Pet Franchise Ownership Can Reduce Stress
If you own a pet, you already know what many scientific studies are revealing: your pet makes you feel better. Dr. Alan M. Beck, the Director of the Center for the Human-Animal Bond at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, has identified eight ways pets benefit those who care for them, many of which likely extend to pet franchise owners who regularly interact with various pets.
- They lower blood pressure.
- They increase cardiovascular health.
- They encourage caregivers to exercise more frequently.
- They make people feel less lonely.
- They help people live in the moment.
- They fulfill human’s need for touch.
- They increase feelings of self-esteem.
- They make people laugh.
The opportunity to interact with pets at work is not the only reason why pet franchise owners may be less stressed than individuals in other careers.
“Having come from a healthcare background, I was the CEO of hospitals in Florida, my days were filled with stress and the stress was constant! I was responsible for patients, doctors, board members, community members, shareholders, and others. I knew that I had only so many years left in me working at the pace I was,” says José Morillo, who currently owns two Camp Bow Wow dog day care and boarding franchises, one in Katy and the other in Kemah, Texas. “I now spend no more than 10 hours per week at my Camp Bow Wow locations and the rest of the time doing what I enjoy: networking within the various community venues, leading business organizations, financially assisting community groups, and studying further business ventures. Although there is still a level of stress present, I will take this type of stress over what I experienced in my previous career any day of the week!”
In order to increase the chances of finding a pet franchise that will reduce your stress rather than have it go off the charts, it is important to identify one that is most likely to meet both your financial and personal objectives, which requires doing extensive due diligence.
“My wife and I had looked at a couple of other franchises when a Camp Bow Wow opened up near where we used to live in Florida,” says Morillo. “I've always been curious by nature and a dog lover to boot, we have a long-haired Chihuahua named Taco, so I went to visit it to learn more. After seeing the concept, the cleanliness, and the attention to detail related to the safety of dogs, I was hooked! I visited other Camp Bow Wow franchises, eventually went to the corporate headquarters in Broomfield, Colorado, and spoke with many Camp Bow Wow franchisees. After all the research, I knew I had found what I wanted to do.”
When asked what advice he has for franchisees to achieve success with their franchises, Morillo says, “First, fight the urge to argue points the franchisor may bring forth as avenues to success. Their franchise model is successful for a reason. It is best to listen to the experts. Secondly, know even if you invest in a manager-run franchise model, you are never completely away from your business and must never be disengaged. Every day you should be working ‘on your business’ including coming up with ways to improve sales while looking at the overall daily operation.”
Morillo opened his Camp Bow Wow Katy location in 2015 and clearly felt happy with his decision to do so since he expanded his Camp Bow Wow ownership to two locations in 2018 with the purchase of Camp Bow Wow Kemah. “For me, opening up a franchise at this point in my life was the best decision I ever made. In particular, I feel blessed to have chosen a franchise in the pet care industry because there is no doubt that this industry is in a large growth phase with no end in sight.”
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