We were lucky to catch up with Angela Woodward recently and have shared our conversation below.

Angela, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

Here are some tips to follow that we followed for our project: Conduct market research: Start by researching the demand for an indoor dog park and restaurant in your area. Look for existing competitors and evaluate their offerings. Identify your target market and understand their needs and preferences. Create a business plan: Develop a comprehensive business plan that outlines your concept, target audience, pricing, marketing strategy, operational details, and financial projections. This plan will serve as a roadmap for your venture and help you secure funding if needed.
Secure financing: Determine the startup costs required to establish the indoor dog park and restaurant. Explore different financing options such as personal savings, loans, grants, or partnerships. Prepare a compelling pitch to attract potential investors or lenders.
Find a suitable location: Look for a spacious and easily accessible location that meets the requirements of an indoor dog park and restaurant. Consider factors such as parking facilities, zoning regulations, and proximity to residential areas or other dog-friendly establishments.
Design the space: Create a layout that maximizes the use of the indoor space. Incorporate separate sections for dogs of different sizes, play equipment, seating areas for customers, and a kitchen for food preparation. Ensure the environment is safe, clean, and comfortable for both dogs and humans.
Obtain necessary permits and licenses: Research and comply with local regulations regarding permits, licenses, health inspections, and any specific requirements for pet-related businesses. This may include permits for food service, animal care, zoning, and health and safety.
Create a dog-friendly atmosphere: Consider the needs of dogs and their owners when designing the space. Use pet-friendly materials, provide adequate ventilation, incorporate appropriate fencing, and ensure proper sanitation practices. Offer amenities such as water stations, dog waste disposal areas, and designated play zones.
Develop a menu: Design a menu that caters to both humans and dogs. Offer a variety of healthy and delicious options for customers while also providing dog-friendly treats and snacks. Consider consulting with a veterinary nutritionist to ensure the safety and nutritional value of the canine menu.
Hire and train staff: Recruit employees who are experienced in working with dogs and capable of handling customer interactions. Train your staff on dog handling, safety protocols, customer service, and food preparation to ensure a positive experience for all visitors.
Marketing and promotion: Develop a marketing strategy to create awareness about your indoor dog park and restaurant. Utilize various channels such as social media, local advertisements, partnerships with pet-related businesses, and community engagement to reach your target audience. Consider hosting special events, dog training sessions, or partnering with local rescue organizations to further promote your establishment.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I graduated from University of Minnesota college of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. While working in private practice for a corporation til 2015, I decided it was time to create my own hospital from my vision of what a private hospital should be for client, staff and the community. Another Doctor and myself created Vet Partners and have since acquired and re-branded 3 other hospitals reikiing on 5 locally owned and operated hospitals in MN. In 2020 during th pandemic we quickly out grew our space in the hospital I originally started in Plymouth. With the hope of friends and contractors we were able to bring my vision for a larger hospital and a one stop shop for pet owners to life. The Pet Retreat offering daycare, boarding, grooming and training was started and the Brew Park offering an indoor dog park, restaurant with coffee, beer, wine and food was also added. We turned 22,000 ft2 into a pet oasis for pets and owners alike to come and enjoy.

Let’s move on to buying businesses – can you talk to us about your experience with business acquisitions?

I have bought three additional Vet hospitals and re-branded them to be Vet Partners. All the hospital we bought had owners looking to sell and retire. They were single Doctor practices that had been run to their full potential but had room for growth. The process entailed getting financials from the owner, making an offer on the practice with a LOI and then secure financing, agreeing on how the original owner would be involved after purchase and then setting a close date.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

We have a marketing manager that strategically sets campaigns that reach our current clients with information of what’s going on within the practice or facility that would be engaging to them through social posts and email. We also created a preventative cares packages that tie owners to our practice and a refers program that gives tiered rewards for personal referrals.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://myvetpartners.com/plymouth-2/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/brewparkplymouth?igshid=MmJiY2I4NDBkZg==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brewparkplymouth?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-angela-woodward-a4055798