AFTER seven years of frustration with subpar grooming services for her beloved dog Franz, young entrepreneur Keisha Myers took matters into her own hands and founded Franzpets, a dog grooming business dedicated to providing top-notch care for furry friends.

“I realised that there was a void in the industry that needed to be filled so I decided to take a leap of faith, not knowing anything about what grooming is like or what the grooming industry entails,” said Keisha Myers, founder of Franzpets.

During an interview with the Jamaica Observer, Keisha Myers, with a large photo of her pet Franz prominently displayed in her office, explained that she founded Franz Pets on the principle of providing the kind of service she would want for her beloved pet. From one pet parent to another, Franzpets promises to cater not only to pets but also to their owners.

“When I was living with my mother she wouldn’t allow me to have an inside dog, so I had to keep them outside. When I got older and moved out I got my first indoor dog, which was Franz, so he taught me a different level of caring for a pet,” Myers said.

Myers was frustrated by the difficulty of communicating with groomers, who often assumed she wanted her dog shaved completely, leaving her pet looking unrecognisable.

“Sometimes you just want to give them a little trim and let them look cute,” she explained to Sunday Finance.

And with no prior knowledge or formal training in grooming, a frustrated Myers embarked on a new venture in 2021, launching a dog grooming business. Undeterred, she invested time in research and hired an expert to guide her. Through dedication and hands-on learning Myers fairly mastered the use of shears and scissors, eventually taking on some grooming tasks alongside her hired groomer.

Securing a location proved challenging, as many property owners were hesitant to host an animal-related business in their malls or plazas. However, Myers persisted and finally secured a spot at Shop 13, Central Plaza, in Portmore, thanks to a family friend. After reassuring the plaza owner that she would keep the dogs indoors, she acquired one of the largest shops on the premises. The entire set-up — including equipment, cages, and décor — cost an estimated $1.2 million.

The design of the location also meant to accommodate light entertainment for owners while they wait, a feature that was very important to Myers. As an owner she often found herself restricted to only dropping off her pet, leaving, and returning later. She therefore wanted to create a welcoming space where owners could relax and wait while their pets received grooming services.

Once bothered by the lengthy wait time to collect her dog, Keisha Myers has now realised, since being in the industry, that dogs can present quite a task as it relates to keeping still. However, she has taken a more unconventional approach with her dog grooming services. After recognising that many pets are afraid or have been traumatised by past grooming sessions, including her own pet Franz, Myers has created a supportive environment. When pets aren’t being groomed they are allowed to freely run around and get comfortable before starting the process. If pets aren’t receptive to the sound of the shears, water, or blow-dryer, their owners are called to calm them down instead of forcing them to undergo grooming.

“I don’t use muzzles or restraints against them so if they don’t want me to groom them, I will send them back home,” she told Sunday Finance.

“They don’t like the sound of the shears, they don’t like the blow-dryer, and they don’t like the water, so that allows them to feel anxious, and when their little heart starts to race or become enraged it can cause them to have a heart attack or panic attack,” she added.

Currently, Franzpets offers different packages: a Classic Package, Pup Premium, and a Basic Package, with add-on options for colouring, teeth brushing, and pest removal. Franzpets also has a store with products for sale, including flea and tick powder, clothing, harnesses, leashes, balls, beds, and shampoos.

This business venture is not the first for Myers, who is also a broker and the operator of a wholesale business. Juggling everything requires all hands on deck from family, friends, and the few employees — especially on busy days, which are Saturdays (her walk-in days).

“Franzpets, of all of them, is my passion company,” she explained to the Sunday Finance. “Franzpets is not a business that I’ve made a profit from since it opened. I’ve never made a profit from it. I’ve just been concerned with keeping the doors open, being able to pay the employees, and providing the service, but it has never been a company that I’ve made money from.”

Though she is not earning substantially from the business she envisions Franzpets as a service-oriented venture that aims to fulfil the requests of the marketplace, which has been requesting additional locations in Kingston, Montego Bay, and Mandeville. She is in the process of acquiring spaces in these towns.

“I want to start offering boarding and doggie daycare services,” Myers said ambitiously. “I’m not ready to run that business on a plaza, as it would not allow pets to run around freely and get fresh air.

But as those plans are being worked on Myers is raising awareness that as the months get hotter, short hair is recommended to prevent heat rash, which can lead to excessive scratching, skin tears, and infections. If not carefully monitored a heat rash can be detrimental or even lead to death. She urged pet owners to consider the needs of their dogs in order to give them a healthy, happy life.

“Having them is one thing, but caring for them is another. They’re just like kids; you have to be keen on what they’re eating as some dogs are allergic to certain things. You have to be mindful of what you’re using on their skin and coat because while they’re pretty when fluffy, neglecting their maintenance can lead to matting, which can hurt them,” she said.