Susan Curtis and her daughter, Shannon Spinney, have always been close, but their investment in a Pet Butler® franchise in Franklin, Tennessee, in 2020 further solidified their relationship. By Patty Horansky
FAMILY AFFAIR
Susan Curtis and her daughter, Shannon Spinney, have always been close, but their investment in a Pet Butler® franchise in Franklin, Tennessee, in 2020 further solidified their relationship.
Curtis, a former tax-consulting franchise owner in the Nashville area, accepted a buyback offer in 2014, but she wasn’t ready to retire. Spinney was a college student studying business management and dreamed of one day owning her own business. Both of them were longtime pet lovers and owners, having experience caring for foster dogs and assisting local humane groups to place rescue animals. By the time Curtis left tax-consulting, Spinney had started her own pet-sitting business.
“We were looking for a business that we could do together,” Curtis said.
They wanted to work with animals, so they began researching groomers, boarders and other pet care brands, leading them to Pet Butler. The two were impressed by the company’s quick response time, proven services, comprehensive training and ongoing support.
Founded in 1988 and franchised in 2005, Pet Butler has more than 40 locations across 28 states and is still growing. It has evolved from just pet waste removal to include pet sitting, dog walking, pet shuttling, yard sanitizing and deodorizing as well as pet waste removal in residential communities, dog parks and more.
The brand checked all the boxes on Curtis and Spinney’s list of wants, which included helping pets and people, being able to work outside, safeguarding the environment, being their own bosses and growing a profitable business. Moreover, no one in their area was operating a business like Pet Butler.
“It seemed like an untapped market,” Curtis said.
She and Spinney started with poop-scooping and quickly added all of Pet Butler’s services as well as Spinney’s pet-sitting clients. Spinney serves as operations manager over a team, while Curtis manages finances, and both still do grounds work and participate in community events for pets and pet rescues.
“We went into this with the intention of growing it,” Curtis said. “I think it’s kind of the American dream to be your own boss.”
Patty Horansky