Are you a People Person? Running a Pet Store Franchise Might be Right For You

Did you know there are roughly 1.067 million retail stores across the U.S.? That’s a pretty big number. But, considering the need for groceries, clothing, home goods, sporting equipment, and, yes, pet supplies, this isn’t all that surprising. Even with the astronomical growth and demand for eCommerce products and services, people still love to shop in stores.

So, if you’re thinking of starting a business or embracing that entrepreneurial bug that’s been festering inside you for all of these years, getting into the real business can be lucrative. And if you’re a pet owner or animal lover, then a pet store might be just the ticket. 

But before you start running off in search of the right business venture, ask yourself one question: am I a people person? If the answer is no, getting into the pet supply space might not be right. But if you said yes, then the world is your oyster, and a franchise with Pet Evolution might be in your future!

What Does it Mean to be a People Person?

What does it mean to be a people person? You may be asking yourself this question. The way we see it, a people person loves to be with and surround themselves with others. They get energized when interacting with people with similar tastes and interests. In fact, those who call themselves people-people often love to mingle with people with different perspectives and points of view, too.

We won’t get into personality assessments and all that in this article. That’s for you to uncover and see how working with people fits with who you are. But, here are some characteristics of a people person so you can see how you line up.

• Genuine Care for Other People: Those in the people person category truly care about the well-being and success of others. That’s one reason why it’s so important to have a love for people when you’re in the retail business. Whether you’re trying to motivate a team or interact with customers, you must welcome all those conversations.
• Active-Listening: You probably heard this term back in school, but it’s super important in retail. Active listening means you are focused on truly understanding what someone tells you. It means putting down that mobile device, concentrating on the conversation, responding, and remembering what was said.
• Positivity: Yes, being a people person means a lot of positivity. It means looking at things as half full rather than half empty. It means seeing the good in people and bringing out their best skills. Note: Positivity does not mean overlooking areas of opportunity.
• Flexibility: People in the people person category can adjust their approach based on how others prefer to be communicated with. They understand that not everyone might think or act the same way. This flexibility means that others will appreciate your approach and be more willing to engage and respond.
• Presence: Being a person people, especially as a franchise owner, means being visible and not hiding out in the back office. Sure, there’s always back office work, but taking care of your employees and being present for your customers is always a priority. 

Can Franchise Owners Hire Someone Else to Run the Front of the Store?

You may think that you want to get into the retail business for the prosperity and financial growth. While being a franchise owner can be quite profitable, it’s important that you don’t think of this type of business as one where you can work in the background. Being a franchise owner and working in retail means being visible to your employees, customers, and even out in the community. 

So, while hiring someone else to run the front of the store and all customer and employee operations is possible, this is not a good idea. In addition to cutting into your profits by hiring incremental staff that wouldn’t otherwise be necessary, it can damage your store’s reputation.

Consider this: Customers love to shop locally. A market report from Gitnux indicates that 73.6% of people in the U.S. like to shop locally because it’s good for the American economy. And, people love to know that they are doing good for businesses that are employing people in the company. But here’s what some people often overlook: People like to shop locally because they engage with the owner and employees who are fully invested in selling a great product and offering outstanding customer service.

So, to return to the question of whether franchise owners can hire someone else to run the front of the store, the answer is no, not really.

I’m a People Person! Can I Be a Franchise Owner?

We hope you’re reading this article and screaming inside your head that, yes, you are a people person, and you have an entrepreneurial spirit. That’s what we’re looking for in future franchisees with Pet Evolution. 

Use the following as a quick checklist to see if franchise ownership is a good fit for you.

• Passion for Pets: First and foremost, you have to love pets! Our customers love their pets and treat them as beloved family members. Pet Evolution franchise owners must love their customers’ pets as much as their owners do (or close to it).
• Business Acumen: While we talked a lot about spending time in the front of the store with employees and customers, there are still plenty of back-office things to do. So yes, you do need some business skills to succeed in the retail business space.
• Financial Readiness: Buying a franchise does mean you have to have the funds available or the ability to take out a small business loan. You can learn more about the costs of starting a Pet Evolution franchise on our FAQ.
• Love for the Community: As a franchise owner, you need to be present in the community. This might mean being involved in local business associations. And, it means you’ll want to participate in community events that can help create brand awareness and an affinity for shopping at your store versus elsewhere.

Ready to Get Started with a Pet Evolution Franchise?

Are you thinking you’re the perfect people person to start the next Pet Evolution franchise? If so, we want to hear from you. Start by looking at our location map to see where we have locations and decide if you have a great place in mind. Then, click on Get Started. We can’t wait to meet you and discuss all the benefits that we have to offer.