Camp Bow Wow, a leading dog care franchise, has been transforming the lives of passionate entrepreneurs across the country. Through its proven business model and unwavering support, Camp Bow Wow has empowered Camp Owners to achieve both personal fulfillment and financial success. In this blog, we will share inspiring stories of successful franchisees who have found their calling and thrived with Camp Bow Wow. These stories serve as a testament to the transformative power that a Camp Bow Wow franchise can have on individuals' lives.
Sharon and Daytheon Jeffries
Sharon Jeffries began taking her dog to Camp Bow Wow in the late 2000’s and quickly became intrigued with the business model. Her son and business partner, Daytheon, also became fascinated with the idea and the two started their outreach to Camp Bow Wow in 2009. Over the next few years, Daytheon went on to complete his Masters in Business Administration while continuing his career in brand marketing. The Jefferies signed their franchise agreement in 2014, and after many hurdles in the site search, they purchased their building and opened Camp Bow Wow of St. Charles, Missouri in 2021.
Daytheon looks back at the gap between signing and opening as a valuable learning experience. He had the opportunity to spend time visiting other Camp Bow Wow locations, learning firsthand from other owners and camp staff the business operations from customer service to managing the play yards.
When asked about advice for new and prospective camp owners Daytheon expressed the importance of proper due diligence. By thoroughly vetting current owners and shadowing their camps he was more than prepared to run a successful camp by the time they opened their doors. He emphasized that while the location and the building are crucial pieces of the puzzle, new owners should not dwell on the perfect scenario to come along and that opening your doors to pet parents and campers should be the focal point. Daytheon believes it is necessary for owners to get out of their box and comfort zone to engage the community, it takes a strong balance of creativity and consistency to attract and sustain long-term customers. As with any business, there are unexpected roadblocks, but Daytheon reiterated the need to focus on what you can control at the present time to progress the business.
Daytheon manages the camp daily from customer acquisition to play yard supervision which has allowed him to become close with both his tail-wagging campers and their parents. His active involvement in the camp has been the cornerstone of the success of Camp Bow Wow St. Charles, deepening his roots in the community and strengthening the trust of pet parents.
Looking ahead, Daytheon strives to continue to grow his market of dog parents and retire his mother, with the hope she may only occasionally check in on the camp cameras to see him dancing or singing with the pups.
Josh and Ashley Rodgers
Josh and Ashley Rodgers have been friends with Patrick Frickleton and his family for years, seeing first-hand the development of the Westport Camp Bow Wow from construction to opening. Not thrilled with their local options for boarding and daycare, they began traveling across town to the Westport camp for their own dogs.
Following the birth of their second child, Ashley took a step back from her corporate healthcare career and transitioned into real estate to have more flexibility with the family. The passion for dogs and community involvement only grew and the Rodgers decided to leverage their real estate portfolio to open their first location – Camp Bow Wow Kansas City Northland – which opened its doors in the spring of 2022.
After a successful launch of that camp, the opportunity to acquire the Lees Summit Camp in Missouri and the Loveland, Colorado Camp offered the Rodgers a fast track to expansion. The expansion recently offered Josh the opportunity to leave his corporate world behind so that both he and Ashley can work full time on their Camps. The Rodgers attribute their success of multiple camps to their standardization of processes, by instilling the same in each camp and providing their managers along with their director the tools to operate the business, they are allowed to focus on the bigger picture rather than daily oversight.
Ashley takes up the community involvement aspect of the business. The passion for canines shines through the Rodgers, they partner with a local shelter - Friends of Parkville Animal Shelter - to foster dogs in the Northland Kansas City Camp. This allows the shelter dogs to showcase their personality, socialize with other pups, and have a better chance of finding their forever homes. In fact, most of the foster pups have been adopted by Camp Counselors and are now regulars at camp! The Rodgers also sponsor various local charity events and the Kansas City Police Department canine unit.
The Rodgers thoroughly enjoy their camps and have goals of expanding the business with additional units in the coming years.
Grow With Camp Bow Wow
Each Camp Bow Wow Camp Owner brings a unique story to the table, but one common thread binds them all together: their unwavering dedication to providing exceptional care for dogs and enriching the lives of their communities. Regardless of their previous background, Camp Owners have embraced the opportunity to build businesses that align with their passions and make a positive impact on their surroundings.
As Camp Bow Wow continues to expand its reach, it leaves a trail of success stories in its wake. These stories serve as a beacon of hope for aspiring entrepreneurs, demonstrating that with hard work, dedication, and the support of a strong franchise partner, dreams can indeed turn into reality.