Mar 5, 2005

Student's Love For Pets Pays Off
By ROBIN CUTTING
Tribune correspondent
PLANT CITY - The love of animals turned into a money- making venture for a high school senior who operates his own pet store.
Stephen Tippie's Fancypet Petstore evolved from a booth he operated at a Plant City outlet mall that since has closed.
``It was very slow at the beginning,'' said Tippie, who was set up in the business at the outlet mall by his parents as a gift in December 2003. ``I was able to cover the rent,'' he said.
When business wasn't picking up as anticipated, Tippie said he thought, ``I had better do something before my business'' goes under.
That's when his pet store was born. Tippie, an 18-year- old Middleton High School student, opened the store in a Plant City shopping plaza last August with money he borrowed from his parents, Susin and Butch Tippie.
``We are very, very proud of him,'' said Susin Tippie, who, along with her husband, owns D&H Pet Farms Inc. in Plant City. ``His business sense is outstanding.''
``He is real customer-oriented,'' she said. ``If a customer comes in and he doesn't have what they need, Stephen will see if he can order it.''
``He's there for the customers and the customers' pets.''
The store, at 1514 S. Alexander St., Suite 108, carries reptiles, birds, fish and other pets and pet supplies.
Tippie, an Eagle Scout who has lived in Plant City since he was 11, has attended animal trade shows for years with his mother. That's what sparked his interest in owning his own pet shop.
``I gained the love for animals from my mom,'' he said.
Sandy Brewer, who has worked for Stephen Tippie since March 2004, said she has been impressed with his knowledge of pets.
``I went in knowing the basic care,'' she said, ``and he is still teaching me things I didn't know. He's very knowledgeable. He trains me in the proper care of the animals.''
Tippie plans to study aeronautical engineering at the University of Central Florida after he graduates from high school. He plans to keep the store as a ``life hobby and side business'' after he gets his degree and starts pursuing a career.
``Petstore is where my heart is. The Petstore will be like my retirement.''