A Whole New Ball Game: James Callow Trades Tennis for Tails with Petpals

8th November 2024

For James Callow, launching his Petpals franchise in Crawley was more than just a career move – it was a long-awaited return to his roots. Growing up on a 12.5-acre property surrounded by a menagerie of animals, James’ passion for pets began early. Yet, life’s journey took him down a different path for many years, one that would lead him far away from this passion – first into competitive tennis and later into a two-decade career in estate agency. But, as they say, life has a funny way of circling back and, for James, that meant rediscovering his love for animals through an exciting new chapter with Petpals.

“I grew up on a large plot of land where we had dogs, cats, sheep, horses and briefly a goat! That’s where my passion for animals really started. My parents were very into tennis so, naturally, I followed in their footsteps and pursued it seriously – ending up with a tennis scholarship to study and play in America. Once back in the UK, I turned my hand to coaching but, due to injury, had to stop altogether.”

James found himself at a crossroads after his tennis career ended. He needed a new direction and, while he was not particularly drawn to any specific field, he knew he wanted a job that would allow him to stay active and avoid being desk-bound.

“That’s how I ended up in estate agency. It wasn’t something I was passionate about, but I liked the fact that I wasn’t stuck indoors all day. I didn’t expect to stay in the industry for over 20 years, but it provided me with stability, which was important at the time.”

James had enjoyed a successful career in estate agency, but like many people after decades in the same field, he began to feel a sense of restlessness. His passion for animals, ignited in childhood, had never left him, and he began to feel more drawn to the idea of working with pets.

“I always had a dog by my side throughout my estate agency career. That bond never left me and, as time went on, I found myself thinking more about how I could combine my love for animals with a career. I started to look into pet care businesses as a way to work with pets full-time. The more I researched, the more I realised there was an opportunity to turn this idea into something bigger.”

That is when James began exploring franchising options. While the idea of starting his own independent business had initially appealed to him, he saw the benefits of working within a franchise model.

“I spoke to a couple of franchises, but Petpals stood out to me right away. Their online presence was very professional and, when I met Kevin and Tracey, I felt an instant connection. I’ve never been much of a gambler, so the idea of joining a franchise appealed to me because it offered a balance between independence and support. After 20 years in estate agency, I knew I didn’t want the full weight of running a business entirely on my own, and, with Petpals, I knew I would have the backing of a strong, established brand.”

Petpals is the UK’s longest-established multi-service pet care franchise, helping franchisees achieve their goals for over 20 years. Whether you start your business as an owner-operator or invest in a team from the outset, Petpals’ management franchise model gives you the system for success.

Like every new Petpals franchisee, James undertook comprehensive training before launching his business. “The training was fantastic. I had a lot of experience with animals from my earlier days, but having Petpals’ industry-leading training really made the difference. They provide a proven framework that has been successful for many other franchisees. I knew I was in good hands.

Whenever I need guidance or assistance, I know I can count on the Petpals team. The support system they have in place is second to none, and it makes all the difference when you’re starting out.”

In February 2023, James launched Petpals Crawley and, from day one, his business started gaining traction. Thanks to the strength of the Petpals brand and James’ dedication, he was able to quickly build a loyal client base.

“I hit the ground running. By the end of my first month, I had regular clients and many of them are still with me today. Of course, starting any new business comes with its challenges, and it took time to really build momentum, but I knew I was on the right track. There’s something incredibly rewarding about building a business from the ground up and knowing that the work I’m doing is for myself – that’s been the most fulfilling part.”

One of the aspects James appreciates most about his Petpals franchise is the flexibility it offers. As a hands-on person who enjoys working, he is able to put in the hours that suit him while maintaining control over his schedule.

“I work when I want, which for me is pretty much all the time! But that’s just who I am. I love working and staying busy, so having that freedom is important to me. The beauty of the Petpals franchise model is that it can suit someone like me who enjoys being hands-on, or it can work for someone who prefers a managerial role – focusing on business growth while overseeing a dedicated team. The flexibility is there, and that’s one of the things I love most about it.”

James has also started expanding his team. He recently hired Denise, a part-time employee who assists with dog walking and home visits, giving him the ability to take on more clients and focus on growing the business.

“I’m starting to see the value in having a team in place. Right now, I’m doing a lot of the work but, with Denise helping out, I can focus more on growing the business without feeling stretched too thin.”

James’ dedication and hard work has not gone unnoticed. In his first year as a Petpals franchisee, he was awarded the prestigious Rising Star accolade at the Petpals annual conference.

“I was incredibly honoured to receive the Rising Star award. It was such a great feeling to be recognised by Petpals for all the hard work I’ve put in during my first year. Meeting other franchisees and learning from them at the conference has been one of the highlights for me – there’s a real family atmosphere within the Petpals network, and that support has been instrumental in building my business.”

As James approaches his second year with Petpals, he has ambitious plans for the future. In addition to securing his dog-boarding licence, which will enable him to offer an even broader range of services, he is considering expanding into neighbouring towns, where he sees great growth potential.

“I’m excited about the future. I’m focused on growing the business and reaching more clients, but I’m also looking forward to a time when I can take a bit of a step back and enjoy some of the personal freedom that comes with owning your own business. I’d love to spend more time with my own dog, Luna, and even get back into tennis at some point. The great thing about Petpals is that it

gives me the flexibility to dream big. For now, though, I’m happy building Petpals Crawley and providing the best care I can for my clients’ pets.”

For anyone considering a career change, James has one piece of advice. “If you love animals and want the freedom to build your own business with the backing of a successful franchise, Petpals is the way to go. It’s been a rewarding journey for me, and I’m excited about what the future holds.”

If, like James, you are looking to build a profitable business with the support of a leading pet-care franchise network, find out more by visiting www.petpals.com/purchase-a-new-franchise