Born from misfortune, Fur-Crazy Pet Care exists because one woman wanted the very best for Koby, a pit bull.
Meagan Karnes founded the La Mesa business in 2004 after taking time off as a business development consultant in biotech to care for Koby.
Karnes, 26, cared for Koby after a pet sitter lost the puppy in an unfenced park. Although Koby, now 4, was found days later, the experience left the animal frightened. As a result, Karnes said her pet adopted aggressive behavior, and so she took it upon herself to rehabilitate him.
To generate an income, Karnes began pet-sitting and Fur-Crazy was born.
“I applied my knowledge of business secured through my M.B.A. and my business took off,” said Karnes, who reports revenues of $275,000 last year, up from $165,000 a year earlier.
She received her master’s degree in business administration from San Diego State University, where she also earned a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry.
Fur-Crazy offers grooming and training, as well as pet-sitting.
Although Karnes didn’t intend to franchise the business, she allowed an ex-employee to take the business model to Chicago. Fur-Crazy is now available in 81 cities nationwide.
VITALS
Name: Meagan Karnes.
Title: President.
Company: Fur-Crazy Pet Care.
Company address: 5480 Baltimore Drive, Suite 102, La Mesa.
Company phone: (619) 825-9163.
Year founded: 2004.
Prior business experience: Worked as a consultant for several startup biotech companies.
Average hours worked weekly: 70.
Source of startup capital: U.S. Small Business Administration loan.
2006 revenue: $275,000.
2005 revenue: $165,000.
Number of employees: 12.
Web site: www.fur-crazy.com.
BACKGROUND
Birthplace: Orange.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and a master’s degree in business administration, both from SDSU.
Age: 26.
Current residence: La Mesa.
Family: Married to Rob San Agustin.
Hobbies: Dog rescue and rehabilitation, member of San Diego Great Dane and Basset Hound Meetup Groups.
JUDGMENT CALLS
Reason for getting into business: I left a job in biotech to rehabilitate my dog and began pet-sitting to earn extra money.
How I plan to grow the business: We plan to expand the business into other territories and plan to expand our product offering to our current clients.
Biggest plus of business ownership: I’m my own boss.
Biggest drawback: I work seven days a week, 10 hours a day. My phone always rings and it’s difficult to take a vacation or get out of town for a few days.
Biggest business strength: Strong branding and a solid reputation through great customer service and word of mouth and grassroots marketing.
Biggest business weakness: High employee turnover as a result of most people securing a job in pet care as an intermediary between career changes.
Biggest risk: The liability involved in sending people into others’ homes.
Smartest business decision: Expanding our product service offering, to include daily and vacation pet care services, holistic pet care products, dog-training services and a dog rescue and rehabilitation program.
Biggest business mistake: Hiring friends.
Toughest career decision: We sold a portion of our service offering to another pet care company to generate a large influx of cash for expansion into other markets.
Biggest ongoing challenge: Managing personnel.
The most important part of my business: The people who work for us.
My business works best when: When I have a positive attitude and take an active role in daily operations.
Best way to stay competitive: Continue to keep current on market trends.
How I measure success: In the testimonials from our clients.
GOALS
Goals yet to be achieved: Expansion to other markets.
My five-year business plan: Expand into other major cities. Expand product lines to include our own brand of pet foods and treats.
I would sell my business only if: I was forced to for financial or personal reasons.
Guiding principles I will continue to follow: Be honest. Treat others as you would like to be treated. Give back to the community.