Molly McAleer, founder of Full Moon Kennels, is a lifelong animal lover. Her inspiration to open a dog kennel originated from an exceptional experience boarding her own two dogs 20 years ago at a kennel in Wapato, Washington. The owners of the kennel had transformed a barn into a facility with spacious, fenced-in play areas. Molly remembers traveling over an hour to drop off her dogs. They loved the kennel so much, they would happily run off to play without looking back. Molly recently acquired Full Moon Kennels and aspires to create a similar sanctuary for dogs at her newly acquired facility.
The journey to owning Full Moon Kennels was not without its challenges. Purchasing a local and well-known kennel required significant financial investment, and securing a loan was a key component to making this dream a reality. With years of savings and determination, Molly was able to put an offer in on the business. However, obtaining a loan required additional resources and guidance to create a thorough business plan and financial projections.
Molly turned to the University of Pittsburgh Small Business Development Center (Pitt SBDC) for assistance. Lynne Nincke, Business Consultant at the Pitt SBDC, helped her refine her business plan, create financial projections to secure additional funds, and navigate the financial aspects of purchasing the business. Molly also received advice on business planning for the first few years of operations. The Pitt SBDC’s guidance helped direct Molly and Full Moon Kennels toward building a successful business.
While Full Moon Kennels has just recently been acquired, Molly is optimistic about its future. She projects that Full Moon Kennels will become a trusted name in the local dog care community, with a focus on providing unmatched outdoor experiences for all dogs in addition to expert grooming. By sharing the facility with her non-profit, Harmony Dog Rescue, and donating a portion of the profits to the rescue, Molly aims to help more dogs while continuing to grow the business.
Though Full Moon Kennels is in its early stages, Molly is confident in its future success. With guidance from the Pitt SBDC, she has laid a strong foundation to ensure that Full Moon Kennels becomes a thriving business that offers exceptional care for dogs and contributes to local rescue efforts. Her success will be built on her passion for dogs, dedication to the business, and the support she received along the way.