Hobbies add depth to people's lives. They provide pleasure and therapeutic diversion from the cares and duties of our workaday world.
However, imagine having a hobby that not only provides pleasure and diversion, but also forms the basis for a new career and a successful business. That would be heaven, wouldn't it?
That's just what has happened to Sharon West, formerly a security and human resources professional, who trained dogs as a hobby.
Fifteen years ago West and her family moved to St. Charles County. Near her new home she discovered a dog training school. West got to know the owner of the school and eventually worked there as a trainer. In 1997 the owner retired and sold the facility to West, who enthusiastically entered the business of training dogs.
"When the opportunity to start my own business was presented to me, I jumped at the chance," proclaims West. "My love of dogs and a natural ability to work with them only cemented the idea of starting my own business working with dogs."
West soon expanded her business to include a dog-watching service for the furry four-legged students while their masters were out of town. By 1999 the demand for dog-sitting grew so great that West needed to expand her facility by adding a kennel.
At this point she realized she needed business advice.
Enter Virginia Wilson, business development specialist with the University of Missouri Extension Center in St. Charles County. Wilson helped West devise a business plan, a necessary element of the loan-seeking process to expand her business.
"Virginia gave me lots of encouragement and helped with professionalizing my business plan," says West. "She helped with format, presentation and financial aspects of my plan. With her help I was able to acquire a loan for my first kennel."
West built K-9 Bed N' Breakfast next to her Dardenne Prairie training facility in rural St. Charles County. The kennel opened in April 2000.
"My business grew at a rapid rate and we soon outgrew the space we had," West recounts. "This led to the October 2004 opening of Everything Under One WOOF, our second kennel, located in Wentzville."
WOOF includes a groom shop, a 10,000-square-foot training facility, a 70-run kennel and a retail store. A similar facility, K-9 Vacation Station, is slated to open this spring in Defiance. She operates all three LLCs under a holding company named WestInn Kennels, Inc.
"The positive side of my business is that I'm working at a job I love," West says. "I can also make a difference in the community by educating people about their pets. My dogs and I spend a lot of time visiting nursing homes and schools, promoting dog-bite safety for children and comforting people who can't get out and about."
"The negative side is the time that it takes to comply with all of the things to keep the business going and growing."
And grow it has. Sales in 1997 were around $130,000, according to business advisor Wilson; by last year that figure had grown tenfold.
West says Wilson's support has helped her achieve her business goals and given her the confidence and knowledge to pursue her vision.
"One of the smartest things I have ever done for my business was contacting the (MU) business extension. Their advice and programs have helped me realize my dreams."
And because of the firm's impressive achievements, WestInn Kennels will represent the Missouri Small Business Development Centers (MO SBDC) at the second annual Client Showcase and Legislative Breakfast Thursday, Feb. 9, in the State Capitol Rotunda in Jefferson City.
At that event hosted by MO SBDC, WestInn Kennels and more than a dozen other outstanding Missouri companies will meet with legislators to discuss their products and services. They also will be recognized for their contributions to the economic development of the state of Missouri. Recognition from MO SBDC will be accompanied by legislative resolutions presented by each company's district state senator and state representative.
For more information on the services of the MU Extension business development program, call Wilson at 636-970-3000 or e-mail her at wilsonv@missouri.edu
Visit the current Featured Entrepreneur
