At PetPocketbook, we're dedicated to empowering pet care businesses with the tools they need to thrive. We know that access to flexible, reliable capital is often a major hurdle for small businesses looking to grow. For the pet care industry in particular where there’s often little collateral to borrow against, you may not qualify for traditional financing options (unless you borrow against your personal assets). When you do, the application process is often cumbersome and time-consuming. So, we launched PetPocketbook Capital last year in partnership with Stripe to offer flexible financial solutions designed to meet the real-world needs of pet care businesses like yours.
We recently spoke with Will Lane, owner of Tiburon Dog Butler, to hear about how PetPocketbook Capital enabled him to act quickly on a key business opportunity that came up. Timing is everything, and Will's story is a perfect example of how strategic funding can make all the difference. For Will, it played a vital role in helping his business achieve record-setting milestones this year.
Meet Tiburon Dog Butler: A Legacy of Care
Will Lane founded Tiburon Dog Butler 11 years ago, transitioning from a career as an architect in the UK to pursue his passion for pets. What began as a one-man operation with a station wagon has blossomed into a thriving enterprise with seven full-time employees and a dedicated team of part-timers. Tiburon Dog Butler specializes in "Group Adventure Hikes," offering curated pack walks for up to six dogs, providing a unique and enriching experience for their canine clients.
Over the years, Tiburon Dog Butler has strategically evolved. Will initially offered a wide range of "white glove" services aimed at supporting pet parents in the affluent Tiburon area with every aspect of dog ownership. Over time, Will refined his offerings to focus on the most popular and profitable services–streamlining operations, saving time, and significantly boosting profitability. This strategic focus has paid off, with the business on track to achieve a record-setting revenue milestone this year—a remarkable accomplishment for the team!
"Dogs are easy; it's managing employees and clients that becomes more of a challenge," Will shares, reflecting on his journey. "It's been a goal of mine to work in various parts of the business, and I've been fortunate to experience it all."
The Challenge: Navigating Traditional Funding Hurdles
Like many small business owners, Will faced the inherent difficulties of securing traditional financing. He explains, "Traditional funding is time-consuming to get and always impacts your credit. Because of this, business owners are sometimes dissuaded from pursuing this as an option for growth. We need a more straightforward, simple option." The lengthy applications, stringent requirements, and potential credit implications often deter businesses from seeking the capital they need to expand and innovate.
A Simple Solution: PetPocketbook Capital
Will first became aware of the PetPocketbook Capital program when it was initially rolled out last Spring, noting it as a valuable option. However, it wasn't until a critical need arose that he decided to leverage the program. "It’s good to know that programs like this exist, and I’m grateful to PetPocketbook for offering this," he says.
His initial impression of PetPocketbook Capital was quite positive. "The offer and terms were straightforward and simple to understand. Everything is outlined in your offer," Will recounts. He particularly appreciated that the offers are unique to each business, ensuring the amount of capital available was perfectly aligned with the size and operational needs of Tiburon Dog Butler.
Comparing it to his past experiences with traditional business loans, Will found the process remarkably different. "The process was much more simple than applying for traditional business loans," he emphasizes. "As a small business owner, you might be nodding along because it can be cumbersome and difficult to get access to the Capital we need to expand our businesses. The PetPocketbook Capital program reduced that stress and eliminated the long, drawn-out process you find with traditional business funding."
The Impact: Driving Business Forward
The specific need that prompted Will to utilize PetPocketbook Capital was crucial for his operations: replacing his aging fleet of vans. "Our business relies heavily on transporting dogs. We desperately needed to replace our old vans," he explains. The challenge was compounded by the fact that his preferred van model was no longer being manufactured, which required him to purchase pre-owned vehicles. PetPocketbook Capital provided the immediate funds required to seize this opportunity.
The investment yielded immediate and significant results. "We now have eight new cargo vans that allow us to run our business smoothly and may allow us to expand as well," Will proudly states. The repayment process was equally seamless. "It worked out well and was completely automated, which is nice, and doesn’t impact credit," he notes, highlighting the ease and transparency of the flat-fee structure.
PetPocketbook Capital also enabled Tiburon Dog Butler to capitalize on a time-sensitive opportunity that might otherwise have been missed. Will explains, "It prevented me from having to go through the process with each vehicle—bank, dealership, etc.—which would have taken much longer. Since it was time-sensitive, I may have missed out on the opportunity." The speed and efficiency of PetPocketbook Capital were invaluable.
This experience gave Will the confidence to pursue additional growth initiatives. "We’re considering a second round of funding to pursue other initiatives with the business that would allow us to expand even further," he shares, hinting at exciting plans like opening a dog daycare facility.
Advice for Fellow Pet Care Business Owners
After funding his fleet upgrade, Will found PetPocketbook Capital to be a smart and practical resource for businesses planning to scale or make major purchases. Although he acknowledged that the fixed fee might be higher than some traditional options and the payback period shorter, it’s worth the trade-off for easier and faster access to funding without getting dinged on your personal credit score in the application process.
His most crucial advice for any pet care business owner considering growth is to know your numbers. "Understand your profit margins, and know when to grow," Will advises. "Understand your cash flow – make sure it’s strong, and know the patterns of your business (like seasonality) and plan accordingly." Having a solid handle on cash flow is essential when considering loans to help drive growth. Always double check how your loan’s payback schedule impacts your weekly or monthly cash flow. With PetPocketbook Capital, your payback schedule is clearly outlined in your offer and a set percentage of your payouts from PetPocketbook is automatically set aside to pay down the loan. So do the math to make sure that aligns with your cash needs.
"We’re dog walkers and not all of us are great financial people, so my advice is to keep on top of your books, get your head into operating costs, overhead, and sales. Learn Excel or Google Sheets, and run scenarios." If that’s not your cup of tea, Will recommends leveraging software to help track your numbers and working with a good CPA who not only processes your books but also can offer strategic advice as the business grows. He personally relies on PetPocketbook to run his business and track his income, QuickBooks to manage expenses and file taxes, and Gusto to run payroll.
Will believes PetPocketbook Capital is particularly well-suited for the unique operational dynamics and financial needs of pet care businesses, such as seasonal fluctuations and unpredictable expenses. "This funding is much easier to access and incredibly valuable," he says. "For self-employed or new businesses, it's hard to qualify for loans. Not having to go out to banks and do the groundwork saves you so much time and effort."
"I would recommend PetPocketbook Capital to other PetPocketbook users in the pet care industry," Will concludes. "It’s a great resource to help you grow your business and is easily accessible."
Looking Ahead: Continued Growth and Partnership
Tiburon Dog Butler is poised for continued expansion, with Will actively exploring the possibility of opening a daycare facility. He anticipates utilizing PetPocketbook Capital again to support these exciting growth initiatives.
Will Lane's journey with Tiburon Dog Butler highlights how thoughtful planning and flexible financing like PetPocketbook Capital can transform challenges into opportunities for growth in the dynamic pet care industry.
Do you need access to capital to help you grow and expand your pet care business? You may be eligible for funding through PetPocketbook Capital! Check your email to see if you’ve received an offer, or contact our support team to learn more.
Loans are issued by Celtic Bank and powered by Stripe. All loans are subject to credit approval.
