Todd and Amanda Rowley are the heart and soul behind Williamsburg Pet Hotels, a family-owned business with over 60 years of history. As third-generation pet resort operators, they initially managed all aspects of their family business. While deeply passionate about their work, the weight of doing everything themselves grew overwhelming. Seeking relief and support, they partnered with Pet Resort Hospitality Group (PRHG) to streamline operations and expand their vision. This partnership not only allowed them to focus on what they love most—caring for pets—but also gave them the opportunity to move to Sarasota while still supporting their family business, backed by PRHG. With this newfound freedom and resources, they’re actively working on opening a new resort, continuing their family’s legacy with PRHG’s help.
The Origins of Williamsburg Pet Hotel
Todd’s grandfather, a dog show enthusiast with a particular love for Dobermans and Dalmatians, realized there was no adequate place in St. Louis to care for his dogs when he traveled. This inspired him to build a facility thprovided care and also met the standards he had for hwn show pets. The original Williamsburg facility, a brick building, still stands today, surrounded by the modern world—but in the 60s, it was a simpler place, with fields and dirt roads in what is now a bustling part of West St. Louis County.
As Williamsburg evolved, so did its role in the Rowley family. When Todd was 10 years old, his parents took over the facility from his grandfather and moved into the on-site residence, which they believed was critical to ensuring 24/7 care for the animals. This instilled a strong sense of responsibility in Todd from an early age as he grew up in the business, helping with everything from letting the dogs out after family dinners to running the daily operations. He often jokes that child labor laws should have applied to him during those early years.
Todd’s Vision for Growth
Invaluable experiences along the way shaped Todd’s journey to the family business. Todd attended business school in Florida, where he expanded his knowledge and gained hands-on experience working at other kennels and pet care facilities. Todd’s expertise often stood during this timeout, with many facilities adopting his innovative ideas. When he returned to St. Louis, he was ready to lead the family business with fresh insights and a renewed passion for pet care.
Under Todd’s leadership, Williamsburg expanded significantly. The once-small facility now houses over 200 animals thanks to multiple additions, including a pet hotel, suites, and more. As one of the first facilities in the nation to champion “Daycare,” Williamsburg remains focused on continually adapting to meet the evolving needs of pet parents, ensuring the highest level of service and care. Todd’s commitment to keeping Williamsburg at the forefront of pet care in the region meant constant growth and improvement, and this passion continues to shape the resort today.
Todd’s wife, Amanda, joined the business in 2009 and became an integral part of the team. Amanda focused on the administrative side of the business, allowing Todd to focus more on operations. Their shared love for animals and the business was central to their partnership. Although Williamsburg has always been a family affair, both Todd and Amanda agree that their daughters will have the freedom to pursue their own paths.
The Rowley family’s dedication to Williamsburg has not gone unnoticed. Their attention to detail, cleanliness, and organization have earned them praise, even from industry professionals. Their pet resort is known as one of the cleanest and most well-organized facilities, reflecting Todd’s Type A personality and meticulous approach to every aspect of the business.
The Strength in Partnership as Todd and Amanda Embrace PRHG’s Expertise
In 2023, after decades of running Williamsburg, Todd and Amanda made the difficult decision to sell the business. The mental load of managing everything while raising two children and living on-site became overwhelming. Although Williamsburg remained incredibly successful, the couple wanted more time to enjoy their young family and spend time with Todd’s aging parents in Sarasota.
That’s when the opportunity to partner with PRHG came along. This partnership allowed Todd and Amanda to keep Williamsburg’s special identity while gaining the valuable support of a larger company. PRHG took on more operational tasks, such as marketing, growth strategies, and administrative duties, giving Todd and Amanda more freedom to focus on their standards, goals, and ongoing innovation.
With PRHG’s backing, Todd and Amanda could step back from the day-to-day demands without sacrificing the family-run atmosphere that makes Williamsburg special. They were eager to enjoy the advantages of corporate resources while preserving the close-knit, small-business charm Williamsburg is known for. Additionally, PRHG has drawn on Williamsburg’s wealth of experience, incorporating the resort’s best practices into its broader operations, making the partnership mutually rewarding.
Todd and Amanda remain involved in Williamsburg, with Todd making regular trips back to St. Louis from Sarasota to ensure the resort’s continued success. This collaboration with PRHG has also allowed the Rowleys to pursue new ventures, including their plans to open a second pet resort in Sarasota, where they now live. The partnership has given them the ability to focus on expanding their love for pet care into a new region, ensuring that the legacy of their family business continues to grow.
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