"We had a very short window to close, and Guidant walked us through every step."
Michelle Murphy
From Cracker Barrel to Canine Kingdom: The Murphys' Leap into Entrepreneurship
Michelle and Chris Murphy
Quick Facts
Location
Business Type
Independent
In Business Since
2022
Customer Since
2022
Employees
6
A Life Gone to the Dogs (In the Best Way)
It all started with a towering English Mastiff and a chance encounter. Chris Murphy, then a dog-loving Cracker Barrel manager, spotted the breed while dropping off his Labrador at a kennel. That moment planted a seed that would eventually grow into a life surrounded by 27 Mastiffs, championship dog shows, and, ultimately, a thriving commercial dog boarding business.
But the Murphys didn’t start out planning to become entrepreneurs. Chris and his wife Michelle had tossed around the idea of owning a business for years, but it wasn’t until a friend serendipitously forwarded a kennel listing that their casual musings turned into a tangible opportunity. What made that listing stand out? It was only 30 minutes from their home and happened to check all the right boxes.
A Passion-Powered Pivot
Dog lovers at heart, the Murphys were already well-acquainted with the nuances of caring for large-breed dogs. Chris had been involved in breeding and showing English Mastiffs for over two decades, even chairing a regional show club in Florida while living in Kentucky. Michelle, initially skeptical, eventually got on board, especially when they considered how the business could impact their daughter’s future.
With dreams of becoming a veterinarian, their high-school-aged daughter became the emotional and strategic center of their decision-making.
“We thought, what if we created something she could grow into?” Michelle explained. “Owning a facility like this could give her invaluable experience and maybe even a platform for her own practice someday.”
The Guidant Gateway
There was just one obstacle: how to finance the acquisition.
With most of their assets tied up in retirement accounts and the stock market, the Murphys found themselves needing a creative solution. That’s when they discovered Guidant Financial and the 401(k) Business Financing method known as ROBS (Rollover for Business Startups).
“Chris found Guidant, and it was a game changer,” Michelle said. “We had a very short window to close, and their team walked us through every step.”
From forming the corporation to setting up the retirement plan and wiring the funds, the process was swift – they saw the property in May and closed by June 30th. Michelle recalled handling backend logistics over the 4th of July weekend while Chris jetted off to a dog show. “It wasn’t for the faint of heart,” she laughed.
Taking Over the Pack
The business they acquired was underperforming and poorly managed. Still, on their first day of ownership, they walked into a full house – 48 dogs. While the numbers seemed promising, it quickly became clear that the real work lay in restructuring operations and transforming culture.
“The previous owner didn’t run the place well,” said Chris. “And bad employees attract more bad employees. We had to flip that dynamic.”
Borrowing a page from his Cracker Barrel days, Chris hired small groups of like-minded staff who shared values and work ethic, slowly phasing out the outliers. Michelle, meanwhile, dove into the finances, realizing they were only charging for 15 of those 38 dogs on opening weekend.
Efficiency Unleashed
The Murphys wasted no time implementing changes. From improving “potty cycle” efficiencies to investing in dedicated runs and renovating the property facade, they restructured every element for smoother operations. Michelle, who still holds a full-time job as an assistant vice president at a Fortune 500 company, handled payroll, tax filings, and compliance with the precision of a CFO.
“I didn’t go to business school, but I knew we couldn’t afford to get this wrong,” she said.
And they didn’t. In their first year, they achieved profitability. By the second year, revenue had increased by 50% over their own numbers and by over 70% from the business’s previous performance.
A Family Business with Heart
One of the most poignant aspects of the Murphys’ story is their dedication to people – both employees and clients. Staff are provided with meals, mentorship, and a strong sense of community. Michelle even jokes that they’re now godparents to 11 dogs in case anything happens to the owners.
Their daughter, who works weekends at the kennel, is treated not as the boss’s child, but as part of the team. The Murphys involve her in financial discussions and strategic planning, hoping to instill in her the same entrepreneurial spirit.
“There are lessons here she can’t learn from textbooks,” Michelle said.
Real Estate and the Road Ahead
The kennel is located across from a Walmart and just half a mile from Fort Knox, offering built-in demand from military families. But the Murphys aren’t stopping there. They’ve already purchased six acres in Elizabethtown, Kentucky – now one of the fastest-growing cities in the country – with plans to build a pet-centric commercial complex.
“It’ll be a one-stop-shop: boarding, grooming, vet services, and a pet store,” Chris envisioned.
They’ve even turned down $2.5 million offers for the land, believing the long-term potential far outweighs a quick flip.
Wisdom from the Kennel
What do the Murphys say to would-be entrepreneurs?
“Be ready to take a risk,” Chris advised. “But if you don’t know what you’re doing, find someone who does. For us, that was Guidant.”
Michelle added, “Passion is essential. You have to care about what you’re building. That’s what gets you through the hard stuff.”
They emphasize the importance of treating employees well, staying data-informed, and acting swiftly on great opportunities. And above all, they believe in the power of building something meaningful – not just for themselves, but for their family and community.
Your Next Step Starts Here
Inspired by Michelle and Chris’s journey? If you’re considering business ownership and want to use your retirement funds without penalties, Guidant Financial’s 401(k) Business Financing (ROBS) might be your ideal path.
To learn more, and to hear the full story in Michelle and Chris Murphy’s own words, watch their episode of Create The Life You Want podcast. https://youtu.be/8UIkV8Xcovo
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