How to Start and Grow a Pawfitable Pet Biz
If you’re looking to start a business in a booming market and feel great about the work that you do, it’s hard to find an industry with a more compassionate, enthusiastic consumer base than the pet industry.
In 2021, pet parents spent $123.6 billion on their pets in the United States, and the industry is expected to continue to grow at a healthy pace! There are incredible opportunities, and a wide variety of niches within in the pet services industry. If you've ever considered having your own pawfitable pet biz, there's never been a better time to get started!
Here are 6 steps to help you start and grow your own successful, pawfitable pet biz.
Step 1: Find Your Niche
The pet industry is a broad market, and there are many ways that you can go. Before you start your pet business, consider what skills you have to offer, and what area you’re most interested in.
If you have animal care experience, pet sitting or dog walking could be a great option for you. Likewise, if you’re an avid crafter, an eCommerce business selling pet-related craft items could be the best route for you.
Here are a variety of pet business niches to consider:
- Dog trainer
- Pet sitter/dog walker
- Pet treat bakery
- Pet boutique
- Pet groomer
- Drop-shipping pet products
- Pet blogger
- Pet photographer
Step 2: Do the Market Research
Once you’ve figured out what type of pet business to create, it’s time to research your market and learn more about your target market.
Take a closer look at your competition and what they’re offering. This helps you get a better idea of what your target market is already willing to pay for, and it’s also a great opportunity to look for gaps in the market.
Learn as much as possible about your target market, and then ask yourself what your competition is not offering that your target market would be interested in. This is how you’ll differentiate yourself from the competition.
Step 3: Build Your Business Structure
Now that you’ve done the research, it’s time to decide what your business is, what you’ll offer, and how you’ll structure your products or services.
Before you do anything, it's important to develop your Unique Selling Point (USP), where you clearly identify what differentiates you and your services from your competition. What makes your services or products stand out? What makes you unique? What attracts your customers to you, your services, or products?
You’ll also want to focus on your “why,” or your brand story. Customers want to buy products and services, but they also want to purchase from companies and individuals they believe in.
Answer these questions:
- Why is your business important?
- What is your mission?
- What are your company values?
Step 4: Create a Visual Identity
Now that you better understand your brand story and your USP, it’s time to create a visual identity that matches.
First, you’ll need a memorable pet business name. While you want something unique, you also want a name that’s easy for your customers to remember and pronounce. Ideally, it will also be a name that conveys what you do.
Once you’ve settled on a name, it’s time for a logo, color scheme, and—if applicable—packaging design. While you can design these elements yourself using a tool like Canva, it’s helpful to partner with a professional who can help elevate your business to a new level.
You want your visuals to not only represent you and your business well, but also align with what your target market is interested in, and what they expect from a business like yours.
Step 5: Set Up (Virtual) Shop!
Now the real fun begins! It’s time to get your online shop up and running. While you can pursue a brick-and-mortar business, it’s also helpful for you to start with an online presence before making that leap to in-person retail.
There are a variety of platforms that you can use to set up your shop, and the one you choose will depend on your personal preference and budget. A few popular eCommerce platforms include:
- Shopify
- Squarespace
- Square
- WooCommerce (with a WordPress Site)
- Adobe Commerce
Some of these options will require more hands-on web development experience, like Adobe Commerce, so choose a platform that you’re comfortable with unless you can pay for a professional web developer.
Regardless of your platform, you will want to purchase your own personal domain name. This adds credibility to your website, and it also makes you more searchable on Google. Once you’ve purchased a domain, you can easily connect it to whatever platform you’re using.
Along with your virtual shop, you’ll also want to set up shop legally with your state. While the laws will differ from state to state, you’ll need to register your business and get a Tax ID if you plan to sell anything.
Step 6: Market Yourself
Now that you have your shop up and running, it’s time to start marketing to bring in business! How you decide to market yourself will depend on your target market and what you’re comfortable with, but it’s important to create a solid plan.
The most effective marketing strategies use a few different techniques together to reach potential customers. You can:
- Use social media
- Use paid advertising
- Create a blog
- Build an email list
- Pursue PR opportunities like influencer marketing
- Set up a booth at a local market
- Network with other local pet businesses
Whatever methods you choose, consistency is key. Show up for your business regularly, whether that’s on social media, or at your local farmer’s market, to build awareness of your new business and showcase what makes you special.
What Kind of Pet Business Is Right for You?
While this article has gone over a few of the basic steps for starting and growing your pet business, everyone’s path to success will look different.
Explore your interests and focus on your “why” for starting a pet business. This will not only help differentiate you from the competition, but it will also help guide you through business decisions. Let your “why” fuel you as you create your business plan and set up shop.
