ANN ARBOR, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 19, 2025--
DaySmart Software, a leading provider of business management software for entrepreneurs and small businesses, has appointed Michelle Ober as General Manager of its growing Pet Business Unit. Ober, an experienced leader in pet industry software, joins DaySmart to strengthen its capabilities in serving the full spectrum of pet care professionals as the company solidifies its commitment to the pet care sector.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250519769718/en/
Ober joins DaySmart from Gingr and Togetherwork. She was the third employee at Gingr, a provider of software for pet boarding, grooming and daycare businesses, in 2015. When Gingr was acquired by Togetherwork, Ober became CEO/Product Leader for Gingr and later led Togetherwork’s entire Pet Care Unit, which also included Revelation Pets and PetExec. Ober’s approach centers on understanding the needs of pet professionals and building customer-centric solutions that make it easier for them to run their businesses.
Ober is coming on board at a critical time. DaySmart’s Pet Unit has evolved to service a comprehensive range of pet professionals, including groomers, dog walkers, pet sitters, boarding facilities, daycares and veterinarians. This differs from competitors who may focus on specific segments like grooming or veterinary services.
"Michelle's understanding of the pet care space is unparalleled," said Patrick Shanahan, CEO of DaySmart. "She understands the needs and struggles of our customers and is committed to providing them with the tools they need to succeed. Also, her experience in scaling products and platforms aligns perfectly with our vision for the Pet Business Unit. Her leadership will be instrumental as we deepen our capabilities in two specific areas -- pet boarding and daycare -- where Michelle has significant expertise."
Ober will lead a Pet Business Unit -- which includes DaySmart Pet, DaySmart Vet and Time To Pet -- that is already stacked with pet industry expertise. Mike Grenier, the founder of Time To Pet who now serves as DaySmart’s SVP of the Pet Business Unit, said: “Michelle’s experience and passion will strengthen our abilities to help pet professionals start, grow and manage their businesses. We are so excited for how the customer relationships and strategic vision Michelle brings will propel us forward.”
According to Ober: “At DaySmart, I’m privileged to be able to lead a talented team that’s dedicated to helping pet professionals grow and thrive. The potential to develop new ways of helping our customers as well as attracting new customers to our platform is limitless. It’s an exciting time at an exciting company!”
Looking further ahead, DaySmart envisions providing a unified experience for pet parents, where a single system and app will seamlessly manage all pet parents’ pet care needs, from grooming appointments to boarding reservations and veterinary visits.
About DaySmart Software
DaySmart Software provides industry-leading business management software and payment solutions designed to empower entrepreneurs to run and grow their businesses. Since 1999, DaySmart has offered vertically focused cloud-based applications and payment processing solutions to businesses of all sizes across a range of industries, including recreation, vet, pet, salon, spa, and body art. The company’s comprehensive platform helps customers manage, connect, and grow their client base within a single solution. Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, DaySmart is committed to innovation and to the success of its customers.
Picture of Michelle Ober
NEW YORK (AP) — Bo Bichette and the New York Mets agreed Friday to a $126 million, three-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal was subject to a successful physical and had not been announced.
A two-time All-Star at shortstop with the Toronto Blue Jays, Bichette will move to third base with the Mets, who have Francisco Lindor at shortstop. Bichette has never played a professional game at the hot corner.
Bichette can opt out of the deal after the first or second season to become a free agent again. He would receive $47 million for one year and $89 million for two years, the person said.
The deal does not contain any deferred money and Bichette gets a full no-trade provision. His $42 million average annual value ties for the sixth-highest in baseball history.
It was the latest big development in an eventful offseason for the Mets, who angered fans by letting popular slugger Pete Alonso and star closer Edwin Díaz leave in free agency. President of baseball operations David Stearns also traded two other stalwarts in outfielder Brandon Nimmo and versatile veteran Jeff McNeil — both homegrown players.
New York signed closer Devin Williams to a $51 million, three-year contract, infielder Jorge Polanco to a $40 million, two-year deal and reliever Luke Weaver to a $22 million, two-year agreement.
Although he lacks Alonso's prodigious power, Bichette is a proven hitter with lightning-fast hands and a penchant for line-drive doubles. He would give the Mets a dangerous right-handed bat to help complement lefty slugger Juan Soto.
Because of his inexperience at third, however, Bichette becomes the latest question mark in the field for New York even though Stearns has insisted the team must improve its defense and is determined to do so.
Polanco has one pitch of major league experience at first base, where he and Mark Vientos, previously a third baseman, are the leading candidates to replace Alonso.
New York had planned to start Brett Baty at third, where he provides a strong glove. Baty, who also has experience at second base, is viewed as a versatile defender who could see time in the outfield and perhaps at first.
Or, the Mets could look to trade Baty for pitching or outfield help. Gold Glove winner Marcus Semien is set to play second after arriving from Texas in a November trade for Nimmo.
Bichette batted .311 with 18 home runs, 94 RBIs and an .840 OPS in 139 games for the Blue Jays last year. He homered off Shohei Ohtani in Game 7 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Late last season, Bichette sprained his left knee in a Sept. 6 collision with New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells, keeping the infielder out of the lineup until the World Series. He returned for Game 1 against the Dodgers and played second base for the first time in six years.
Bichette led the American League in hits in 2021 and 2022. He finished second in the major leagues in batting average last season to Yankees slugger Aaron Judge.
Bichette turned down a $22,025,000 qualifying offer from the Blue Jays in November, so they would receive an extra draft pick in July after the fourth round if he completes his deal with the Mets.
New York would forfeit its second- and fifth-highest draft picks, along with $1 million in 2027 international signing bonus pool allocation.
Bichette was one of the last remaining big-name hitters on the free agent market after outfielder Kyle Tucker spurned the Mets and agreed Thursday to a $240 million, four-year contract with the Dodgers.
Bichette, who turns 28 in March, has spent his entire career with the Blue Jays since they selected him in the second round of the 2016 amateur draft. He is a .294 career hitter with 111 home runs and an .806 OPS in 748 major league games.
He is a son of former big league slugger Dante Bichette, a four-time All-Star outfielder.
AP Baseball Writers Ronald Blum and David Brandt and AP Sports Writer Dan Gelston contributed to this report.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/mlb
FILE - Toronto Blue Jays' Bo Bichette celebrates his three run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the third inning in Game 7 of baseball's World Series, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, in Toronto. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)
FILE - New York Mets President of Baseball Operations David Stearns responds to questions during a news conference about MLB trade deadline deals, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith, File)
