KOP Insiders: Christine Egbert, Founder, Bark U

KOP Insiders delves into the stories of the people who make King of Prussia one of Pennsylvania’s most dynamic live-work-play-stay destinations.

In depth interviews provide insight into the companies that make up our diverse business community and put a face to the individuals behind the business. In this edition, we are joined by Christine Egbert, Founder of Bark U.

Can you start by telling me a little bit about yourself and Bark U and the roots you have in King of Prussia?

After college I got a job in the area, but I also got my first dog around that time, and I found my passion for animals. I realized then that I really just wanted to have a job that I loved, and I was really good with dogs. So, I ended up getting an apartment in Norristown, and I started just doing some small dog training jobs down there. Almost immediately I saw a massive need for animal care services. There were some facilities in the area at the time, but not of the quality that I wanted to deliver for my clients. So, I started Bark U in my basement.

I ended up finding a property in King of Prussia. It needed extensive rehab, so in 2018 we gutted the whole thing. After the first year we exploded so much that we immediately outgrew the space, and I had to start looking for a new place. I knew I wanted to be in King of Prussia, because the market here is just phenomenal, the clients are awesome, and the township is great to work with. So, it took me a while, but I ended up finding the facility we are at now, which is massive. It sits on two-and-a-half acres and the building is almost 20,000 square feet, so it’s about 5 times the size of our previous space. The project took about a year and a half from start to finish, and now we have the largest dog lodging, daycare, training and grooming facility in King of Prussia. It is just unbelievable the amount of business that is in this area. I have about 40 full time employees at this point and we are staffed 24/7. We see about 150-200 dogs a day for all of our services.

Incredible stuff. So, what factors led you to decide that King of Prussia is where you wanted to start?

The dream location was always King of Prussia. It is just the hub of everything right here. We’ve got access to I-76, I-476, it is just the prime location in the area for a business. Especially for what we do. A lot of our clientele tend to be local, and a 10-mile radius is kind of the maximum distance people travel in for. And I had looked all over in other areas in the region, because to be brutally honest, finding a space for this industry is a challenge. I had found some spaces in other areas that were slightly further out, but ultimately, I wasn’t willing to sacrifice not being in KOP. As hard as it was to have to hold out for the perfect space here, it was completely worth it. I think we waited over 4 years to find this dream facility, but I am so glad we did. It is such a central location to all our clientele and the support we have received here is just amazing.

And I take it the community has responded well to the new space?

Oh my gosh, they love it! The team of professionals and experts we have here is just amazing. We needed the facility to give us an amount of space to really take Bark U to the next level. Our clients previously used us not necessarily because we had the fanciest facility, but because we really care about the animals, and we are great at what we do. Now the combination of being in an area that can sustain such a huge space coupled with the experts that we work with; it is really creating this amazing facility that this area has never seen before.

Can you speak at all to how your location in King of Prussia has helped you attract and retain your incredible staff?

Absolutely. First of all, if we were not in KOP, we would not be able to do nearly the type of business we do and run this type of facility. It just would not be sustainable in other types of areas, but because King of Prussia has such a large employment base and a lot of dog owners, it generates a ton of business. So, we are able to attract much more experienced people for our staff. The facility in and of itself is attractive for not only our clients but also our employees. We have almost zero turnover, which is unheard of in this industry. Obviously, we take really good care of our employees, and we are able to do so because our facility is located in an area where we can generate so much buzz. We are in a really good spot right here. It has definitely catapulted us into the company that we are right now. I know a ton of people that own facilities, and they just can’t match up with us, and a lot of that has to do with location and the quality of employees we are able to attract because of where we are.

What are some of the things you like to do in King of Prussia in your free time?

I am a very outdoorsy person, so I love the Town Center. Being able to sit outside and have drinks, that is probably my favorite thing to do. I also love taking long hikes at Valley Forge Park, that is huge to have right here. But I think the Town Center is probably the coolest thing that I enjoy. Just being that close to Wegmans, having a great grocery store — just the shopping in general is so great. It is nice having everything you need right here. I like the restaurants around here a lot, too, but I would have to say that the Town Center takes the cake.

The sense of community is also really nice. And most of these luxury apartment complexes and high rises allow animals. And who is there to watch them? We are. So, we have a lot of clients that are from The Village at Valley Forge, and they need a place for their dogs to exercise. Giving your dog physical and mental exercise daily is a super important part of life. We are so excited to serve all the people that are coming to this area, and as more and more businesses move in, we know that just means more dogs for us to take care of. It’s a beautiful thing.

What advice would you give to someone who was looking to maybe set up a business here in King of Prussia?

I would have to say that there are so many people in this area that want to see businesses succeed and want to help. Getting involved in the Facebook communities for young business owners and just talking to as many people as you can is incredibly helpful. The thing about KOP that I really love is just how friendly everyone is, and they just want to see you thrive here. So, if you are ever unsure about anything, talk to the township, they’re more than happy to help. That is the blessing I have had — the township was phenomenal to work with when I was getting started. I was young, and I had never really done anything like this before, so having the support of the township was such a benefit. Get involved with groups and just start reaching out to people and you will find all the support you need. Especially fellow business owners. We help each other out by offering advice and encouragement. So, be ok with asking for help, there is no shame in that. It is only going to help take you to places you never even realized you could be.

The floor is yours. Is there anything else you want to say about Bark U or your experience working in King of Prussia?

I would love to highlight my staff, because they are phenomenal.. We all worked so hard to get Bark U to the finish line with our re-opening, and everyone did such a great job, all that is left now is to have fun with the dogs. We also have a ton in store. Lots of plans for awesome events all summer long, because the sky is the limit with our new massive space. This area commands dog services, so there is so much to be done.

My dream going forward is to start a non-profit for this area, more focused on facility dogs, so we can train dogs to work in the King of Prussia area at the township building or the police or fire department doing more therapy work. My staff and I have talked extensively about the vision of Bark U, and we love helping people. Our goal is to come up with a fun project like that to do something for the community that is really going to make a difference. We see every day how animals naturally destress people, so we want to do anything we can to help individuals in difficult circumstances. KOP has been so important to us, that we want to give some of that back, so that is going to be the big project on our docket for the next 6 months or so.

About Bark U

Bark U is your trusted destination for exceptional dog care. With a profound understanding of canine behavior and years of experience, we provide a facility that prioritizes your dog’s safety, enjoyment, and stress-free experiences. At Bark U, we offer a comprehensive range of services, including Lodging, Daycare, Grooming, Training, and Transportation, all supported by our expertise and dedication.

333 S Henderson Road, King of Prussia
www.barku.net