The Challenge: A Search for Purpose Beyond the Ceiling
Jake Blonquist grew up immersed in the principles of hard work and customer satisfaction, assisting his parents at their Art City Music Academy in Utah. After earning a Business degree from Brigham Young University, he spent nearly three years succeeding in the demanding B2C tech sales world at Aura. However, Jake felt he had reached a professional ceiling and desired a career that better aligned with his personal values, family history, and deep love for animals.
The opportunity came unexpectedly in late 2023 when his former neighbors and future business partners (who owned multiple Crumbl Cookie franchises) approached him. Recognizing Jake’s sharp business acumen and strong moral compass, which was reinforced by his background as an Eagle Scout and their shared history in scouting, they offered him the chance to lead a Pet Passages® franchise.
Jake recognized that, while he had the drive and customer skills, he needed a turnkey operational structure to make a quick, effective transition into the B2C pet memorialization market.
The Solution: Combining B2C Skills with a Proven Model
Jake put in his notice at Aura and officially joined the pet cremation business in February 2024. He chose the Pet Passages® franchise model because it offered the established infrastructure necessary to immediately focus on service, rather than system development.
The franchise provided:
- Established Systems: Ready-to-use software, detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and comprehensive training.
- Brand Mission Alignment: The Pet Passages® mission of honoring pets as cherished family members resonated deeply with Jake, whose own family has a legacy in funeral services and whose father preserved the urns of his childhood dogs, Bonnie and Max.
- Partnership Confidence: The proven franchise structure provided confidence to his silent partners, who were experienced multi-unit franchisees.
By partnering with Pet Passages®, Jake was able to leverage his professional B2C skills, customer satisfaction, communication, and relationship-building directly into the mission-driven pet service industry.
Corporate Support in Action: Bridging the Emotional Gap
For Jake, the critical support provided by the Pet Passages® system was the framework that allowed him to make the shift from transactional B2C sales to highly emotional direct-to-consumer service.
- Professional Overlap: The franchise training and SOPs ensured a professional, consistent experience, enabling Jake to seamlessly transfer his tech sales communication skills to interactions with grieving pet parents.
- Emotional Readiness: The training prepared Jake for the emotional weight of the work, allowing him to be a compassionate guide for the Lake Orion community rather than being overwhelmed by the sensitive nature of the service.
- Operational Freedom: With the logistics and infrastructure handled by the Pet Passages® corporate team, Jake was free to focus entirely on building community trust and delivering the personalized, dignified care the brand promises.
Jake notes that while the work is emotionally different, the direct and sincere appreciation from clients is immediate, often resulting in “more hugs from appreciative customers.”
Results: Finding Purpose and Building Trust
Since launching, Jake Blonquist has successfully established the Pet Passages® Lake Orion location as a trusted local resource. His commitment to dignity and respect, combined with the professionalism of the franchise system, is quickly translating into community growth.
The franchise has demonstrated:
- Successful Career Pivot: Jake proved that B2C expertise translates effectively to the highly personal B2C service industry when guided by a strong system.
- Mission Fulfillment: Jake found a career that deeply aligns with his personal values and family history in memorialization.
- Rapid Establishment: The robust franchise infrastructure allowed Jake and his partners to enter the market and begin serving the community quickly and confidently.
Jake Blonquist’s story proves that the Pet Passages® model is the perfect vehicle for driven professionals who seek to transition into an emotionally fulfilling, high-standard service business.
Jake Blonquist’s Impact
- Successful career transition from B2C tech sales to B2C pet services.
- February 2024 launch, demonstrating rapid market entry.
- High Customer Satisfaction (measured by frequent, emotional gratitude).