Woofie's Founder Named 'Woman of Wonder' as Brand Celebrates Female Franchisees

Woofie's, the innovative pet-care franchise specializing in mobile pet grooming, dog walking, and pet sitting services, is celebrating a significant milestone during National Women's Small Business Month. The company proudly highlights that more than half of Woofie's franchise owners are women, with 43 locations nationwide owned by female entrepreneurs. This celebration is amplified by the recognition of Co-Founder and President Amy Addington, who was named a "Woman of Wonder" by Franchise Dictionary Magazine in its October issue. Nominated by over 450,000 readers, this prestigious honor acknowledges Addington's profound impact on franchising, her resilience in overcoming challenges, and her dedication to community engagement. Since co-founding Woofie's in 2004 and launching franchising in 2018, Addington has spearheaded the brand's expansion to 67 locations across the country, creating numerous opportunities for women in business.

The success stories within the Woofie's franchise network are both inspiring and diverse. Crystal Witt, who opened Woofie's of Greater Jacksonville with her husband Neil Dakake, exemplifies the transformative power of entrepreneurship. Following a breast cancer diagnosis, Witt pursued her lifelong dream of business ownership, aiming to demonstrate to her children the importance of building a life centered on joy and fulfillment. Another standout franchisee, Tanya Lee of Woofie's of Reston-Herndon, has dramatically scaled her operations to include 10 office staff, 12 groomers, and approximately 100 dog walkers and pet sitters. Lee's commitment to hiring locally has strengthened community ties, earning her recognition in the International Franchise Association's "Franchise Means Local" campaign and coverage in Franchise Wire. These women represent the growing movement of female entrepreneurs who are reshaping the business landscape while maintaining deep community connections.

Woofie's corporate structure reflects its commitment to female leadership, with a strong bench of talented women driving the brand forward. Key team members include Lydia Best as Vice President of Operations, Jill Devlin as Franchise Development Manager, Gabby Loielo as Franchise Business Consultant, and several other accomplished professionals. The company's dedication to diversity and inclusion was formally recognized in 2022 when Entrepreneur ranked Woofie's as a top franchise for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. To further support underrepresented entrepreneurs, Woofie's offers a $5,000 Diversity Discount on franchise fees for qualified minority-owned, women-owned, and LGBTQ+-owned businesses. As Addington emphasizes, "Helping women realize their dreams of entrepreneurship is really important to us at Woofie's," underscoring the brand's mission to create economic opportunities while elevating pet care standards nationwide. Those interested can explore franchise ownership at www.ownawoofies.com or find local services at www.woofies.com.