From grooming to big box stores, most pet industry concepts are built around dogs. But for Pet Wants franchisee Jody Grant of Miamisburg, Ohio, finding her stride as a business owner actually started when she leaned into focusing on the often-overlooked customer base of cat owners.
"There is a whole different cat community out there," Grant says in the article. "Their animals are just as near and dear as the dog owners."
Her approach starts with the same philosophy Pet Wants applies across its product line: complete, high-quality formulas built for each life stage, without unnecessary fillers. But cats bring a different set of challenges than dogs when it comes to feeding and that's exactly where Grant's expertise shines. Cats are notoriously selective eaters, and they don't always seek out water on their own, which makes hydration a bigger conversation than most pet owners expect. Grant walks customers through protein needs by life stage too, since older cats often benefit from higher protein, wet-food-forward diets. It's the kind of detail that turns a routine purchase into a conversation, and turns a one-time shopper into a repeat customer who trusts the recommendations they're getting. Those conversations also often lead to larger sales because, once customers understand the reasoning behind a recommendation, they're more likely to add complementary products like water fountains, treats, and supplements to their cart.
A recent feature from 1851 Franchise digs into how Grant turned cat nutrition education into a genuine sales advantage for her boutique pet food franchise. Read the full feature here: "How Cat Nutrition Helps Drive Sales for Pet Wants Franchises."