When Andrea Mullins launched Dog Academy LLC during the pandemic, she wasn’t waiting for the perfect facility or the ideal moment. She was starting with heart, grit, and the only space she had: a 1,500-square-foot home. That humble beginning would grow into one of Port St. Joe’s most trusted dog training and boarding businesses.
Built from the Ground Up
Dog Academy began as a training operation, but as clients kept coming back, so did their dogs that needed consistency and structure beyond the training session. Andrea expanded into daycare and boarding. Over time, her living room became a training space, furniture gave way to kennels, and the business grew so quickly that only 380 square feet of the home remained as private living space. It wasn’t glamorous, but Andrea had built something real, something clients trusted.
After a few years, Andrea and her husband, Shaun, spotted an opportunity in Port St. Joe, Florida—a rapidly growing community known as one of the most dog-friendly in the state. Like many small business owners, their biggest challenge wasn’t vision or work ethic; it was affordability in a booming market.
Sitting with SBDC
That’s when they connected with Dr. Len Eichler through the Florida SBDC at the University of West Florida Lewis Bear Jr. College of Business. Dr. Eichler’s guidance was straightforward, honest, and exactly what they needed: start smaller, stay affordable, and be strategic. “These are people whose sole purpose is to make you successful,” Andrea shares. “There’s no money exchanged—it’s just, ‘How do we grow your business? How do we get you off the ground and moving forward?’”
Andrea and Shaun took that advice to heart. That same afternoon, they began reviewing listings in Port St. Joe and found a building that had been sitting on the market for 120 days. The building was listed at $590,000, and the equity injection required wasn’t in hand, but over lunch with a friend, they shared what they were working toward. That friend turned out to be an investor and mortgager. One conversation changed everything. They signed a contract shortly after, worked through inspections, licensing, and city approvals, and on August 21, 2025, they closed on the building.
Open for Business
Shaun celebrated the closing by going straight to work. That same afternoon, he was on-site building dog yards, installing lighting and turf, and creating a space built for real-life dogs and families. On September 15, 2025, Dog Academy Clubhouse officially opened its doors in Port St. Joe.
Since opening day, Dog Academy Clubhouse has grown steadily. The business now employs five team members, serves 15 to 30 dogs per day, and was self-sustaining by month two, growing even through the off-season. “This story isn’t about luck,” Andrea adds. It’s about hard work, taking the right advice at the right time, and having someone in your corner who tells you the truth and helps you build a plan that can actually succeed.” Dog Academy Clubhouse has also given back to Port St. Joe through event sponsorships, youth sports support, and showing up for the community in meaningful, local ways.
“We credit Dr. Len Eichler and the Florida SBDC at UWF for helping turn our bold vision into a sustainable reality,” Andrea states.
To learn more about Dog Academy Clubhouse’s training, daycare, and boarding services in Port St. Joe, visit their website and connect with them on social media.
Ready to start your own entrepreneurial journey? Connect with the Florida SBDC at UWF for comprehensive support at no cost. The experienced team provides the same guidance that helped Dog Academy Clubhouse achieve success.