Baltimore Couple Wins Rookie of the Year for Pet Care Business

When Rob and Kelley Gludt decided they wanted "one more chapter" together, they didn't start from scratch. They returned to what they knew best: building a business as a family.

The couple had taken very different career paths over the past three decades. Kelley worked as an editor before spending 20 years as a rabbi, while Rob gained hands-on experience in fire prevention, tour guiding, and product operations.

But they shared something important: experience as franchise owners from the early 1990s. When they looked at each other one day and said "it's time for something new," they knew exactly what they were looking for.

"We knew we didn't have two to five years to figure it out ourselves," Kelley said. "We wanted the turnkey business, the support, and someone who would get us up and running as fast as possible."

Their criteria were specific: no brick and mortar location, recession-proof, and something the whole family could enjoy together. That led them to Woofie's, a pet care franchise that matched both their lifestyle and values.

The choice felt natural. The Gludts are urban farmers with chickens, a border collie, and a long history of loving dogs. "We were already living the lifestyle that Woofie's serves," Kelley said.

They launched their North Baltimore territory in summer 2024. Less than a year later, they received Woofie's Rookie of the Year award.

The recognition came as a complete surprise. "I was at the convention in Nashville, and I was shocked," Kelley said. "You put your head down and get through it all, so it was really nice to have the hard work appreciated."

The Ripple Effect

The Gludts' success extends beyond their own achievement. Their son has become deeply involved in the business, walking dogs and handling paperwork, with hopes of taking over one day.

The franchise model provided the support structure they needed to grow quickly. "We've never felt like we were on our own," Kelley said. The company founder even visited personally to ensure they had everything they needed.

Fellow franchise owners have created a supportive network that goes beyond business advice. "It's a culture that they are very intentional in creating," she said.

The couple is already thinking bigger, with plans to expand into Baltimore's urban core. "We have a lot of ideas on how to make an urban Woofie's work," Kelley said.

Looking back, Kelley's advice to her past self is simple: "Trust your gut, and it would be OK." She emphasizes that finding the right match matters more than the numbers alone.

Their journey proves that the best "last chapter" might just be the one you write together.