From Dog Training to Franchising: How Passion Turned into 24 Locations with Ryan Wimpey

In this episode of Small Business Big Deal, I sit down with Ryan Wimpey, founder of Tip Top K9 Dog Training, to talk about how one stubborn rescue pup led him down the path of building one of the fastest-growing dog training franchises in the U.S.

Ryan shares how he went from training dogs behind a Chick-fil-A to running a business with 24 locations, a national call center, and a fully systemized franchise model. We dive into:

• The painful personal story that sparked his obsession with dog training

• How passion, persistence, and working for free in the early days helped him break into the industry

• Why systems—not just skills—are the backbone of scalable businesses

• The shift from working in the business to leading it as CEO

• Lessons learned about franchising, culture, and consistency across locations

• How investing in coaches and consultants has fast-tracked his growth

• What makes Tip Top K9's training methodology unique (hint: Pavlov would approve)

• The rewarding impact of helping not just dogs and their owners, but also new entrepreneurs and franchisees

This conversation is packed with practical advice for any business owner who wants to scale, step into the CEO role, and build a company that lasts beyond themselves.

📍 Learn more about Ryan and Tip Top K9: TipTopK9.com

📍 Connect with Ryan on LinkedIn: Ryan Wimpey