Today we’d like to introduce you to April McGlynn.
April, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I guess my story officially starts 11 years ago when I got my first dog as an adult—a harlequin Great Dane named Dax. My husband traveled a lot for work at the time and I often found myself home alone with our two cats, which is great, but they aren’t exactly protectors of the home. I thought a dog was just what I needed! After reading multiple books and articles about the breed, it took me about three months to convince my husband that Dax was the one. At the time, we were in our mid-to-late 20’s and establishing our careers was extremely important to both of us.
We worked long hours and what all the books and articles I’d read couldn’t prepare me for was the extreme guilt I felt when I left Dax home alone all day, every day. Just a decade ago, dog day care didn’t really exist as a common service like it does today. Thus, enter Lexi, our second Great Dane. She and Dax became the best of friends! Later, we discovered Camp Bow Wow and our dogs frequented the local camp in Coppell for daycare and for boarding. I fell in love with the Camp owners and the business model. In my mind, it was so great to be able to leave my only children with people I knew and trusted to take such special care of them.
Plus, Dax and Lexi LOVED going to Camp! The last 11 years have taught me there is nothing like the relationship you will have with your dog. They have shaped so many of my experiences and have taught me much about unconditional love, loyalty, friendship, and happiness. Sadly, Dax passed away recently, at 11 years old. And while Lexi is currently the only pup left in our pack, they both continue to be the inspiration for my current journey. My story today would be absolutely different if it weren’t for that one small decision to add a dog to the family. One of the best decisions we’ve ever made!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The biggest challenge for me was making the decision to leave my career in marketing—something I had spent 13 years building—and forge a new path for myself and my family. I graduated from UNT in 2003 with a BS in Merchandising and a Minor in Business. I’ve spent the past 13 years of my career working in corporate marketing and advertising. I’ve loved my work, I’ve loved the people I’ve met along the way, and what I learned about business has been extensive. However, the pressure to climb the proverbial corporate ladder, continue career development, make more money, and save for what I could only hope would be an early retirement began to take its toll.
I started to evaluate my quality of life. I was constantly stressed, and my personal relationships were starting to be impacted by what was going on back in the office. I knew something had to change and I knew just switching companies wasn’t going to be enough for me. I needed a major change. I needed a true voice and something to be passionate about. I entertained several options I thought might make me happy long-term: things I was truly passionate about like wine, travel, and fitness. Ultimately my decision came down to something that always made me smile, even on the most challenging of days… DOGS, DOGS, AND MORE DOGS!!
So, I began to talk to other Camp Bow Wow owners and met my current business partners, Steve and Michelle Martin. They also came from the corporate world. Steve worked at Texas Instruments for 23 years as an engineering manager and Michelle was a writer and editor in educational publishing. When the recession hit in 2008, Michelle was laid off and Steve took early retirement. Like me, they both wondered, What now? Steve and Michelle opened their first Camp in 2012, had great success, and wanted to keep growing. Now, it’s been nearly three years since our first conversation about opening a camp together and there have been multiple obstacles along the way.
The process of opening your own business requires a lot of patience, persistence, effort, research, and money… lots of money. That said, it’s been a rewarding journey so far, one that doesn’t go without the deepest gratitude for my business partners who gave me the opportunity to invest with them in their second Camp. I wouldn’t be on this journey if it weren’t for their taking a chance on me. If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the past 11 years, it’s that dog owners are some of the nicest people you can meet! This feels like the best path I can walk at this point in my life, and we can’t wait to meet the dogs and pet parents of Plano this Spring!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Camp Bow Wow Plano – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Camp Bow Wow is the leading pet care franchise in the United States. Our motto is Happy Healthy Pets, Happy Healthy People™. The pet care industry has grown steadily since 2000 when Camp Bow Wow first opened their doors in Colorado. Camp Bow Wow established the model for the industry and a higher level of pet care, including doggie daycare, has become not only popular but recommended by vets and canine behaviorists as beneficial to a dog’s life. Here’s what you should know about Camp Bow Wow Plano.
What does Camp do for your fur-baby?
o Provides regular exercise to maintain a healthy weight
o Relieves boredom, separation anxiety, and destructive behavior at home
o Improves socialization with dogs and people
o Keeps your dog learning and growing!
o Enhances quality of life
Safety is a Top Priority at Camp Bow Wow Plano!
o All Camp Counselors are extensively trained in dog behavior and certified in Pet First Aid and CPR.
o Each Camper must pass a socialization interview, be spayed or neutered, and be current on vaccinations.
o Live webcams let you check in on your dog from anywhere, using a computer or mobile device.
o Facilities are monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
All-Inclusive Pricing
The price you see is the price you pay! This is not true for many dog daycare and boarding facilities.
o Day Camp included in all overnight stays
o All-day play in large indoor and outdoor play yards
o Pup Pools and play equipment
o Individual cozy cabin and nightly Campfire Treat for Overnight Campers
o No charge for medication administration or other special requests
o Lots of individual attention and TLC from Camp Counselors!
o Camp Bow Wow Plano also offers Grooming and Training Services
Camp Bow Wow Plano plans to open its doors this May 2018. Visit our website at www.campbowwow.com/plano to keep track of our progress! Meanwhile, check out what makes Camp Bow Wow the best at our Dallas High Five location in Richardson! www.campbowwow.com/dallashighfive
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Our biggest goal right now is to get our doors open and meet all the fabulous dogs and pet parents of Plano.
Ultimately, we would like to expand and perhaps open another camp in Allen, but that’s likely a few years down the road. For now, we will focus on providing the very best care for Plano’s fur-babies!
Contact Info:
- Address: 2060 W. Spring Creek Pkwy, Suite 404
Plano, TX 75023 - Website: www.campbowwow.com/plano
- Email: plano@campbowwow.com
- Instagram: @campbowwowplano
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/campbowwowplano/
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
