Adventures in Birds Inc. began in 1980 with an aspiring woman and a passion for animals. Jean Jordan, founder and owner, of Adventures in Birds Inc. has grown up with animals and a love for birds. Her love for animals started when she was a young girl spending time with her grandmother. Her grandmother began to enjoy caring for just a few parakeets, which eventually grew to an entire chicken coupe. Jean began as an entrepreneur selling birds out of her home in her early years of business. As time carried on she realized that her birds were outgrowing her home, so she relocated to a facility where she could operate and commit to her emerging business.
Unlike local and national pet store chains, Adventures in Birds breeds the majority of their birds. Because their inventory levels are dependant on successful breeding, it is difficult to forecast how many birds will be in stock for a given season. It is not uncommon to have drastic changes in their inventory. However, breeding their own birds gives this company the competitive edge because their customers know exactly where their bird comes from.
Jean attributes her success to learning the hard way – through trial and error. Running a business of this kind can have many challenges. Part of her business is dependant on livestock and the other part is dependent on boarding and supplies. Therefore, keeping the animals alive and healthy is always a priority. Because diseases can spread very quickly among birds, a veterinarian visits the facility weekly. Jean is diligent in ensuring that her facility is clean. Employees arrive at 8:00 a.m., two hours before opening, to scrub and sanitize the facility.
Adventures in Birds not only specializes in selling birds and bird products, but Jean also grooms and boards birds when their owners are away. She is amazed by the relationships that are built between the birds and their owners. She loves when an owner comes into drop off their bird and they hand over a list of things that must be done to keep the bird happy. Jean and her staff always sticks to these lists and appreciate that their clients care as much for the birds as they do. Jean believes that the bond between birds and their owners is extremely important if the bird is unhappy the client will be as well. Adventures in Birds offer clients the option to buy baby birds, but they cannot go home until they are able to eat on their own. Jean believes that when clients come in and socialize with their babies the relationship is stronger and the birds are easier to train.
Adventures in Birds is about more than just selling birds. Jean and her successful team of six employees are experienced with other exotic pets. For instance, the team cares for two Lemurs at the store. The Lemurs are a large draw to customers wanting to catch a peak at these exotic animals in person. Jordan also has a Capuchin Monkey named Pretty Girl who was previously a service monkey and used sign language. According to Jean, the monkey is full of surprises. She loves to turn on faucets and squirt tubes of medicine all over the room when no one is looking.
When a potential customer walks in the door, no one pounces to initiate a sale that may or may not be desired. Instead, customers are encouraged to ask questions and learn about the various birds that are available for purchase. When treated with respect, customers gain a sense of comfort and admiration for what Jean and her colleagues provide. This respect and credibility often leads to sales that are wanted and thus business, customer, and bird are all rewarded by a new relationship that will truly thrive. Seasoned patrons and prospective owners are given the same treatment: a warm welcome, assurances that no question is a dumb question, and all the time in the world to make whatever decision they need to make when it comes to purchasing a feathered friend. Jean knows what makes birds and people nervous and she expertly teaches potential owners how to react to bird behavior and how to grow a relationship with a brand new baby bird.
What sets Adventures in Birds a part from any competition is the personable service and extensive knowledge that Jean brings to the table for birds of all types. She likes to keep her focus on breeding rare birds and said that “I would like to be remembered for keeping the species alive and for my work in teaching people about the animals and how to maintain them."
This biography about Jean Jordan and Adventures in Birds, Inc. was written by Allen Elder, Greer Hardimon, Sarah Johnston, Ellie Loveman, Brandi Smith-Irving and Jeffrey Thomas, students of the University of Houston-Downtown, Public Relations class, Summer I 2008.
