A place for paws

When Wendy Boehm sees an opportunity, she takes it—and that’s what led her and her husband, Paul, to open a Hounds Town USA franchise in Spartanburg, a national chain providing pet services for dogs and cats. The Boehms had operated a business together before and “always kicked around the idea of starting something new.” It wasn’t until they needed to find lodging for their puppy—and couldn’t—that they considered opening a doggie daycare and boarding facility. The couple began researching existing franchise companies, as the benefits of a pre-established business model appealed to them more than starting a business from scratch. It became the obvious choice when they found Hounds Town USA Spartanburg.

Industry: Animal Boarding & Daycare

Initial Challenge: Client needed help with putting together a business plan to use to apply for financial assistance. Client also needed help conducting research to better understand the industry she was entering.

Approach: Consultant had the expertise the client needed to develop a comprehensive business plan that appealed to the lender. Consultant also provided the client access to valuable resources including the student research team who provided the client a detailed market analysis.

Results:

• New Business Started

• Financing Obtained: $640,000

• Total Sales (Mar-Dec 2022): $287,440

• Jobs Created: 2 full-time; 6 part-time

The couple first pursued this venture with support from the SBA’s SCORE program in Pennsylvania. However, after numerous family visits to their daughter in South Carolina, the Boehms decided to relocate to Spartanburg in 2020 to take advantage of the state’s lower costs and less stringent regulations. There, they sought assistance from the Spartanburg Chamber of Commerce, which referred the couple to the Spartanburg Area SBDC. Wendy Boehm had begun working on her business plan and found the process challenging, so she was relieved when Business Consultants Katrina Meeks and Ben Calhoun eagerly offered their expertise.

With help and encourgement from the two consultants, Boehm developed a comprehensive business plan which she used to apply for financing. The $640,000 SBA loan she received enabled her to purchase and renovate the building she had found and provided her with working capital she could leverage once the business officially opened in February 2022.

In addition to helping Boehm make valuable connections with attorneys, contractors, banks and builders, Katrina Meeks also engaged the Clemson Region’s student research center on behalf of her client. At no cost to Boehm, the team of business school interns provided in-depth research on regional demographics and traffic patterns, which have helped Boehm make informed marketing decisions.

Hounds Town USA Spartanburg has become a thriving business in only two years. The Boehm’s owe some of that success to their opening date, February 28th, a few weeks before spring breaks, the Easter holiday, Memorial Day weekend and summer vacations—back-to-back occasions when pet owners need to board their furry friends. With the SBDC’s continued support, the Boehm’s are looking to open another location in the future.

“Katrina was a lifesaver when it came to the business plan. It was just one of those projects that I felt like I was up to my neck in. I didn’t know what direction to turn; she was very helpful.”

Wendy Boehm, Owner Hounds Town USA Spartanburg

Services Provided:

> Business Plan Development

> Marketing Research

> Financial Projections

> Access to Lenders