Educator Entrepreneur Shares Firsthand Experience of Dog Training Elite’s Impact

Josephine’s passion for education and helping families develop and grow, combined with her love for dogs, led her to start her own business in Florida. She has made it her mission to share her firsthand experience of how dogs can change your life for the better with others, and helps her clients build a stronger bond with their dogs.

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

Josephine Petrolo: My diverse background includes corporate business development, retail management, teaching and leadership coaching. I'm an entrepreneur by nature and sold my Air B&B Superhost business to purchase a Dog Training Elite* Franchise. I believe that franchises have a proven business model that can help entrepreneurs succeed by shortening the learning curve.

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?

Petrolo: As an entrepreneur, I was always looking for opportunities to grow, develop and invest. Starting a coaching business from scratch, I had to create systems that work. This often led to thousands of dollars of trial and error. What I’ve learned over the years is that franchises often have a proven business model developed to help you succeed. 

With the proven model and support you receive from the franchise, it typically makes the learning curve shorter and saves you money. You spend less time trying to figure out if a marketing strategy works because the franchisor has already tried the strategy and can lead you in the right direction.

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

Petrolo: I chose Dog Training Elite because of its professional and family-owned status, with over 40 years of experience. I appreciate how the company strengthens the bond between dogs and their families, and am impressed by their community involvement and impact. I plan to hire a team with the same values, and my mission is to help others live their best life with their companions.

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

Petrolo: My goal is to hire and build a team with the same values and passions, while we help others live their best life with their dogs. It’s stressful when pets and their owners can’t communicate. Being able to save a dog from going back to the shelter by helping its owner understand how to interact with it properly, is amazing. I believe that the best things in life are possible. 

As for growth, I intend to grow organically through referrals from clients, and soon provide our clients with an Elite Training Camp facility they can visit with their dog.

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

Petrolo: There was a period in my life when I experienced trauma and severe panic attacks. I just wanted the pain and suffering to end. It was Lexi, my first dog, that took my focus off the pain and made me reconsider getting up and out into the world again. With time, I felt so relieved, my family and friends saw a significant change in my behavior: a reduced number of outbursts, a better attitude and perspective on life, and my decision not to give up on life. All because of this little Bichon Frisé puppy. 

It’s amazing what dogs can do in our lives. Having Lexi gave me purpose and someone else to live and care for. After that, I set out on a mission to share with other caregivers and teachers my personal struggles and how this new companion helped me stay grounded. I became a best-selling author of “The Joyful Caregiver: 8 Steps to Prevent Caregiver Burnout”.

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

Petrolo: Know your values and mission and align yourself with a franchise company that has the same values and mission as you. Find a company that is willing to do whatever it takes to help you succeed. I saw that in Dog Training Elite, and that was the ‘aha’ moment for me. 

The total initial investment necessary to begin the operation of a Dog Training Elite business is $126,900–$147,750, including an $84,500 franchise fee for two territories, a $110,000 franchise fee for three territories and a $175,000 franchise fee for five territories. For more information, visit https://dogtrainingelite.com/franchise.