Jill and Donald Nobles’ story is a testament to passion, dedication, and entrepreneurial spirit within the pet care industry. Starting from humble beginnings, Jill’s Pet Resort blossomed into a renowned destination for pet owners seeking exceptional care for their furry companions. This is the story of how Jill built a thriving business, Jill’s Pet Resort, and the smart decisions that led to its successful acquisition.
Jill and Donald Nobles, founders of Jill's Pet Resort, showcasing their journey in the pet care industry.
It all began when Jill Nobles, at the young age of 17 and newly married, decided to support her husband Donald’s college education. Her chosen path was dog grooming, a skill she honed while Donald pursued his studies in Atlanta, Georgia. Upon returning to North Carolina after Donald’s graduation, Jill’s entrepreneurial drive took root. She earned her grooming certifications and launched a grooming business right from her garage. Little did she know, this was the first step in an incredible 23-year adventure within the pet resort industry, ultimately leading to the establishment of Jill’s Pet Resort as a beloved local institution.
Word-of-mouth referrals rapidly expanded Jill’s grooming clientele. These loyal customers soon began inquiring about pet boarding services, entrusting Jill with the care of their dogs while they were away. With a growing number of dogs needing overnight stays – initially nine – Jill recognized a clear opportunity. Expanding beyond just grooming clients, she ventured into offering boarding services. This expansion continued with the addition of a small doggy daycare program, further broadening Jill’s Pet Resort’s service offerings. Over the ensuing years, the business experienced consistent and organic growth. This upward trajectory fueled Jill and Donald’s ambition, culminating in the purchase of a prime piece of land to construct a purpose-built facility for Jill’s Pet Resort. The 12-acre property, strategically located just 20 minutes from the beautiful Atlantic Beach coastline, near a local park and airport, and conveniently positioned between two military bases, proved to be the ideal location. “It was everything we were looking for,” Jill recalls, highlighting the strategic advantages of the location for Jill’s Pet Resort.
Naming their venture Jill’s Pet Resort, the couple embarked on a period of fulfilling growth and community engagement. “It was great having long term relationships with our customers,” Jill explains, emphasizing the personal connection she and her team fostered with pet owners. “I saw dogs from puppy stage who would be with us over the years as they turned silver grey in their old age,” a testament to the enduring trust placed in Jill’s Pet Resort by its clientele.
A cornerstone of Jill’s Pet Resort’s success has been its dedicated and long-serving staff. Jill emphasizes their invaluable contribution, noting that many team members have enjoyed lengthy tenures. Remarkably, one loyal staff member, with an impressive 19 years of service, remained with Jill’s Pet Resort even after the change in ownership, highlighting the strong team culture Jill cultivated. Despite having a committed team, the demanding nature of pet resort ownership meant long working hours for Jill. Seeking to diversify revenue streams without increasing payroll or her already stretched working day, Jill devised an innovative solution.
Leveraging the expansive acreage of Jill’s Pet Resort, she decided to create an exclusive, members-only dog park. “I thought if I make it cleaner and nicer than a public park, I could sell memberships to people who wanted to walk their dogs themselves in a safe place,” Jill explains the concept behind this ingenious addition to Jill’s Pet Resort.
This proved to be a stroke of genius. Memberships quickly filled up as discerning dog owners recognized the significant benefits of a meticulously maintained, ‘vaccinated-dog-only’ park environment. To ensure the safety and harmonious atmosphere of the dog park at Jill’s Pet Resort, all member dogs underwent a temperament assessment. The park itself was kept in pristine condition and boasted premium amenities, including a diving pool and agility area, providing an ideal off-leash environment for dogs to exercise and socialize. Jill and Donald rightfully took immense pride in this unique and successful aspect of Jill’s Pet Resort.
Over the next 11 years, Jill’s Pet Resort experienced substantial growth, accommodating between 100 to 150 dogs for boarding daily. Jill’s grooming team expanded to eight groomers, and her bond with her staff deepened, mirroring her affection for the dogs in their care. However, the relentless pace of business began to weigh on Jill. As she and Donald anticipated the arrival of their ninth grandchild, a shift in perspective occurred.
“I realized all this family time was slipping away. I hadn’t had a Christmas off in ages,” Jill reflects on the personal sacrifices inherent in running a demanding business like Jill’s Pet Resort.
Sharing her feelings with Donald, his supportive response was, “Leave it with me.” Donald embarked on a search for solutions and discovered Teija Heikkila of PET|VET M&A, Sales & Advisory through an online search. Teija’s prompt response proved to be transformative.
“Teija was the answer to a prayer,” Jill gratefully acknowledges. “She really understood our business, and the industry. She made the sales process so easy and became a great friend,” Jill emphasizes the invaluable expertise and support Teija provided throughout the process of selling Jill’s Pet Resort.
ABOUT THE BUSINESS
- Location: New Bern, NC
- Started in 2001
- Owned for 20 years
- Services provided: Boarding, Daycare, Grooming, Training, Dog Park
- 2 buildings, 12,000+ combined SF on 12+ acres
- 112 enclosures with 168 dog capacity
- 30 full and part-time staff.
Acquired By: A Consolidator
While Jill expertly managed the daily operations of Jill’s Pet Resort, Donald adeptly handled the financial aspects. His meticulous record-keeping and alignment of accounts with financial goals proved to be a significant asset during the business sale process. Donald’s financial acumen alleviated considerable pressure on the couple during this complex transaction. Thanks to the strong performance of Jill’s Pet Resort and Teija’s extensive network, multiple attractive offers were quickly secured. One particularly compelling offer – a substantial cash offer from a private buyer – initially seemed difficult to decline.
However, during negotiations, Jill experienced a pivotal realization. While ready to sell the business, she wasn’t emotionally prepared to completely sever ties. Consequently, she decided against the initial high-cash offer and instead engaged in discussions with the fourth buyer on the list – a consolidator. This consolidator proposed a structure where they would acquire the business operations of Jill’s Pet Resort but allow Jill and Donald to retain ownership of the underlying real estate.
“This felt perfect,” Jill explains the appeal of this alternative deal structure. “We could sell the business and get out of debt, but we would still own the land and receive a monthly rent payment from the new owners. It was a great option for us.” This arrangement provided Jill and Donald with both financial security and continued passive income from the property associated with Jill’s Pet Resort.
Jill and Donald are particularly pleased with the chosen buyer, who demonstrated a commitment to the existing Jill’s Pet Resort team by retaining all staff members and enhancing their compensation and benefits packages, including for part-time employees. Having successfully sold Jill’s Pet Resort, Jill and Donald are now embracing a new chapter filled with possibilities. Jill now enjoys the freedom to prioritize her well-being, attending the gym, spending quality time with her family, and exploring future endeavors.
“After being in 5th gear for so long, it’s taken time to adjust to having sold. I still wake up some mornings with my mind thinking about payroll! I’m programmed to grow, grow, grow. It is hard for me to whoa, whoa, whoa,” Jill laughs, acknowledging the ingrained entrepreneurial drive that fueled the success of Jill’s Pet Resort.
Looking ahead, the Nobles are planning to enjoy a period of relaxation and travel, with potential business courses on the horizon. For now, however, their focus is firmly on family, especially their cherished grandchildren.
“I just went through a Thanksgiving and Christmas without working and I enjoyed every bit of it!” Jill concludes, highlighting the newfound joy of family time, a precious gift made possible by the successful journey of Jill’s Pet Resort and the strategic decision to sell.
