The Growth Lab

Systems, Leadership & Financials That Attract Capital
Replace chaos with clarity—before you invest in a second mistake.

Location | Date | Time

Live Oak Bank Campus
1757 Tiburon Dr
Wilmington, NC 28403
Wednesday
October 15, 2025
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
(Includes catered lunch)

Registration

$199 per person (includes catered lunch)

Limited seats available

Who Should Attend

Pet hotel and pet care business owners actively scaling to multiple locations

Veterinarians expanding into daycare and lodging services

What You’ll Learn

Intensive, high-impact sessions designed to transform your business

Fix the Leaks, Fund the Dream – A TDG Signature Session

Your messy back-end is killing your growth – and your funding potential.

Uncover the hidden financial red flags and profit leaks that block your ability to scale
Get plain-English clarity on EBITDA, cash flow, and hitting that magic 30% margin
Build the leadership team and systems investors look for
Learn what makes your business attractive (or risky) to lenders and partners

“Budgeting Your Project: Build with Confidence”

Presented by Jeff Adney of TWC

Whether you’re planning new construction, a renovation, leasehold improvements, or a remodel, a solid budget is your roadmap to success
Learn how to account for all hard and soft costs to avoid hidden surprises
Discover strategies that keep your project on track and your loan approval process smoother
Walk away with tools to help ensure your project finishes on time and on budget

“What Lenders Really Look For: Avoid the Funding Rejection Pile”

Live Oak Bank Segment

SBA vs Conventional Lending – Where do you fit?
The Bookkeeping & Financial Mistakes that Kill Deals
How to Position Your Business to Get a “Yes”
Lender Red Flags and What We Love to See

Hands-On Workshop: “Profitability Pulse Check”

A TDG Signature Session

A guided self-assessment to determine if your business is financially and operationally ready for growth

Meet Our Speakers

Learn from industry leaders and financial experts

Amber Burckhalter

The Dog Gurus Coach & Former Multi-Million Dollar Pet Business Owner

Amber began her career in the pet industry at 16 as a veterinarian assistant. She launched K-9 Coach with a $500 investment in a parking lot and grew it into a multi-location, multi-million dollar full-service pet facility. With over 25 years of experience, Amber is a powerhouse of expertise in building successful teams, mastering financial growth strategies, and preparing businesses for sale. Her accolades include the SBDC Small Business of the Year Award and the APDT’s Chairman’s Award.

Jacqueline Pait

Live Oak Bank – Pet Care & Veterinary Specialist

Jacqueline joined Live Oak Bank in 2015 and now specializes in serving pet care facility and veterinary practice owners. She helps secure financing tailored to their unique business needs and is responsible for analyzing, evaluating, and structuring new loan applications. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from UNC Wilmington and lives in Wilmington, NC with her husband and two children.

Claire Cronin

Live Oak Bank – Veterinary & Pet Care Facilities

Claire joined Live Oak Bank in 2015 and transitioned to the veterinary and pet care facilities team in 2018. She focuses on helping clients navigate financial solutions for acquisitions, expansions, start-ups, and renovation projects. Claire is dedicated to providing financing options that empower her clients to grow and strengthen their businesses. She lives in Atlanta, GA with her husband and three children.

Jeff Adney

Director, PermaTek Coatings – TWC

Jeff is Director of PermaTek Coatings, specializing in floor and wall coating solutions for the animal care industry. With 20 years in the resinous coating industry and 16 years in Animal Care, Jeff consults with designers and architects and is a sought-after speaker at animal care conferences. He earned his BA at the University of Evansville and holds a Master Certificate in Decorative Concrete.