🚀 Gust Mission Control Founder Spotlight: Andrea Bazett, Founder of Pack Animals
Welcome to the Gust Mission Control Founder Spotlight! Gust Mission Control is a founder support community providing expert insight on almost all aspects of startups. In this ongoing series, we’ll highlight the experiences of founders in the Gust Mission Control program, with insights as they navigate the challenges of early-stage entrepreneurship.
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What does it take to go from an idea to a thriving business in under a year? For Andrea Bazett, the answer is grit, adaptability, and an unwavering belief in her mission.
In less than 12 months, Andrea transformed her dream of improving human-canine relationships into Pack Animals, a 3,000 sq. ft. “dog gym” and wellness hub in San Ramon, CA—where dogs and their humans come to connect, grow, and thrive together.
From Passion to Purpose: The Leap from Trainer to Founder
Every hero’s journey begins with a call to action—and for Andrea Bazett, that call came through the bond her family shared with their dog, Maggie. This connection sparked a mission: to reimagine how humans and dogs could build stronger, healthier relationships.
So, in early 2023, Andrea became a certified dog trainer. By July of that year, she founded Pack Animals, and less than a year later, in June 2024, she opened The Hub, by Pack Animals—a custom-built, 3,000 sq. ft. wellness space for dogs and their humans.
Today, The Hub is not only open—it’s running profitably with a growing community of loyal dog owners. Andrea’s journey from trainer to founder is a testament to what’s possible when you combine passion, purpose, and relentless execution.
A Community for Dogs and Humans
Pack Animals offers more than just a gym for dogs—it’s a wellness hub. With a beautiful and intentional space in City Center Bishop Ranch Mall in San Ramon, CA, it features:
- Wellness Classes: Unlimited sessions for members.
- Community Events: Bringing dog owners together.
- Expert Training: Private options for those needing a personalized approach.
- Design with Heart: Custom artwork featuring 140+ dog breeds celebrating the human-canine bond.
Thinking Big, Starting Smart
Andrea initially envisioned starting with a digital platform but pivoted to prioritize physical interactions first, to inform the technology to be built later. This real-world connection at The Hub is helping shape the future of Pack Animals’ digital offerings, which they plan to roll out in phases after gathering insights from their current members.
Lessons from Andrea’s Journey
- Start with Purpose: Build a business rooted in passion or personal experience.
- Validate In-Person: Test ideas in the physical world before scaling digitally.
- Think Big, Stay Flexible: Adapt plans to match opportunities, like expanding from a small office to a dream hub.
- Plan Ahead: Invest in design and functionality that supports long-term growth.
- Prioritize Self-Care: Avoid burnout by building in time to rest and recharge.
What’s Next?
Pack Animals is gearing up to expand their vision. By blending physical spaces with digital platforms, Andrea plans to create a scalable solution for dog owners everywhere.
Andrea’s story reminds us: Big ideas often begin with small, personal problems. When you lean into purpose and adapt along the way, the possibilities are limitless.
Got insights or connections for Andrea as she works to bridge from the physical world to a scalable digital offering? Let’s start a conversation on Linkedin! Check out and comment on the post here
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