In business, the entrepreneur has assumed the role of a sort of trailblazer. In Pet Services the petpreneur is the driving force for industry change and innovation.

At Splash and Dash, our motto is “Because they’re Family” and this is fitting as each of our location partners, as well as our corporate support team, are all passionate pet parents who proudly embrace the “crazy dog mom” and “dog dad” titles.

In the U.S nearly half of American households own dogs. That’s an estimated 90 million canine companions, and year-over-year the numbers continue to rise.

“Running a pet based franchise business means that you can combine a passion with a sustainable future – a true dream job!” says Dan J. Baron, founder of Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutiques, an upscale doggy spa franchise business offering membership grooming services since 2015.

So what is a petpreneuer?

A petpreneuer is a pet lover who recognizes the massive opportunity that the pet industry presents. A petpreneuer understands the value and potential that a small business of their own can have and how this can positively impact their lifestyles. Petprenuers are totally focused on evolving with their market. This is the key to success for any industry or any entrepreneur.

What is it that makes the world of animal services attractive for both franchisees and franchisors?

It’s not surprising that pet-service businesses have been popping up in every strip mall and community over the past decade, and since many of the successful ones have emerged into the world of franchising. From pet sitting and dog walking to boarding and grooming and even animal photography, there are countless businesses out there that cater to the obsession around pet parenting.

What is it particularly that makes the world of animal services so attractive for both franchisors and franchisees?

First, pet service businesses are scalable and teachable. The glory of a pet-related business is that they are simple, straightforward, and process-oriented. This allows them the ability to be replicated by another person in another region. A new franchisee can be trained completely on operations and no prior industry experience is necessary. This makes earning money from the business predictable. Pet-related businesses are unlikely to be significantly affected by regional or geographical variations, making it a model that is suitable for expansion and at a significant scale.

The next factor is passion. Passion drives profits in pet services. When an individual invests their hard-earned cash into a business, many expect alignment with their own passions and interests. A pet franchise presents an opportunity to build a business around an obsession for animals. In many cases, pet business owners share, understand, and embody the same passion that their customers have for their dogs and this synergy seamlessly creates community and local brand enthusiasts.

Another significant factor strengthening pet franchise businesses are lifestyle benefits. All professionals are on a never-ending hunt for the ideal work-life balance, which sometimes can feel unachievable or nonexistent. More and more of us are looking for flexible working opportunities and opportunities where we can work from home. Pet franchise ownerships allow the location partner to operate the business from a home office – working on your business but not always in your business.

The next factor that can’t be ignored and makes pet businesses a dream job within reach is the cost. Although some pet franchises involve significant costs, many do not. In the franchising industry, most pet franchises are relatively competitive in cost in comparison to fitness or food opportunities. Pet care has proven itself resilient in times of financial hardship or economic uncertainty, pet businesses are often coined as “essential” or “recession-proof”. 

Why franchise instead of an independent brick & mortar, digital, or mobile businesses? 

Pet businesses are becoming increasingly legislation-heavy and technology is growing and changing at an unprecedented rate. Although these are both positive things, they can be daunting roadblocks to individuals looking to enter the pet marketplace for the first time. Joining a franchise or proven business network means that the behind-the-scenes operational needs are covered.

In the fast-growing pet franchise marketplace, Splash and Dash continues to keep innovating in order to remain relevant and competitive. For pet lovers with a passion for business, consider petpreneurship as a path towards personal success and professional satisfaction.