You can read Schurrer's thoughts about the pet industry in our new eBook, "The Ultimate Threat: How E-Commerce Affects the Pet Industry." Click here to download and read the full version of this information for free! 

As we discovered in a recent article, independent pet shops are the backbone of the pet industry. They are the ones who keep consumers educated about being a responsible pet owner and up to date on the best products in the industry. Futhermore, they are the ones who work with pet supply distributors to get new pet product manufacturers off their feet..

Unfortunately, even though independent pet shops are beloved, there hasn't been a lot of support for each individual store. This is why we have put together a Pet Store Spotlight program. Once a month, we will interview and introduce at least one independent retailer we have identified as a fantastic example of the pet industry. We want to not only honor those who have found success doing things the right way, but also find out how they got to where they are today so that other independent pet retailers may follow suit if they so chose. 

Pet Supply Port

Pet Supply Port has been around for nearly 20 years. It started it's humble roots back in May of 1999. Jen Schurrer, the owner of Pet Supply Port, began working in the pet industry since she was just 16 years old. She fought through hardships such as her father passing away when she was just 17. However, no matter what was thrown her way, Schurrer continued on her journey to make her dad proud. Four years later, her boss asked her whether she would like to own her own store and she accepted.

Schurrer was nervous about starting her own business at just 20 years old. However, she managed to fight for it and worked tirelessly to make the business what it is today. Schurrer was not only effective at owning and managing a pet shop, but she was also successful while moving locations: only having to close her store for one day during the transition. 

One of the things we noticed about this pet retailer was their excellent web presence. The store's website is very user-friendly for both current and potential customers to find and browse. It shows current coupons and promotions, a list of services offered, an easy way to contact them, manufacturer's products sold, and even a section that promotes what their customers are saying about them. In addition to the website, they have an active Facebook page with an average rating of 4.6 at the time of writing (February 6th, 2017). 

Because this fantastic store stood out to us as a great contender for our first Pet Store Spotlight, we took the chance to ask Schurrer just a few questions about how it began and how it all came together to be where it is today.

Ashley Hoffman: According to your website, you started Pet Supply Port when you were just 20 years old. How did you feel about starting a business at that age, and what were some of the biggest challenges you had to overcome?

Jen Schurrer: It was just a necessity. The owner of the existing business was ready to give the business up, so it was a matter of survival. I had to decide to commit to what I loved and could not imagine doing anything else for an extended amount of time.  So I took the leap. It was a huge financial obligation and with the help of my family the whole thing just felt right. I had already been doing this for four years; I started when I was 16. My father passed away when I was 17 and I was at a real crossroads. The decision seemed obvious: commit to doing what I enjoyed and felt I could pour my heart into and make my dad proud.