In 2007, we opened our first location in Chicopee with a big dream: to provide compassionate, trustworthy pet care that felt like an extension of home. Nearly a decade later, our small but mighty team had grown, our reputation had solidified, and our facility was operating near capacity. As our client base expanded and our own lives evolved, raising a young family, buying a home, we knew it was time to grow again.

But scaling isn’t just about finding a second address. It’s about doing it with intention, clarity, and care.

Why Northampton?

As Chicopee filled up, new client requests kept rolling in. Many of those clients were commuting from the Northampton area and regularly asked, “When are you opening one closer to us?”

We took notice. Northampton had all the right ingredients: a strong culture of pet ownership, limited high-quality pet care options, and a vibrant, values-aligned community that we knew would prioritize their pets’ wellbeing. It was close enough to Chicopee for logistical ease, but far enough away to expand our market without competing with ourselves.

Smarter from the Start

We weren’t starting from scratch: we were starting from experience.

Everything we learned in Chicopee, we applied in Northampton. That meant prioritizing a better layout for flow and safety, creating dedicated zones for different energy levels, soundproofing, temperature control, and even carving out grooming and cat care spaces. We added a self-wash station for client convenience, which has been a huge hit.

Building with Heart (and Elbow Grease)

None of this happened overnight. We had 120 days to design, demo, and build. Cory rolled up his sleeves and personally handled much of the physical buildout: laying floors, constructing suites, painting walls, you name it.

We were also lucky to have a landlord who believed in us, a local bank that supported our vision, and a contractor who shared our values. It truly was a community-driven effort from the beginning.

Second Location, New Challenges

Opening a second facility brought new hurdles. Construction costs went over budget. We had to overhaul our technology, scheduling, intake, reporting, to sync both locations seamlessly. Financial management needed to scale too, so we brought on Elizabeth’s father as our part-time, in-house accountant.

And perhaps the toughest challenge of all? Being in two places at once. We didn’t want to lose our presence in Chicopee while nurturing Northampton, and we’re grateful every day for the trusted team in Chicopee that made this balance possible.

Growth with Purpose

We never wanted to become “just another chain.” So we scaled slowly and intentionally, maintaining the same positive reinforcement training methods and high standards of care that made us who we are.

The Northampton response was immediate and affirming. Clients quickly became regulars. We were able to offer more enrichment programs, customized training options, and puppy support; services that weren’t always feasible in Chicopee due to space constraints and competing businesses.

Looking Ahead

Since opening our Northampton location in 2016, we’ve continued to grow, even through the uncertainty of the pandemic. Both locations thrive independently, yet operate like two halves of the same heart.

Next up? Expanding our dog training services in Northampton to meet a clear demand. It’s something we’ve long wanted to offer more of, and now we finally have the space and support to do it.

This journey has been one of grit, growth, and gratitude. Scaling a values-based business is never easy, but with the right people, purpose, and a whole lot of passion, it’s absolutely possible.

This is a contributed blog post by Cory and Elizabeth Staples, the passionate owners of The Good Dog Spot, a premier pet care company with locations in Chicopee and Northampton, Massachusetts. Founded by Elizabeth in 2007, the business has flourished under their combined leadership, growing to a team of over 40 employees and offering expert grooming, daycare, and boarding services.

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