very deceptive. We want to bring attention to the benefits of choosing the right pet food for your specific pet.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?Rob: You will always be nervous about whether you should take the plunge, but a franchise can make the decision easier. After we met everyone at the Pet Wants corporate office, it really solidified that we had made the right decision. They are a great group of people. They are really helpful and knowledgeable.&nbsp;To learn more about Pet Wants franchise opportunities, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/petwants">https://1851franchise.com/petwants</a>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 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.

Auto Industry Veteran and Retired Teacher Fuel Pet Passion with Pet Wants Franchise

1851 Franchise

After the loss of several beloved pets over the years and the addition of a new "fur baby" to the family, Rob and Denise Kelly embarked on a new mission to better pet nutrition and health in their community.

This brand page has been paid for by STRATEGIC FRANCHISING. 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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Franchise ownership is often sold as a shortcut to entrepreneurship: a proven model, a recognizable brand and built-in support. But even in strong franchise systems, things go sideways. Staffing headaches, cash flow hiccups, local marketing that doesn’t hit and plain old burnout can pile up fast.Within the&nbsp;<a href="https://strategicfranchising.com/">Strategic Franchising Systems</a> portfolio, those challenges are met head-on through coaching, peer support and a relentless focus on business fundamentals. According to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-brausch-28144410/">Tim Brausch</a>, a business coach with&nbsp;<a href="https://petwantsfranchise.com/">Pet Wants</a>, success starts with reframing what franchise ownership actually is.“Understanding it’s a business is the key,” Brausch said. “A lot of people get into franchising because they have a passion for the type of business they’ve chosen. In our case, it’s pet nutrition and wellness. But you also have to have a passion for business as well, margins, sales and understanding how everything fits together.”<h2>Shifting From Passion to Performance</h2>For many first-time owners, the early challenge is more about business acumen than motivation.&nbsp;“We spend a lot of time on KPIs and digging into P&amp;Ls,” Brausch said. “Those numbers tell the story of the business. Once owners understand them, they gain clarity instead of stress.”That clarity is critical in the early years.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamela-brascetta-aa376126">Pam Brascetta</a>, a Pet Wants franchisee in New Jersey, knows that firsthand. Now in her third year of operation, she describes the first year as both overwhelming and formative.“The biggest challenge in the first year was really getting a grip on purchasing and inventory,” Brascetta said. “What sells, what doesn’t sell — that’s a learning process. You’re figuring out events, figuring out what’s worth your time and making judgment calls every single day.”For Brascetta, franchising wasn’t new. She previously owned a travel franchise but ultimately sold it due to a lack of support.“I didn’t get the support that I really needed,” she said. “That experience taught me how important it is to have a system and people behind you.”<h2>Leaning Into the System&nbsp;</h2>One of the most common mistakes new franchisees make, Brausch says, is underutilizing the franchisor’s systems early on.“Many challenges come from not fully understanding the franchisor’s systems in the beginning,” he said. “Sometimes owners buy a business and think they’re on their own. But that’s not how franchising works. We are really the silent business partner here to assist you.”From onboarding and training to ongoing coaching,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/strategicfranchising/info">Strategic Franchising Systems</a> is designed to reduce isolation, but only if franchisees engage.“Fully engage in onboarding, attend ongoing training and lean on the support team,” Brausch said. “That’s what it’s there for.”Brascetta echoes that sentiment, noting that access to knowledge and education has been one of the most rewarding parts of ownership. “Corporate enables you to learn as much as you want,” she said. “We’re very comprehensive in how we work with customers, and that comes from the training and support behind the brand.”<h2>Staffing, Scaling and Letting Go</h2>Labor is another challenge that consistently tests franchise owners. “One of the big problems when starting a business is thinking you have to do everything, from janitor to CEO,” Brausch said. “At some point, you have to learn how to scale by hiring the right people and giving up some of the day-to-day work.”In Pet Wants, Brausch says the best hires often come from the customer base itself.“They already have a passion for pets and pet nutrition,” he said. “But even then, training is critical. Your employees need to understand what success looks like and how they fit into it.”Brascetta agrees, noting: “There are so many moving parts. You need people you can delegate responsibilities to. This isn’t something you do completely on your own.”<h2>Overcoming Isolation Through Community</h2>Beyond operational challenges, franchise ownership can be taxing if owners feel isolated in the business. “It is a challenge,” Brausch said. “That’s why we focus on peer-to-peer sessions and connecting franchisees with others who are in the same position. You’re not in this alone.”Those connections can prevent burnout and accelerate problem-solving. “If there are issues you need answers to, that’s what the franchise community is here for,” he said. “Not just me, but the entire network.”For Brascetta, that sense of community is key. “It’s better to do this when you have support behind you,” she said. “You’re going to need help. It takes time financially, and you have to push through.”<h2>Playing the Long Game</h2>Perhaps the most overlooked challenge in franchising is maintaining a long-term perspective.“Having a plan in place when you purchase a franchise is incredibly important,” Brausch said. “Where do you want to be in one year, five years, 10 years? Are you building to sell? To pass it on to your children? This is long-term. You can’t just look at the next month.”That mindset shift can be difficult, especially for owners who are involved in daily operations. But for those who embrace it, franchising becomes more than a job.“You also really have to have that passion,” Brascetta said. “I wake up every day because of the pets. That’s what keeps me going. If you don’t truly care, it’s going to be very hard to push through the tough parts.”<h2>Growth Through Coachability</h2>At its core, overcoming franchise challenges comes down to humility and coachability.“Franchisees sometimes have a difficult time admitting they need help,” Brausch said. “But that’s what we’re here for. They are not in this alone.”Within Strategic Franchising Systems,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/strategicfranchising/how-strategic-franchising-systems-empowers-franchisees-with-comprehensive-marketing-and-branding-support-2727244">that philosophy is embedded into the model</a>. Challenges aren’t signs of failure, they’re expected milestones on the path to sustainable ownership.For franchisees willing to learn, ask questions and lean into the system, those challenges become the foundation for long-term success.For more information about Strategic Franchising Systems and its portfolio of necessity-based brands, visit:<a href="https://1851franchise.com/strategicfranchising/info">&nbsp;https://1851franchise.com/strategicfranchising/info</a>.

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