The Happiest Hen House in Hooper

My name is Jill I'm the owner's of Pet Expectations.  I was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois but most of my childhood was spent in Colorado. 

When Colorado grew too large and crowded I moved with four dogs to Florida.  I'd always dreamed of living there close to the ocean and Disney World.  The first 6 years I was there I enjoyed the weather, which was great for riding motorcycles and year round outdoor activities.  Then came the hurricanes, Frances and Jeanne made land within 2 miles of each other and I caught the center of both storms.  The second storm made the decision for me.  With 3 dogs and 6 birds I couldn't imagine what would happen if my home didn't withstand the next storm.  So back west I moved to Utah.  Wilma made landfall the day I was supposed to move, I was one week ahead of schedule.

Utah reminded me of Colorado but the cost of living was so much more affordable, the mountains are on the wrong side (which still confuses me).  People are friendly and welcoming and I have an acre of land which gives me lots of space to relax with all of my animals.  Of course the more space I have the more I fill it up with pets.  I now have approximately 24 chickens which will sit on my lap and live in the lap of luxury, 15 parrots, 3 dogs, 3 goats a shetland pony and a rescue bunny.

I made the decision before I moved to start a pet related business when I settled in Utah.  I have a long background as an administrative assistant, accounting, secretarial and just about everything else I was willing to learn.  Pets have always been my passion and I wanted more time with them.  So in July 2005 Pet Expectations began in Florida, and relocated to Utah.

I created the logo from a design I'd come up with.  My cousin who is a graphics artist made it look much better.  The name came from a thesaurus and a lot of discussions with a relative.  I decided to set up my own website so I could change things whenever I wanted without having to bother someone else.  It was cost effective and stretched my skills.  It's very template driven and basic but the feedback from customers has been overwhelmingly positive.

Pet Expectations is run from my home and is spread to every room that has space to provide it.  As customers approach me about supplying something new, I decide whether or not to try it and then arrange space accordingly.  If you call, it will be me who answers the phone.  If you receive a package, I've gotten it ready for you and dropped it off at the post office.  I take orders, do the books, answer emails, manage my Ebay store and continue to come up with new ideas.  My parents got me past the first months when all funds were going out and nothing was coming in.  Thanks to all of you who believed in me.

The customers I make contact with make me smile daily.  For the first time in my life I feel I've found my place.  I work hard and it pays off.  I come up with ideas, put them into play and I have success.  I try to treat my customers the way I'd want to be treated.  Thank you to all of my customers who return again and again, and welcome to anyone who is new and stopping by for the first time.

If you've ever dreamed of starting your own business I will give you these words of advice that were passed on by a friend who is also an entrepeneur "if you do what you love, the money will follow".