Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Leah English.
Laura Leah, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
In November 1996, my mother and I opened the doors to the first Pet Planet Health store in Calgary, Alberta. 12 months earlier, my husband and I had lost our 7-year-old cocker spaniel to cancer.
Reuben was a very important part of our family, however, after the cancer diagnosis, we learned that we had been completely misinformed about the differences in pet foods and treats. We didn’t know there was a difference.High profile advertising told us that the food we were feeding him, which was “recommended by top breeders and veterinarians”, was actually good for him. Those colorful biscuits he loved so much just treated, so they didn’t count. And he loved chewing on rawhide, which we bought for him at our local pet store.
Certainly, none of those things would harm him… right? I wish I knew then what I know now. I wondered why no one at the pet stores I shopped at ever told me. I wondered why those stores, that I thought I trusted, actually carried those products. Had someone explained the differences, I know I would have made different decisions.
Food is the foundation for health and longevity. A strong immune system will fight disease, and the food a pet eats can contribute significantly to strong immunity. Most health issues are well-managed with the right diet and lifestyle plan. The right plan includes high quality, nutrient-dense food, healthy treats and purposeful vitamins. All three matter. And that is what Pet Planet Ambassadors talk about every day with their customers in our stores.
Our 7 years with Reuben set the stage for a lifetime of work. Helping people make the best decisions possible about the food and treat they feed is our mission. When we discovered that we could also save pet guardians money while feeding better, our mission became that much more uncompromising.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Business is certainly not easy, but we didn’t expect it to be. When you view struggles and challenges as opportunities to be better, you can push through those times more easily. From hiring the right employees to represent the business appropriately, to working through the nuances of the industry we operate in and all of the changes associated with such an evolving, competitive and dynamic business, every day presents something slightly different.
Truthfully, being an entrepreneur can sometimes be lonely. There are times where your tenacity and enthusiasm for what you do carries you through any challenges that surface. However, there are also times where your confidence level wanes and you question what you are doing; you question your decisions. When that happens, you must find the strength inside yourself to remind yourself of your original mission and vision and reinvigorate everything about the business so you can drive-on.
An operational struggle has been remaining absolutely uncompromising about Pet Planet’s vision – what our philosophies are and how we do business. It would be more profitable to sell products like rawhide – the number one dog chew treat in the world – because it is an extremely profitable product in pet stores. But it is dangerous for our pets, and as a trusted resource to the Guardians we serve, we just will not sell it because our mission is to help pets live longer, happier and healthier lives.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Pet Planet – your pet’s natural grocer – what should we know?
Pet Planet is your pet’s natural grocer. We are a community retailer that values the relationships we have with our customers. Through knowledge and trusted products, we help our customers make the best decisions they can on the pet food, treats, chews and toys they purchase for their pets.
We specialize in the consumer experience. Making good decisions for our pets is an emotional one because they are such integral members of our families and we hold that responsibility close to our hearts. However, there is an incredible amount of false and inaccurate information available out there about what is safe or healthy. Misleading advertising, product claims, and inferior “pet grade” ingredients are prevalent everywhere. We specialize in demystifying the confusion and helping Guardians build a meal and lifestyle plan that suits their pet’s needs and fits within the family budget.
I am most proud of our uncompromising commitment to pet health and longevity, specifically how our entire Pet Planet team embraces our mission and makes it their own. That commitment reflects in the relationships they build with our customers.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My Mom – and partner – is the best partner anyone could have. Always knowing that we have each other’s support helps get us through any business challenges. Knowing she always has my back just simply makes things easier. And, of course, my husband and my father – both of whom have supported all of the good, bad and crazy decisions we’ve made along the way.
Our entire team – past, present and future. We can’t do what we do without the commitment, hard work and loyalty that they all portray, every day.
Dr. Wanda, who has been our Veterinarian since Reuben was diagnosed with cancer 23 years ago. She was one of the individuals who taught me that there are indeed differences in pet foods. She inspired my Mom and I to build a business that was better than anything that existed – to help our pets live longer, healthier lives.
Contact Info:
- Address: http://www.petplanethealth.com/store-locator/
- Website: www.petplanethealth.com
Image Credit:
Pet Planet
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