1851

It all started when Kathy Haigh and her husband, John, received a bird feeder as a wedding present. For years they enjoyed feeding their backyard birds in Billings, Montana while raising their kids. Kathy was from the area, and the two often took trips to Northern Montana to visit John&rsquo;s family, who were avid outdoor enthusiasts. The natural stopping point along the route was a <a href="https://franchise.wbu.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-rare-instance-when-business-and-nature-co-exist-2703529" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Wild Birds Unlimited</a> store where they&rsquo;d buy feed and seed. &nbsp;That was how they first became familiar with the WBU products and services.

Back at home, Kathy worked as a medical transcriptionist while putting herself through school and raising a family with John. Eventually, she earned an undergraduate degree in business and later an MBA and master&rsquo;s degree in human resources management.

&ldquo;I was a late bloomer,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;I earned my undergraduate degree in business in my 30&rsquo;s, and I had to take a lab science. I chose ornithology, the study of birds, because I thought it would be easier than the other choices! We had to go on &lsquo;field trips&rsquo; every Saturday at 4 a.m. That part wasn&rsquo;t easy, but I loved it.&rdquo;

After finishing her first degree, Kathy looked online at business opportunities. When she found out that <a href="https://wildbirdsunlimited.1851franchise.com/info/index.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-rare-instance-when-business-and-nature-co-exist-2703529" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Wild Birds Unlimited</a> was a franchise, she contacted the franchise support center right away. Kathy and John went through the full Wild Birds Unlimited franchise development process which culminated in a trip to to the Franchise Support Center in &nbsp;Indianapolis to meet Paul Pickett, now chief development officer, Jim Carpenter, the founder and CEO&nbsp; and the rest of the franchise team During this trip they gained final approval to move forward on their dream of joining the Wild Birds Unlimited franchise system.

&ldquo;I could have gone into banking or big box retail. This is nothing like that. Within our four walls, we bring connection and passion to our customers&rsquo; lives. We are doing things for nature and for birds. I am responsible for myself and where I want to go with my career. I have a great store team and a great corporate team. Jim has done a terrific job of creating a corporate team that is forward thinking. I have enjoyed every minute of being a franchisee.&rdquo;

Kathy&rsquo;s store is even certified by Wild Birds Unlimited as a training store. This certification allows the Haighs to host new franchisees right in their store for a week of hands-on training in day-to-day store operations.&nbsp; Kathy most recently trained a couple opening a store in Richland, Washington later this year.

&ldquo;Over time, we have adapted all of WBU&rsquo;s best practices, and our successes are based on that. We like to go out and share with other store owners. You can mentor new owners and instill what a wonderful difference they will make in themselves and in their community,&rdquo; said Kathy.

&ldquo;The benefit for me is the satisfaction that I&rsquo;ve been able to instill in them a sense that they have the ability to control their own destiny. We learn and get ideas from each other. What works in one market may also work well in another.&rdquo;

&nbsp;Kathy is the main operator and John works in the store part-time. Kathy&rsquo;s children, the youngest two of whom were teenagers when the store opened, are now grown and help out in the store as needed along with their grandchildren&nbsp; .

When asked what she likes most about the store, Kathy loves the atmosphere and the store&rsquo;s sign that says &ldquo;take a nature break.&rdquo;

&ldquo;The nature music mixed with the store&rsquo;s friendly staff draws in customers,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;We have friendly staff who listen to stories of how your chicks just hatched or how you saw a hummingbird for the first time after being in your home for 30 years and now need a feeder. We are eager and excited with you. You can&rsquo;t get the same experience online or at other stores.&rdquo;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Wild Birds Unlimited Montana, Kathy Haigh,

The Rare Instance When Business and Nature Co-Exist

1851 Franchise

How self-described ‘late bloomer,’ Kathy Haigh, co-owner of the Billings MT Wild Birds Unlimited franchise, found her career calling later in life

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. 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

the-rare-instance-when-business-and-nature-co-exist

Children's Lighthouse

Why Children’s Lighthouse Is a Great Opportunity for Swim School Franchisees

why-childrens-lighthouse-is-a-great-opportunity-for-swim-school-franchisees

Children’s Lighthouse Closes the Third Quarter with Record Franchise Signings and New School Opening

childrenslighthouse-q3-2025-growth

Pet Wants

How Pet Wants Is Redefining the Customer Experience in the Pet Industry

pet-wants-redefining-customer-experience

Jollibee

How Much Can You Really Make With a Jollibee Franchise? Inside the Numbers of Item 19

how-much-can-you-really-make-with-a-jollibee-franchise-inside-the-numbers-of-item-19

United Water Restoration Group

United Water Restoration Group Opens New Locations and Expands Digital Tools in Q3

united-water-restoration-group-franchise-q3-2025

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Thursday 1851 Franchise Agg - NASAA’s Noncompete Push

NASAA’s Noncompete Push Puts Franchise Growth on Uncertain Ground

franchise-noncompete-nasaa-advisory-reasonableness-standard

How a Steady Economy Could Help Franchisors Plan Their Next Move

how-a-steady-economy-could-help-franchisors-plan-their-next-move

Bed Bath & Beyond - Franchise Expansion - Retail Strategy - 1851 Franchise

Bed Bath & Beyond Launches Franchise Model as Part of Comeback Strategy

bed-bath-beyond-franchise-expansion-retail-strategy

Senior Entrepreneurship - Franchising - 1851 Franchise

Senior Entrepreneurship Is Rising — And Franchising Is a Key Outlet

senior-entrepreneurship-franchising-silver-startups

U.S. Government Shutdown - Impact on Franchises - 1851 Franchise

Government Shutdown Stalls SBA Loans: How the Shutdown Could Impact Franchises

government-shutdown-impacts-sba-loans-tourism-franchises

image of jerome hanway from right at home Las Cruces, New Mexico 1851 franchise franchisee spotlight

Jerome Hanway Is Building His Right at Home Franchise Around His Mission To Serve

right-at-home-franchise-las-cruces-jerome-hanway

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Barb Volk and KidStrong logo

Why This Orangetheory Fitness Franchise Owner Is Developing KidStrong Franchises

kidstrong-franchise-owner-barb-volk-2025

graphic image of an 1851 franchisee spotlight brayden and johnny steven of teriyaki madness

Father-and-Daughter Team Bring Teriyaki Madness to Wichita, Kansas, With Big Expansion Plans

johnny-brayden-steven-teriyaki-madness-wichita

1851 Franchisee Spotlight with photo of Mike Rippey and Sola Salons logo

How This Former Franchisor Is Using His Industry Experience To Help Beauty Pros Thrive With Sola Salons Franchise

mike-rippey-sola-salons-franchisee

A Practical Playbook: Who To Call First When Franchising Your Business

franchising-your-business-who-to-call-first

NJCAR v. Ford - New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

new-jersey-franchise-practices-act-njcar-v-ford

image of franchise deep dive from 1851 franchise on doody calls franchise authority brands

DoodyCalls Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

doodycalls-franchise-deep-dive

The Rare Instance When Business and Nature Co-Exist

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS