An entrepreneurial couple have opened their first pet store – simply three years after launching the business of their hallway cabinet.
Lauren Knight-Carroll and her husband Ryan arrange Ro and Friends Pet Boutique in 2020 after every investing £250.
The business has gone from energy to energy since, and the pair have now opened their first walk-in retailer on Henwood Industrial Estate in Ashford.
Mrs Knight-Carroll, who sells designer canine garments, says she was prepared to maneuver the corporate out of her home on the Repton Park property inside simply eight months of buying and selling.
“We had the idea to transform the cupboard in our flat into a stockroom,” the 22-year-old said.
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“We then made a group on Facebook where we would go live once a week and sell dog clothes from our cupboard.
“We started by selling clothes like dog sweaters, jackets and hoodies. The average price of the clothing was £22.99 and it was going really well but my home didn’t feel like home.”
The couple, who made six figures in their first year of trading, moved to an office space before switching to a small unit where customers could book appointments.
They have now opened their walk-in store in Javelin Way after their products proved such a hit online.
“My goal within 10 years was to have our own pet store so to have done it in three years is crazy to us,” Mrs Knight-Carroll stated.
“We wished to ensure we had the shoppers earlier than we began promoting and I believe that actually helped us after we launched.
“We have been nervous concerning the opening as 95% of our prospects are on-line and stay miles away so there was a excessive probability that we wouldn’t get many in-store prospects.
“But because of the wonderful group of Ashford, we gained so many new native prospects.”
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Mrs Knight-Carroll says she is now using everlasting members of workers and opening extra shops.
“Customers say we’re very effectively priced, as a number of the main pet shops in Ashford are promoting our merchandise for double,” she added.
