My venture concept arose from a personal experience that
I have had in my hometown. Dog owners in my area do not have an upscale
facility that they can drop their dogs off for the day while they are at work
or an overnight stay while they are out of town. In addition to these
accommodations, owners do not have a facility that also allows their dog(s) to
be out playing and socializing with their dog friends the entire stay. This
need is for dog owners who do not have a facility for day
care/overnight stays that allow dogs to be roaming during the stay (e.g. not
kenneled). There is lack of this type of facility as most dog resorts, kennel
the dogs. Currently, customers are having to reluctantly board their dog in a
kenneled facility, have someone take care of their dog at their house, or take
their dog with them. This is an opportunity that is limited to individuals with
dogs and who have a higher median income or budget to provide their dog with
better care. This window for this need is indefinite as people will always own
dogs and need a care taker when they are away. This opportunity would be
limited to a certain geographical region and could potential expand depending
on success of initial operation. In terms of demographics, this opportunity again,
would be for *any* dog owner.
My business, Dee-Ohh-Gee Resort &
Spa, would offer multiple services to dog owners. The main concept and
service of the daycare & pet resort is to provide dogs with a kennel free
stay to allow for comfortability and a fun atmosphere while the owners are
away. The goal is to provide ultimate happiness and reduce stress for pets
while they are away from home. I recognize this is not for every
dog, so there will be an option for kenneling in spacious and private kennels
to reduce stress and nervousness in the dogs that do not handle group
situations well. The daycare & resort would offer daycare and overnight
stays for the pups. There will also be grooming services available at the
resort. The money maker would be the daycare and overnight boarding. Daycare
fees would start at $30 a day per dog or there is the option to buy multi-day
passes. Boarding would start at $45 a night and there would be discounted rates
for families with multiple dogs. The fee for dogs who will be boarded in the
kennels will start at $25 a night, as this service does not require as much
supervision as boarding in the common areas does.
The opportunity need will be met by the services
provided. Customers will have a place they can trust to take care of their dog
while they are away. The dogs will not be kenneled unless the owner wants them
to be. Customers will pay more to allow their dog to have a fun and remain
stress-free stay while they are away. I do not think that there will
be difficulty in getting owners to switch to this concept. Quality is greater
than quantity so spots will be limited. There will be staffing at
the facility 24/7. During the busy hours 7am-6pm there will be a minimum of 5
employees in the facility at all times. During evening and overnight hours
there will be 1-2 employees on site. Customers will value and appreciate the
implemented measures to assure the best for their pups. Nothing is worse than
going to pick your pup up from a boarding facility and then they run as fast as
they can out the door. Owners will be willing to send their pup to a place that
will care for their dogs in the same way that the owners do. This will be a
facility that dogs are happy to come to and will be excited when they pull in
the parking lot.
As far as feedback goes, I received one comment on the first
venture concept assignment. The comment was purely positive in nature. For the “What’s
next” assignment I received feedback that was in agreement with my decision not
to pursue the opposite opportunity market. I edited this post to add a bit more
detail for owners who would like to have their dogs kenneled at the facility
