206: From Abandoned Gas Station to Award-Winning Pet Boutique: Anita Freund's 67% Growth Story

What happens when a real estate professional spots a gap in the market and decides to fill it herself? Meet Anita Freund, who transformed an abandoned Shell gas station into Portage County's award-winning pet boutique in just two years.  From self-funding her startup to achieving 67% sales growth and recently purchasing her building, Anita's grassroots marketing mastery proves that community connection beats big budgets every time! Tune in to hear: 🙌🏻 The exact grassroots marketing strategies that drove 1,200 people to her first Artisan Alley event and raised $4,000 for the Humane Society  🙌🏻 Why she moved her setup from the registration area to the finish line at dog sporting events and how this simple adjustment dramatically increased her pop-up sales 🙌🏻 The customer service phrase that replaced "How can I help you?" and makes customers' faces light up every single time 🙌🏻 How the Pet Boss Nation planner became her daily communication tool for the entire team and the specific ways she uses it to track everything from weather patterns to sales goals Anita's story proves that when you combine industry knowledge with genuine passion for pets, you create unstoppable momentum - even when starting with a "yucky old gas station." ABOUT ANITA FREUND Owner, BowWow Meow Boutique Anita Freund is the owner of BowWow Meow Boutique, an award-winning premium pet supply store serving Stevens Point, Wisconsin and the surrounding community of sixty thousand. A licensed real estate professional with EXIT Realty CW, Anita brings diverse experience from residential and commercial real estate sales, marketing, hospitality, and tourism to her entrepreneurial venture. In 2022, she identified the need for a pet store focused on exceptional customer experience and successfully transformed a former Shell gas station into a thriving retail destination that was voted Best Pet Store in Portage County within just two years. Through grassroots marketing, community partnerships, and unforgettable customer experiences including photo ops, paint-your-pet parties, and unique services, Anita has built strong community trust while growing sales by sixty-seven percent year-over-year. Her commitment to creating memorable experiences and supporting local pet services has established BowWow Meow Boutique as a beloved community hub for pet owners throughout central Wisconsin. Transcript Show Notes