After more than four decades of combined service in the U.S. Air Force, Jennifer and Arty Flecker were ready for a mission that would allow them to apply their leadership experience in a completely new way. That mission ultimately led them to business ownership with Woofie’s, the mobile dog grooming franchise, where they are now building a fast-growing pet care business in Concord-Manchester, New Hampshire.
“We were both Air Force and retired out of that after over two decades. We were both jet engine mechanics,” Jennifer said. “We thought we could rely on our leadership and managerial backgrounds to do something for ourselves, and that led us to franchising.”
Like many veterans exploring entrepreneurship for the first time, the Fleckers were introduced to franchising through veteran-specific resources.
“I first saw the opportunity through the VA,” Arty said. “They send out a newsletter and they match veterans with franchises. They do some screening and then they give you a few options that fit your needs.”
Out of those options, Woofie’s quickly became the clear choice.
“Woofie’s really stood out because the initial communication with the team was great,” Arty said. “They seemed like they were there to support us and help us. The brand was emerging too, so we knew we’d be the only one in the state. There was more risk, but we thought we could benefit from a fresh market. Of course, we also love dogs, so it seemed like a great fit.”
While the Fleckers didn’t have a history in professional pet care, they soon realized that their military experience was invaluable. “The experience we had with building teams and managing operations really lent itself to how we run our business,” Jennifer said.
For Arty, leadership was one of the biggest carryovers.
“The military taught us how to be a good leader and how to treat your team members and what makes an employee want to work for you,” he said. “You want them to be glad that they work with you and are willing to come and help you with the business. You really learn that in the military, and that helped a lot.”
That structure, combined with the flexibility of business ownership, has been key to their transition. “We are used to the structure of the military, and Woofie’s gave us that structure but also the freedom to be as successful as you want to be,” Arty said. “The hard work that you learn in the military definitely applies to entrepreneurship.”
Since launching their business in 2025, the Fleckers have seen strong early momentum.
“We’ve been pretty successful — our month-over-month growth has been 28%, which is pretty high for a new business,” Jennifer said. “The response from the community has been so positive — no one really knew this type of service existed. When people find out about us, they love it.”
Another key factor in their success has been the ongoing support from the Woofie’s and Authority Brands teams, as well as the broader franchise network. “You are really like a family here,” Arty said. “We recently went to the conference, and it felt like a reunion of friends.”
That culture of collaboration and accessibility has made a meaningful impact on their day-to-day operations. “They are there to support us, from the smallest question to the most complex,” he said. “They are also open to listening to us if we have a suggestion.”
For Jennifer, that level of support has been especially valuable as a first-time business owner. “I was not a business major in school, so entering into the ‘being your own boss’ mindset can be tough,” she said. “Having the resources of the franchise is very important — even for simple things like learning what a P&L is.”
Looking ahead, the Fleckers are focused on growth. “Our goal is to expand New Hampshire as much as we can, and then possibly open another location in a different state,” Arty said. “We also have adult children that live in Virginia, so our goal is to open a location there. That is a few years down the road.”
But beyond expansion, they are also thinking long-term about legacy. “We want to hand this down one day,” Jennifer said. “Woofie’s is very much built to be a family business and something that you can pass down. Veterans who are jumping into this — the faster you do it, the bigger it will be to pass it down to your family in the future!”
Arty’s advice is even more direct. “I also think you should start earlier than you think,” he said. “The family aspect is amazing. Jen and I get to see each other every day, which is great. You can really get more satisfaction from running your own business and being successful together.”
For the Fleckers, that all-in mentality is nothing new. It’s the same mindset that defined their military careers — and now, it’s driving their success as franchise owners.
For more information on franchising with Woofie’s, visit: https://1851franchise.com/woofies.
Woofie's
SPONSORED
Air Force veterans Jennifer and Arty Flecker used their military leadership to drive rapid growth for their Woofie’s mobile dog grooming franchise in New Hampshire.
After more than four decades of combined service in the U.S. Air Force, Jennifer and Arty Flecker were ready for a mission that would allow them to apply their leadership experience in a completely new way. That mission ultimately led them to business ownership with Woofie’s, the mobile dog grooming franchise, where they are now building a fast-growing pet care business in Concord-Manchester, New Hampshire.
“We were both Air Force and retired out of that after over two decades. We were both jet engine mechanics,” Jennifer said. “We thought we could rely on our leadership and managerial backgrounds to do something for ourselves, and that led us to franchising.”
Like many veterans exploring entrepreneurship for the first time, the Fleckers were introduced to franchising through veteran-specific resources.
“I first saw the opportunity through the VA,” Arty said. “They send out a newsletter and they match veterans with franchises. They do some screening and then they give you a few options that fit your needs.”
Out of those options, Woofie’s quickly became the clear choice.
“Woofie’s really stood out because the initial communication with the team was great,” Arty said. “They seemed like they were there to support us and help us. The brand was emerging too, so we knew we’d be the only one in the state. There was more risk, but we thought we could benefit from a fresh market. Of course, we also love dogs, so it seemed like a great fit.”
While the Fleckers didn’t have a history in professional pet care, they soon realized that their military experience was invaluable. “The experience we had with building teams and managing operations really lent itself to how we run our business,” Jennifer said.
For Arty, leadership was one of the biggest carryovers.
“The military taught us how to be a good leader and how to treat your team members and what makes an employee want to work for you,” he said. “You want them to be glad that they work with you and are willing to come and help you with the business. You really learn that in the military, and that helped a lot.”
That structure, combined with the flexibility of business ownership, has been key to their transition. “We are used to the structure of the military, and Woofie’s gave us that structure but also the freedom to be as successful as you want to be,” Arty said. “The hard work that you learn in the military definitely applies to entrepreneurship.”
Since launching their business in 2025, the Fleckers have seen strong early momentum.
“We’ve been pretty successful — our month-over-month growth has been 28%, which is pretty high for a new business,” Jennifer said. “The response from the community has been so positive — no one really knew this type of service existed. When people find out about us, they love it.”
Another key factor in their success has been the ongoing support from the Woofie’s and Authority Brands teams, as well as the broader franchise network. “You are really like a family here,” Arty said. “We recently went to the conference, and it felt like a reunion of friends.”
That culture of collaboration and accessibility has made a meaningful impact on their day-to-day operations. “They are there to support us, from the smallest question to the most complex,” he said. “They are also open to listening to us if we have a suggestion.”
For Jennifer, that level of support has been especially valuable as a first-time business owner. “I was not a business major in school, so entering into the ‘being your own boss’ mindset can be tough,” she said. “Having the resources of the franchise is very important — even for simple things like learning what a P&L is.”
Looking ahead, the Fleckers are focused on growth. “Our goal is to expand New Hampshire as much as we can, and then possibly open another location in a different state,” Arty said. “We also have adult children that live in Virginia, so our goal is to open a location there. That is a few years down the road.”
But beyond expansion, they are also thinking long-term about legacy. “We want to hand this down one day,” Jennifer said. “Woofie’s is very much built to be a family business and something that you can pass down. Veterans who are jumping into this — the faster you do it, the bigger it will be to pass it down to your family in the future!”
Arty’s advice is even more direct. “I also think you should start earlier than you think,” he said. “The family aspect is amazing. Jen and I get to see each other every day, which is great. You can really get more satisfaction from running your own business and being successful together.”
For the Fleckers, that all-in mentality is nothing new. It’s the same mindset that defined their military careers — and now, it’s driving their success as franchise owners.
For more information on franchising with Woofie’s, visit: https://1851franchise.com/woofies.
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