Over the course of the past 18 months of these Authorized Dealer profiles, we've learned of three common threads that run through operating a successful independent pet store.
They are:
But with Marvin Wilhite, owner of Animal House in West Monroe, La., we can add a fourth:
Never, ever, ever, borrow money.
"That's been my number one rule," Marvin said over a recent conversation about his pet store.
Following that rule, he's been able to expand his store four times. From modest beginnings of 800 square feet, it's grown to a 5,200 square foot sales floor with a 1,000 square foot grooming area and a 1,200 square foot storage area.
"I've seen people come and go," he said of those retailers who couldn't be frugal, live within their means, and grow their business slowly and debt-free.
Now in his 21st year of business, Marvin got into the trade somewhat unusually.
"I'd been a salesman for Dolly Madison Cakes, and just got laid off. I had a fish tank, and went into a pet store that specialized in fish. The lady there was having a bad day and was ready to sell and get out. I had a little money saved up and I jumped at the chance," he explained
She sold Marvin a 49% stake in the business.
The ride at the beginning was bumpy.
"I think the lady came to work twice that first month," he said. He remembers ringing up a very modest $1,700 in sales the first month he was in business. But it wasn't too long before things got a lot better.
"Now I'm averaging $1,700 a day," he said.
Marvin takes pride in the business his 50' Coastal wall does. He's been a Coastal customer for the past 10 years, purchasing through his distributor, Lone Star. Salesman Joe Delarosa from Lone Star writes most of his orders. He likes the quality of the products, the convenience of pre-priced merchandise, but singles out accuracy as a big plus, also.
"You're so good, I rarely check for shortages, and you have quick turnaround," he said.
In addition, long time manager Angie Skipper and associate Barbara Marks make sure the store is well-stocked, well-run and customers walk out satisfied
You have to go through his Coastal aisle to get to his grooming area. Customers tend to pick up new collars and brushes for their freshly groomed pets, to keep that clean, healthy look going.
Business at the store is good, despite some pretty serious blows to the local economy.
Marvin estimates in the last 3-4 years, the West Monroe area, located in the northern part of the state, has lost about 2,500 jobs. He ticks off the businesses like he's reading a grocery list-there's a State Farm District office, a metal fabricating company, a paper mill, and a GM plant, all with significant reductions in the work force.
"All these were good paying jobs," he said.
But West Monroe is no different than other parts of the country, in that people still will take care of their pets.
"People that can, will do so no matter what," he said. Marvin. This makes Marvin optimistic in the future. It makes us glad Marvin's an Authorized Dealer.
