Today we’d like to introduce you to Craig Maggio.
Craig, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
During your formative years people will often ask you “What do you want to do when you grow up/graduate/get into the real world?” For as long as I could remember I would always reply “I wanted to own my own business”. That would then of course prompt the follow up question “What kind of business?” My answer was always the same… “No idea, but I am sure I will figure it out when I get there!”
Owning a business is really a mixture of different roles:
The Entrepreneurial aspect is comprised of creating the financial and legal structure for the business (llc/corp/etc) as well as the concept, brand and intangible assets that become a living breathing entity.
The Managerial functions such as assembling a competent team, managing staff, running the books and tending to vendor relationships.
The Technician who physically sells products to her/his customers, provides a service and executes to an established standard created by the entrepreneur.
Someone who wants to open a business needs to be able to occupy each role simultaneously in order to create own and grow a business. No small task!
In terms of my career in the Pet Industry it was a bit of fate.
While attending college at the University of Central Florida I worked full time as a server at The Capital Grille in Orlando. It was through this experience in 5 star fine dining that I acquired some extremely valuable tools that I would later apply into my retail store concept.
After college I moved to NYC and began working in sales for a wine company. Cutting my teeth in sales on the streets of Manhattan was no easy task and I learned to handle rejection…daily. Another valuable life lesson for sure, behind every no is a yes. The wine company ended up promoting me to regional manager and gave me the opportunity to move back to my home state of NH. It was shortly after moving home I met the love of my life and my future wife Katie. Katie’s family had owned pet stores in NH for many years but had since closed them due to her father’s retirement.
Life was going well, I had a job I enjoyed, a beautiful girlfriend to spend my time with and was living in the state that I loved. Then one day I got the call….
The wine company was closing, we were all being laid off. It was devastating. I began looking for other local jobs but was not having any luck. To top it off, another blow was dealt when one evening while out hiking a small local mountain I returned to find that my dog who had been with me all through college had been struck by a car and killed. For those of you who have lost an animal, especially YOUR first animal understand. I was heartbroken.
One day while traveling with Katie and talking about what I was going to do for work she turned to me and said “Craig, you know, I really think you would make a great pet store owner”. It was as if the light bulb turned on instantly. Armed with my business degree and my passion for pets and helping people I set about the task of creating Friendly Pets.
The next two years I was completely consumed with every aspect of creating the business. Business plans, store concepts, logos, layouts, locations, financials and much more. Once the concept was on paper I then began to talk to every bank, SBA, lender, angel investor I could come into contact with. Eventually I was able to save and take out loans to execute my concept.
Six years later we have just recently opened our second location and I get to wake up every day loving what I do and the people I do it with. I have an incredible staff who supports me and my stores. They are truly my greatest asset. Of course not every day is sunshine and roses but I cannot help but feel very blessed and am truly great-full for the life I have and the people who are in it.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There have been many struggles (and continue to be) on a day to day basis.
The greatest lessons I could have ever learned actually came out of my love for hiking.
Put one foot in front of the other, keep trudging and you will eventually reach the top.
Never look up and think the summit is just over the next peak…there will always be false summits to climb before you get there.
Please tell us about Friendly Pets.
Friendly Pets is an independent Pet Supply Retail company located in New Hampshire. We sell a wide variety of pet foods, supplies and services for pet lovers. Friendly Pets carries animals of all shapes and sizes! Fish, Birds, reptiles and small animals. (Except for dogs and cats). We partner with local rescues to help place rescue dogs and cats as there are many animals looking for good homes!
Our concierge level of service in a retail environment is what sets us apart from the rest of the pack. We are committed to continuous training and development in order to provide the highest level of knowledge and service to the guests who patron our stores.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Spending time with my three brothers will always be my favorite part of growing up. They are my best friends and a huge part of who I am!
Contact Info:
- Address: Friendly Pets -Lee NH
40 Concord rd
Lee NH 03861Friendly Pets- Exeter NH
81 Portsmouth Ave
Exeter NH 03833 - Website: www.friendlypets.com
- Phone: 6038681800
- Email: managment@friendlypets.com
- Instagram: friendlypetsnh_
- Facebook: facebook.com/friendlypetsstore
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
