The Green Pet Shop Keeps Business In The Family

Father’s Day is the time of year to give Dad a call, maybe take him out for some good Father-Son or Father-Daughter time.

But Father-Son time has turned into everyday business for Larry and Brian Wright of Deerfield.

Brian has to keep up the communication with his dad, Larry. Larry is not only Brian’s father, but his business partner as well.

The two run The Green Pet Shop, which is not your “brick and mortar” pet shop, but one that operates internationally, conducting transactions remotely and selling larger, bulk items to more traditional pet shops. They do perform some deals directly with the consumer, however, most being conducted via their website. The business does have a corporate office in Deerfield. 

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Larry joined the company in 2009 and soon after purchased it. It’s unique in that not just some, but all, of their products are eco-friendly. That includes the “Cool Pet Pad,” their signature item which pets sit on for a short period of time to cool themselves in the excessive heat.

Business had already taken off, but would become a bit stronger in 2012 when Brian decided to join the company after earning a degree in journalism from the University of Kansas.

“It was an opportunity to build something with my father - who has a brilliant mind of his own,” said Brian, who noted that like his dad, he grew up with pets. “It is exciting to build something together and to do it as a family.”

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Brian’s knowledge of modern media marketing and social media came in handy - since those are topics in which Larry admits he knows nothing about.

“Brian does a lot with social media and other things I have no knowledge or understanding of,” said Larry. “He’s doing a good job understanding the customer base using social media.”

The Cool Pet Pad is a strong example of The Green Pet Shop’s mission to save energy and promote the environment. .

“It reduced the need for air conditioning since you can sit on it and it will cool your whole body,” Larry said.

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The company’s Bamboo Bows for dogs are biodegradable, so they “won’t sit in a landfill for years,” Larry points out as another example of their eco-friendly products.

It goes without saying, both Larry and Brian are pet lovers. Larry says he has been a dog owner his entire life, and Reggie - the current family dog - is a vital member of The Green Pet Shop team.

“He even has his own Instagram account,” Larry said.

Larry has owned quite a few other companies since his retirement as a commodity trader in 1999, but none that incite as much passion as The Green Pet Shop.

“When I bought it, I saw the potential could be huge and special,” Larry said. “I thought about selling it or bringing someone else in to run it, but Brian came in shortly after and we have done real well.”

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The Green Pet Shop has a patent on The Cool Pet Pad so it’s the only product of its kind on the market. But Larry and Brian seek to add more signature items as the business grows.

“We already have hit the human market with pads that can be used for exercise and are looking in to applying the technology for baby carriages and car seats,” Larry said.

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