Pet Wants
Michele Hobbs, Founding Owner of Pet Wants
Coming up on their 15 year anniversary, Pet Wants has retained every bit of its original business plan to bring the best and freshest pet food to the doorsteps of their customers.
Their flagship location flanks the North Breezeway near the Farm Shed, and their storefront is a welcome landing place for not only you, but your pets, as you enter Findlay Market.
When Michele Hobbs wanted to start a business at Findlay Market in 2010, she spotted a corner storefront across from Eckerlin Meats with its lights off and a sign taped to the door that said, “Vacation - be back in 2 weeks.”
Two months later, the lights were still off. Meanwhile at home, Michele’s dog was experiencing skin issues that weren’t resolving with the vet’s treatment recommendations, and Michele decided to take matters into her own hands. She believed her dog was allergic to gluten so she did some research on Celiac disease to get a better understanding of how gluten affects those who are sensitive or allergic to it.
She confirmed that her dog’s skin irritation was likely due to the gluten in his food, so she set out to find a local business that would make her a big batch of grain-free dog food. When she finally found one, she placed a huge order totaling $2,400, and the business owners wrongly believed they’d never hear from Michele again.
She knew she had carved out a solution for her dog’s skin problems and likely wasn’t the only pet owner experiencing such frustrations. Michele has a penchant for creating businesses that fill a need in the community. There was no dog food that supported her pet’s needs, so she sought it out and built a business around it. Shortly after opening her business at Findlay Market, she and her staff expanded their selection beyond dry food to healthy treats, coat care, toys and a ton more. From early on, fresh pet food delivery was a cornerstone of their business plan, and something that set Pet Wants apart from the competition.
“People go to pet food stores, and buy the biggest bag they can. Then you lug it home, and you find a place to shove it, and you can take some out, roll the bag up. By the time you get about three quarters of the way down, your dog or cat stops eating it because it's been opened and closed so many times. It's really old, and most dogs stop eating it. And I'm fixing that. I'm solving that problem.”
Beyond their offerings, Pet Wants’ staff is reputable for knowing and loving your pets right along with you. Pets are more than welcome in Pet Wants’ storefronts - they’re encouraged. And they’ll be met with open arms and a treat for good measure. Michele recalls watching back the camera footage from her Vine Street location to see a dog pulling their owner toward Pet Wants’ storefront, and firmly planting themselves in the doorway even though the shop was closed that day. It’s clear this is no ordinary pet store.
Caring for others is practically baked into the business plan at Pet Wants. Michele, impressively, has several staff members who have been with the company for a decade or more. This is due in part to Michele listening to her staff’s needs and doing her best to meet them. Many of her veteran employees are on a set schedule and have been for years. Every staff member enjoys annual raises no matter what. It’s an equitable relationship.
“People will say their business is like family. Bullsh*t! It’s not like family. Family is cutthroat. We are in a relationship. I do what I’m supposed to do, and [my employees] do what they’re supposed to do to uphold the relationship. The moment that stops happening, we can part ways. My thing is - you stay in joy, and leave in peace.”
Published January 2025