How Puppysphere Grew Puppy Yoga into 14 Studios, and Is Targeting 100

Puppysphere runs puppy yoga and wellness events across the US, bringing rescue and foster puppies to people who want the wellbeing benefits of being around dogs without owning one. Founded in Toronto in 2021 by Francesca and Leah, the business grew from Facebook group posts to sold-out studios across North America. Today Puppysphere operates 14 studios and is targeting 100 within five years.

The origin: Making other people happier

Francesca and Leah were both going through a difficult period when they each got a dog. The effect on their wellbeing was immediate. The question that followed was simple: if dogs had made them so much happier, why couldn't that be shared? The obstacle was obvious too. Not everyone can have a dog.

They found a format: yoga classes with puppies, held in a studio, open to anyone. They posted in Facebook groups, opened their first Toronto studio in 2021, and couldn't keep up with demand. Classes sold out. They opened more. Those sold out too.

They drove to New York, without permits, without everything in order, and opened a studio. New York responded the same way Toronto had. The concept worked in new cities with the same consistency it had at home.

Puppysphere now runs around 700 corporate events per year alongside its studio classes, with businesses bringing in puppies for team days and staff culture moments. The idea that seemed like a niche experiment turned out to have range.

"People kind of doubted us at the start. Like: you're gonna make a business on puppy yoga? But the smiles we put on people's faces. And businesses love bringing in puppies for staff culture too. It's really turned into a sustainable model."

The challenge: Every new city costs money before a ticket is sold

Opening a studio is capital-intensive before a single class runs. First and last month's rent, a security deposit that can reach $30,000 on its own, flooring, fit-out, furniture, equipment, staff training. All of it has to be in place before the doors open. Then the tickets come in and fund the rest.

Puppysphere was profitable and had strong sales, but the growth pattern didn't look the way traditional lenders expect. Fast-growing businesses don't produce the flat, consistent year-over-year results that banks use to assess risk.

"We didn't really have consistent year over year results that banks wanted to see, but we did have lots of sales coming in and we were profitable."

A recommendation came through a partner: look at Wayflyer. The funding model made sense immediately. Wayflyer looked at the company's trajectory and used their growth metrics to work out a repayment schedule that matched where the business was heading.

"Our whole thing is growth, so it makes sense to have it tied."

The capital: Four studios became fourteen

The first Wayflyer loan funded six new studio openings. All six are still open and performing. Revenue grew by 300% from the base of around $2 million the business was doing across its first three or four studios.

"Wayflyer literally lets us open up without diving into our own cash flow. Then as soon as all that upfront stuff is paid off, the tickets come in and fund the rest of the growth."

A second loan followed. Three of the five studios opening this year are being funded by it, including the fourteenth location opening in LA, with 65% of classes already sold out before the doors open. With those studios performing, Puppysphere is projecting $17 to $20 million in revenue by the end of next year.

The plan is 100 studios within five years, followed by global expansion.

"I can honestly see us using Wayflyer again in the next year and a half. It was honestly the easiest loan company we've worked with. Both times."

Interested in following in Puppysphere's footsteps? Wayflyer has funded over 6,000 businesses worldwide with $6 billion worth of working capital, backed by world-leading financial institutions. Apply in minutes and access funds in hours. Start your application today.