CELEBRATING LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES
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A FEW QUESTIONS FOR PAM…
Pam Modica
Co-owner of Lazy Creek Pet Food Center
What is your background?
Thirty years in corporate America, working for large and small businesses. The last 21 of which was a fantastic career in project support and corporate training with a global infrastructure engineering firm.
My husband Michael and I purchased Lazy Creek Pet Food Center in 2016. There are two stores: Lexington and Batesburg-Leesville, SC. I helped from behind the scenes until retiring from the corporate world in 2019. At that time, having more time to be in the stores, getting to know our customers and their pets, I decided to add a pet boutique and treat bakery in Lexington. Now I have the privilege of being in the stores most days and volunteering in the communities we serve.
Describe Lazy Creek Pet Food Center.
We’re locally owned and operated, with a dedicated and long-term team of professionals who are also avid animal lovers and protectors. We “think outside of the box,” as in we think about pet nutrition and care very differently than the big box and online pet-supplies retailers. We dedicate considerable time and resources to sourcing products, many from other small businesses, and into learning and providing training about the ever-changing pet care industry and products.
What is a unique feature of your business?
We’re not just locally owned, but as owners, we are in the stores practically all day, every day. We and our dedicated team of professionals have created, and continue to foster, a positive and supportive culture that is somewhat rare these days.
We stay focused on what’s important – helping people care for their pets in the most responsible way possible in a cost-effective manner, and being good stewards of the trust that people in our community have in us to do so.
How did you get started in the pet business?
Kind of by accident as we never thought about becoming business owners. We began shopping at Lazy Creek many years before we bought the business because shopping locally has always been important to us. After Michael retired, he worked part time at Lazy Creek in Lexington. So when the owner decided to sell, we made the leap.
As a small business, what is an advantage you have over big-box stores?
We can and do make real-time, often very quick decisions regarding business operations, team expansion and development, product selections, etc. We don’t have layers of management or corporate hoops through which we must jump when change is needed. And we enlist the help of our team and our customers to make decisions that provide added benefit to everyone.
An example is the addition last summer of a soft serve machine for dog-safe ice cream. We thought of it, asked a few pet parents, queried the indie pet community for machine and set-up ideas, and within a month were up and running. Now it’s one of the best things we do in the warmer months. Plus we get to play whatever music we want and our customers love it.
What do you like most about working in the pet business?
People and dogs. People are customers who trust us with their pet’s nutrition and care. Our team that trusts us with their livelihood. Vendor partners and distributors who love working with us because we negotiate fairly, not just aggressively. Pet professionals in the area who trust us with referrals, and pet rescues in our community who know and trust us to help them.
And dogs of course. We get to go to work and know that most every day someone will bring their dog in for belly rubs and treats. It’s truly rewarding to work in this community that is so supportive of what we do.
How do you define business success?
This may be outside the standard definitions of business success. But for me it’s owning a business:
• That we can do something we love, in a sustainable and responsible way.
• That people value and respect.
• That our team is proud to work for.
• That allows us the time and resources to give back to our community.
What is a misconception about pet businesses?
That every pet supplies store has the same stuff. And that independent pet businesses are more expensive. Neither is true! Independents like us have access to products that are absolutely not available to mass retailers, by design. And we have so many options at every price point.
What is the one piece of advice you wish someone had given you when you started in the business?
Don’t get distracted. Hire great people to do the things outside of your areas of expertise and never, ever take criticism from anyone from whom you would not seek advice.
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
Painfully shy as a child, I still am someone who would rather work behind the scenes than ever be recognized publicly for anything that I do.
What have you always wanted to do but never have?
Jump out of a perfectly good airplane (with a parachute).
What is your favorite place to visit or vacation?
Edisto Beach, SC.
Beverage of choice?
I pretty much drink coffee, water and wine. In that order.
Your favorite meal?
That’s a tough one because I love to cook and I love to eat! Right now, Michael and I both love creating new taco recipes, along with all of the amazing salsas and fresh veggies and herbs we get to include.
Why is the Lexington Chamber important for the community?
By definition a chamber of commerce works toward the common interests of small businesses at a local, state, or U.S. level. And it’s true that our Lexington Chamber offers that through networking, visibility, credibility and other support for a new or growing business.
But our Chamber is much more than that, with programs and initiatives that benefit others in the community. There are student scholarships (and not just for those who are top academic performers), opportunities for new Lexington residents to connect with one another and with long-time residents, community events that are co-sponsored with our Town of Lexington and Lexington County partners. Plus there are opportunities to connect with other local, state, and federal Chamber.
All of this is accomplished with a very small staff and some amazing volunteer shareholders, ambassadors, and board members. Everyone is invited and encouraged to lend their expertise and experience to the success of the Chamber and to our community.
