All of it got here right down to Augie.
When Jaclynn and Evan Berna weighed choices for getting into the franchising house, they gravitated towards Pet Needs as a result of they liked animals and appreciated the concept of an organization providing contemporary, wholesome meals choices for canine and cat homeowners.
First, although, the choice needed to be Augie-approved. Confronted with the “Pet Needs Problem,” their 5-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback had the ultimate say.
“He is an angel,” Jaclynn Berna mentioned. “100-pound lap canine.”
The “Pet Needs Problem” is straightforward. Put a cup of a canine’s ordinary meals subsequent to a cup of Pet Needs meals and see which one they need extra.
With Augie the selection was clear.
“He went straight to the Pet Needs meals and ate it,” Jaclynn Berna mentioned. “Then he stored watching me like he needed extra of it. We transitioned him to Pet Needs full time and he loves it.”
The Woodridge couple’s transition to beginning a Pet Needs franchise additionally moved rapidly. In July they started conversations with firm representatives. They bought married in September, signed a franchise settlement in December, skilled in January and began delivering to clients in February.
They did all of it whereas sustaining their jobs within the logistics business.
Their territory is technically Naperville and Warrenville, however they ship past these borders as a result of there aren’t another franchisees close by. In Could they will open a retail store at 630 E. Ogden Ave. in Naperville.
“As an alternative of going to all these massive shops, you should purchase from a small, domestically owned enterprise with a wholesome and nutritious model and product,” Evan Berna mentioned. “We would like it to be comfy and gratifying for folks to allow them to hold their pets wholesome and glad.”
Till they open the Naperville retailer, the first enterprise mannequin is supply. Prospects can purchase what they need when they need it, or they’ll begin a subscription for meals and treats on the Pet Needs web site.
The meals is shipped contemporary from Cincinnati, and stock is turned over inside a month or two. The meals begins contemporary and might keep that approach as a result of clients can purchase by the pound. They do not need to buy 25-pound luggage.
Pet Needs choices embrace salmon, duck, whitefish, hen, lamb and different major components. The Bernas mentioned the additional protein means they’re feeding Augie three cups a day as an alternative of the 4 cups they served him along with his earlier meals.
Because the Bernas settle into the market, they’re in search of publicity main as much as the opening of their retailer. They’re signing up for farmers’ markets, cruise nights and mall kiosks to get the phrase out.
“There are such a lot of pet shops which are the identical now,” Jaclynn Berna mentioned. “To have one which’s totally different in the kind of meals it has and the standard of meals actually was attention-grabbing to us.”
Supply hyperlink
