The Rundown:

Helpful Traits: Outgoing, a “people person”, resilient, hard-working, positive attitude, and patient. Trust yourself and your partner. Bonus: Have an encyclopedic knowledge of animals and a good knowledge of animal nutrition.

Pros: Creating something on your own, building your own niche, is so rewarding. We have the freedom to choose products and supplies and can offer more personalized service than big-box stores. You become part of the community and meet so many interesting people – and their pets.

Cons: Financially, it’s risky and stressful—that is why we kept our jobs. We invested all of our savings—about $30K, but we eventually made it back. Your social circle shrinks because the store is time-consuming and it can be exhausting. Some items don’t sell so you have to be forgiving with yourself, take the losses with a grain of salt, move forward and don’t dwell on the past. Estimated Salary: After four years the store nets (take home) about 70K per year.