That halfway mark is a crucial point – not just for reviewing performance, but for reigniting motivation and building momentum for what’s next. Recognising the value of that mid-year check-in, Director of Petpals, Kevin Thackrah, explains why the brand launched its first ever mid-year Online Conference – and why it’s set to become a permanent fixture.
At Petpals, we’ve always hosted an annual conference in January to bring the network together. It’s a fantastic opportunity to reconnect, reflect and refocus. But earlier this year, our franchisees told us they’d benefit from another touchpoint during the year – something lighter, shorter and easier to slot into busy schedules. So, we listened. And this month, we hosted our first ever mid-year Online Conference.
Held on a Saturday morning, the two-hour virtual event was designed to provide a valuable check-in point for franchisees without taking too much time away from their weekends. The format worked brilliantly – minimal disruption, maximum impact. From insights and practical tools to expert advice and updates, the agenda was packed with content to help franchisees grow their businesses, support their teams and stay energised for the second half of the year.
I opened the session with a network overview and financial update, before sharing one of the most exciting highlights so far – Petpals has officially been awarded the 5* franchisee satisfaction badge from WorkBuzz. It’s based solely on anonymous feedback from our franchisees and covers everything from training and support to leadership and culture. To receive this endorsement from the very people living and breathing the brand every day means the world. It tells us we’re getting the important things right – and it gives us an even stronger platform to build on.
The agenda continued with a session from our Digital Marketer, Katie Morris, exploring how AI can be used to make day-to-day life easier. From streamlining admin and boosting productivity to creating social media content, the tools now available to business owners are more powerful than ever – and it was brilliant to see franchisees getting inspired by what’s possible.
We also welcomed guest speaker Andrew Pain – a TEDx speaker and expert in mental health – who delivered an incredibly relevant talk on managing stress, avoiding decision fatigue and staying mentally strong while wearing multiple hats. These are real challenges for small business owners, and honest, practical advice like Andrew’s is invaluable.
To close, our Franchise Support Manager, David Gray, delivered a practical session on recruiting host families – a growing area of demand for our Home Boarding services. Recruitment, of course, remains a key priority across the network, and David’s session helped provide real clarity and direction.
Franchisees who couldn’t attend live had the option to catch up with the full recording – something we’re finding is increasingly important for accessibility. For me, events like this are all about making sure our support is available and relevant at every stage of the journey.
I’m proud of the culture we’ve built at Petpals – one where franchisees feel part of something bigger, and where support is more than just a one-off training session. Our new mid-year event is just another way we’re staying connected, and I’m confident it’ll become a firm fixture in the Petpals calendar.
