The Challenge: A Search for Meaningful Work
In early 2020, sisters Brenda Davidson and Teresa Armstead were seeking a profound change. Brenda Davidson, who had spent most of her career in the demanding field of medical billing and office management, found herself laid off right before the COVID-19 pandemic began. Simultaneously, Teresa Armstead, a lifelong pet advocate with extensive experience as a Vet Technician, a professional dog show handler, and the owner of a successful mobile pet grooming business, was looking for a new chapter. The physical demands of dog grooming had become unsustainable, and she sought a way to remain in the pet industry while transitioning to a less physically taxing role.
Teresa was introduced to the concept of professional pet cremation by a friend. Recognizing the need for compassionate, dignified end-of-life care for pets, she began researching opportunities and soon discovered Pet Passages®.
The Solution: Partnership, Due Diligence, and a Visit
Teresa quickly brought the idea to Brenda, recognizing that their complementary skill sets —Teresa’s deep pet industry knowledge and Brenda’s administrative and business management expertise —made them an ideal team.
After an initial exploratory call with Pet Passages® CEO, Mike Harris, they took some time for careful consideration. The decisive step was a visit to the established Pet Passages® location in Texarkana, Arkansas. This essential trip allowed Brenda and Teresa to observe the operations firsthand, understand the strict standards of the process, and feel confident in the business model. Armed with this knowledge and a belief in the Pet Passages® system, they officially signed on as franchisees.
Corporate Support in Action: A Critical Zoning Victory
As they prepared to launch in Oklahoma City, the sisters faced a significant hurdle: securing approval from the city council for the location.
The planned facility faced initial apprehension from the local community, culminating in a neighboring business filing objections with the city council. Brenda and Teresa were required to appear before the board to defend their planned location.
This challenge became a powerful testament to the strength of the Pet Passages® franchise support system. The corporate team immediately mobilized:
- Pet Passages® CEO Mike Harris appeared via video chat to personally address the council’s questions, lending credibility and expertise to the operation.
- The cremation equipment manufacturer joined the session to provide detailed technical specifications, ensuring the council understood the safety and efficiency of the modern machinery.
- Another established Pet Passages® location supplied a video demonstrating the equipment in use and illustrating its environmental safety and minimal community impact.
This united, all-hands-on-deck effort helped the city council understand the professionalism and necessity of the service, leading to successful approval of the Oklahoma City location. The community, initially opposed to the venture, accepted the location after seeing the professional operations firsthand.
Results: Consistent Growth and Community Impact
Having officially launched in October 2022, Brenda and Teresa have quickly established a thriving business. In the three years since their opening, they have not only built a successful operation but have also become a trusted source of support for grieving pet parents in their community.
The franchise has demonstrated:
- Consistent Growth: The business has achieved consistent year-over-year growth since opening.
- Strong Referral Network: They have successfully partnered with eight local veterinary clinics, building a robust business-to-business referral network.
- Diversified Revenue: The business maintains a healthy 50/50 split between services brought in through veterinary partners and direct “walk-through” business from pet parents, driven by strong word-of-mouth referrals and community trust.
Brenda Davidson and Teresa Armstead’s success story in Oklahoma City proves that the Pet Passages® model, when combined with passionate owners and unwavering corporate support, provides both a rewarding career and an essential community service.
Brenda and Teresa’s Impact
- 8 Veterinary Clinic Partners secured
- 50% of business comes directly from pet parents
- 3 years of consistent business growth