Wagging himself away from the spotlight of drama and infidelity to the love of furry friends, Tommy Habeeb, best known for hosting the controversial reality show “Cheaters,” has been charmed into a more noble cause. The TV star and entrepreneur is the latest celeb to enter the franchising space, aiming to launch a doggy daycare brand as an offshoot of his new, rescue-focused public access program “To The Rescue.”
1851 Franchise caught up with Habeeb to learn more about his passion, the inspiration behind his franchise and his vision for the future.
Barking Up a New Tree
Habeeb’s journey in the pet world began decades ago when the star was presented with the opportunity to participate in an event for the spcaLA, an independent, nonprofit animal welfare organization serving Southern California. There, he found himself hosting a pet-focused telethon with none other than beloved actress and comedian extraordinaire Betty White.
“That’s where I really got introduced to rescue — I was blessed when they asked me to participate in that event,” said Habeeb. “Betty taught me so much about the love of rescue animals. She was truly an inspiration in my life.”
Image courtesy of Tommy Habeeb
Then, a few years later at a dinner party in 2017, Habeeb reached another turning point after hearing heart-wrenching stories about shelter dogs and rescues from a friend’s wife who was in the industry.
“Later that evening, I was restless and couldn’t sleep,” said Habeeb. “I kept thinking about those pups in the shelters. I thought to myself there has to be something I can do. It was time to utilize my platform as a television personality to make a difference.”
So, Habeeb decided to do what he does best — make hit TV. His show “To The Rescue,” which airs across various local TV stations, sees Habeeb journeying across the U.S. to “show how animal rescues and sanctuaries operate tirelessly and, against all odds, save dogs and other animals from abuse, neglect, behavioral issues and medical issues.”
Since first airing in 2020, “To The Rescue” has become more than just a show to Habeeb.
“Having a hit TV show allowed me to connect with millions of passionate people every week,” he said.
Image courtesy of Tommy Habeeb
The Family Business Touch
Before his time on the silver screen, Habeeb grew up in and around another glamorous industry: jewelry. His parent’s family-run jewelry store, Habeeb’s Jewelry, has been in business since 1956 and is still going strong today.
“I had an entrepreneurial head start compared to many people,” said Habeeb. “I can vividly remember the lessons my parents taught me about how lucky we were just to have a customer walk in the door of our business, so treat them like family. It doesn’t matter how people dress, their age or their ethnicity — treat everyone with respect and kindness. That is who we are. My mother always taught that it’s better to give than receive. If it was a customer’s birthday, they never left the store without a special gift.”
Image courtesy of Tommy Habeeb
Alongside these lessons of compassion, Habeeb said he was also learning the art of business and customer service.
“I learned how to communicate with people,” he said. “I literally waited on thousands of customers. In doing so, I got to know our customers. I learned about their lives. This taught me the importance of relationships. I guess I learned the ultimate tools for customer service, which is the bedrock in building any successful company.”
Bridging Hollywood and Corporate America
This year, Habeeb decided to combine his experience in television and his early lessons in business to set the stage for a new venture. Upon noticing the skyrocketing popularity of doggy daycare businesses, Habeeb saw an opportunity to bridge his love for pets and his expansive television audience with a doggy daycare franchise called “Winston by To The Rescue.”
“Although my mom and dad taught me about general business and the importance of dealing with customers, as a young actor, one of my mentors was Dick Clark,” said Habeeb. “He gave me the tools to understand the entertainment business and how to use celebrity to drive business and product integration to build a company. I call it ‘Bridging Hollywood and Corporate America.’”
Image courtesy of Tommy Habeeb
“I reach millions of fans every week, so creating a company that will help push our mission forward only makes sense,” said Habeeb. “We are a mission-based company, so every time someone visits our brand, they are helping to save the life of a rescue dog.”
But starting a franchise wasn’t something Habeeb was going to take lightly.
“Over the past year, I’ve been evaluating owner-operated companies versus franchising companies, and I have decided on a hybrid of both,” explained Habeeb. “Each business operation has its own benefits. The franchising model allows me to grow quicker with less capital. The owner-operator model allows me to keep control of the markets that are most important to me, as well as controlling the brand and philosophy.”
In order to ensure he’d be setting up fellow entrepreneurs for success, Habeeb and his team dove deep into the ins and outs of what makes a winning franchise concept.
“Understanding a franchise model was the most important aspect for me,” he said. “Finding a mentor was everything. You would be surprised by how many amazing people are willing to lend their expertise.”
While the franchising process hasn’t been without its share of challenges, Habeeb is still confident in the future.
