Written by Mark Hostutler – Editor, American Community Journals

Dog kennels are traditionally known to be a stressful, even frightening, environment for dogs. Ten years ago, Christine Egbert, a certified dog trainer living in Norristown, saw the need to create a daycare and lodging environment for dogs that is not only stress-free but promotes happiness and fun in a clean and safe environment.

“My background is in dog training, and back then, so many of my clients would ask where they should board their dogs since I was always full,” said Egbert. “I never had a good answer. Most dog trainers avoid recommending boarding facilities because many of them are outdated and run in a way that can be stressful on the animals.”

That’s when she launched her business, BARK U, which now employs 60 people and operates out of a 20,000-square-foot facility on two acres in King of Prussia. Considered The Ultimate Dog Destination, BARK U redefines dog care by offering a facility run by experts that specializes in exceptional service, personalized education, and top-notch lodging, along with dog daycare services.

FOX 29’s Bob Kelly recently visited BARK U and filmed a segment for “Kelly Drives,” his weekly ride around the Delaware Valley where he gives viewers a rundown of what’s happening in local communities. He was quickly wowed by the “doggy paradise” in Montgomery County.

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“We offer everything here from lodging to daycare and training, puppy socialization, and grooming,” said Egbert. “We even have a bus service that picks up dogs and drops them off at home. And then we have two waterparks where the dogs get to splash around in the summer.” Egbert, who founded her business in 2015, spent more than two years building her brand from the ground up. She was operating out of her home, offering dog-walking, training, and pet-sitting services. She knew animals, and she knew how to care for them. What she didn’t know was how to scale a business. That changed when she began to pursue the idea of opening a dedicated facility.

“When I started talking to experienced business people, I quickly realized how naïve I was,” Egbert said. “But what I lacked in experience, I made up for with determination. I believed in what I was building.”

She soon connected with Firstrust Bank — the only bank she has worked with since. In 2018, with the help of Firstrust, she secured a Small Business Administration loan to purchase BARK U’s original facility in King of Prussia. “I was 28 years old with no assets, and Firstrust took a chance on me,” said Egbert. “They didn’t just fund the loan; they guided me through the process. They coached me on things I didn’t know and helped me understand how to structure things in a way that set me up to succeed.” That partnership, she said, was key to BARK U’s first major leap forward.

“I knew I had a great product and how to deliver it,” Egbert said. “Firstrust brought the business expertise. It was a true partnership — they helped position me for long-term success.” It wasn’t long before BARK U needed more space. Egbert found it in 2023 on South Henderson Road, a block and a half away from the first facility.

Before the deal was set to close on the new property, however, Egbert faced what could have been a life-altering setback. “It was about 10 AM on a Saturday morning when I made the call to the people at Firstrust,” she said. “I was at a wedding getting my makeup done and had just learned that my house (in Chester Springs) had burned down. All my commercial loans were tied to that house. Everything was connected. I was left with no collateral.” Egbert, who even had her mortgage through Firstrust, had four bankers on the call within minutes. “The first thing they asked wasn’t about money,” she said. “It was, ‘Are you OK? Are the dogs OK? Is everybody safe?’” Fortunately, they were, but the cause of the fire was never discovered.

“They told me, ‘We’ll get through this. We’ll figure it out,’” she said. “And they meant it. It was terrifying, but they never let me feel like I was facing it alone.” After a little more than a year at the new location, which was designed with the mental wellness and happiness of dogs at the forefront, BARK U remains a place where dogs thrive. Egbert credits much of BARK U’s ability to grow with Firstrust’s willingness to see beyond the numbers — to see the person, the passion, and the potential behind the business.

“Every time I come to them with something new — ‘I know it might sound crazy, but I want to do this’ — their response is always, ‘Let’s talk about how to make it happen,’” she said. “They’ve been fabulous.”

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Learn more about how Firstrust Bank is helping people and businesses achieve success in the very region it calls home.