The Doggie Daycare and Boarding Business Thrives With a Family-Focused Approach
Serving in the U.S. Marine Corps taught Mike Collins the value of teamwork. Now, as an owner of a K9 Resorts doggie daycare and boarding franchise, he stresses the importance of close collaboration with co-owners Kim Tryon and Brendan Collins, his niece and son.
“My son and niece run the day-to-day operation, so focusing on teamwork is the priority,” Collins says. “I support the team with accounting and back-office support. They do the heavy lifting. Kim is the general manager and has responsibility for hiring our dedicated team. Brendan focuses on IT and marketing support and trains the front desk with customer focus as our top priority.”
Leadership Lessons
In addition to the military’s emphasis on teamwork, Collins says that his service in the Marine Corps also focused on the importance of training, safety and accountability, knowledge that he has found to be directly applicable to managing a business. He served as a commissioned officer with four years of active duty, primarily working in logistics areas. He was discharged at the rank of captain and worked for two different companies before he decided to enter the franchise world.
He sees many similarities between military service and running a franchise. “My experiences in the military and working for different companies are very transferable to the franchise world,” he says. “The goals are similar: impeccable teamwork, setting reasonable and executable goals, providing support to the frontline team, and celebrating their wins.”
Owning a family business comes with a unique set of benefits and potential pitfalls. “While it is a challenge to run a family business, with the proper communication it can really work,” he says. “I will say that communication, teamwork and building a motivated team is essential for success.”
Collins and his son and niece opened their location in 2019 in Mount Pleasant, S.C., which Collins describes as a dog-friendly community that has been very supportive of their business. “What attracted us to K9 Resorts is the quality of their service offering, the commitment to teamwork, the commitment to treat franchisees as partners and being results oriented,” he says.
Canine Comfort
K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotel franchises offer award-winning care for dogs in an upscale facility. Day care services, with an option for half-day or full-day sessions, allow dogs to get exercise and to socialize in a group-play environment that is carefully supervised by trained staff. For overnight boarding, pet owners can opt for premium extras such as cage-free suites and deluxe bedding. The state-of-the-art facilities are scrupulously cleaned and sanitized to ensure that dogs have a healthy environment.
Franchisees can expect comprehensive support as they get a start in the booming pet-care industry. K9 Resorts provides assistance with real estate decisions and selecting the right location, and offers robust training, both online and on-site. Franchisees also receive marketing assistance, including access to a range of digital tools, and networking opportunities.
“K9 Resorts has been great with their support,” Collins says. “However, the business is run by the business owners with the support from K9 Resorts. It is important to have the support from K9, and we treasure the relationship. Teamwork is critical in a business, and having K9 Resorts available to assist us is essential to the success of the business model.”
For other veterans who are considering franchise ownership, Collins advises recognizing the level of commitment that is necessary to run a successful business. “Make sure the franchise you are looking at is genuinely interested in your success,” he says. “Support from the franchise is key, so investigate how they will support you. Look into services that are unique and supported by the community.”
For more information about the K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotel franchise, visit the company’s website.
