Franchisee Profile: Erin McBride of Hinsdale, Illinois

Name:  Erin McBride

Opening Date: March 20, 2012

Brand: Fetch! Pet Care

Location: Hinsdale, IL and surrounding area

Q: Where do you live?

A: I live in West Beverly, IL.

Q: What was your career before franchising?

A: Before franchising, I was working for the Chicago Public Schools as a project manager. Currently, I am working with Grace Educational Resources where we provide educational books to schools, which I will continue to do part-time while operating Fetch! Pet Care.

Q: How did you learn about the brand?

A: One day on the train ride home from work, I came across an article in the Red Eye about Fetch! Pet Care. Even though I was going to school for nursing at that time, I had been exploring career options in pet care. As soon as I read the article, I knew that working with Fetch! was exactly what I’d been looking for.

Q: Why did you decide to open your own business in this industry?

A: I’ve always had a passion for caring for animals of all types. The Red Eye article showed me that it really is possible to do what you love for a living. I began to research Fetch! and countless other pet franchise opportunities. I was excited to learn how successful Fetch! is in the pet industry and inspired to see how much Fetch! owner and founder, Paul Mann, loves his job.  At that point, my life changed course and I immediately began paving my way to become a business owner and pet care professional.

Q: When choosing a franchise, what were the criteria you used to make your decision and choose Fetch!?

A: I looked at other franchises that were similar to Fetch!, but overall, I realized that Fetch! was the best one out there, as I was able to work out of my home and the franchise cost was low. Their tagline is “we’ve got your tail covered” and they really do!  Fetch! has a ton of pet services like pet sitting and dog boarding, and really strive to make their pet and human customers happy. The support Fetch! provides their franchisees in phenomenal.  When Paul Mann actually called me personally to thank me for choosing Fetch!, and encouraged me to open my location, that was the deciding factor. Normally you don’t get a call from the CEO of a company, and I thought for Paul to make that connection with me was extraordinary, and it showed exactly what kind of company Fetch! was.

Q: What makes your business different?

A: I plan to market Fetch! and it’s pet sitting business to the extreme, really creating great visibility for the brand and our services so everyone in my community is aware that they have fantastic options when it comes to pet care. I personally hand pick my pet sitters and will only hire those that I would trust with my own pets. It takes a special person to dedicate their time to animals. My clients consider their pets a member of the family and it is my utmost priority to ensure the sitters caring for those pets uphold the same importance. Fetch! sitters are unique in that they provide one-on-one attention, establish a lasting, positive relationship and maintain a consistent and safe environment for the pets they serve.

Q: How does your business connect with the community?

A: I will be joining my local chamber of commerce, attending any and all pet-related events, from parades to adoption events and everything in-between, including sponsorship of such events. My pet sitters and I will partner with local shelters in the area, volunteering and advocating pet adoption, foster care and health and wellness.

Q: Are there any prominent industry trends that you are experiencing right now?

A: I think pet supply pickups and delivery, as well as pet taxi services, will be big in my territory.

Q: What are some of your achievements that you think will help you along the way in your business?

A: As a project manager for Chicago Public Schools, I believe I have great management skills, as well as fantastic customer service experience. Every job I’ve ever had has had a customer service element. Also, my love for animals is strong and deep. As long as my family has allowed me to, I’ve always fostered animals, and working in the pet care industry will only strengthen the bond I have with pets, including my customers’ pets!

Q: What are your expansion or development plans for the next year or two?

A: Within 2 years I would like to run another territory for Fetch! and, of course, increase business.

ABOUT FETCH! PET CARE

Fetch! Pet Care was founded in Berkeley, Calif., in 2002 by Paul Mann, who wanted his pets to remain in his home instead of kenneling them while he traveled. Finding no professional company suitable to the task, Mann started his own firm with the goal of providing as-needed, reliable, and loving care to pets of all kinds. Today, there are more than 3,000 Fetch! professionals operating in 1,500 U.S. communities. FETCH! Pet Care is the nation's largest and most trusted provider of professional pet sitting and dog walking services, serving thousands of pets and pet parents from coast to coast. Comprised of pet lovers turned business owners, each independently and locally owned Fetch! focuses on taking the stress out of finding a sitter and adding convenience to customer’s lives by doing all of the legwork for them. Fetch! matches you and your pets with the most qualified, experienced pet professional possible. For more information, visit www.fetchpetcare.com.