For the Love of Dogs

I’ve spent my career as a healthcare technology executive. Now, I’m taking a leap and diving into a venture I find energizing: working with, and loving on, animals. 

After my last company exited in August 2025, I started fractional executive consulting. Now I am excited to build out a completely new business:  Salty Dawg Pet Salon + Bakery located on Masonboro Loop Road (opening this summer!). 

This will be the region’s first pet salon with a dual mission to deliver the highest quality services while supporting local rescues: hosting adoption events, visiting local shelters with our services, and creating awareness and support for local rescue organizations. In addition to the Masonboro location, I’m planning on opening two additional locations around Wilmington, along with expanding into the greater Raleigh area – needless to say, when I commit to starting something new, I go all in. 

Caring for animals has always been a passion of mine. Before moving to Wilmington, my husband, David, and I spent twelve years volunteering for, and eventually running, AniMall Pet Adoption and Outreach Center in Cary. There we partnered with over thirty rescue groups to help thousands of animals get adopted. Personally, we’ve worked in animal rescue since 2001 in Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Kentucky. 

We missed that work since relocating full time to Wilmington. So, last summer, with an opportunity to continue my executive leadership work but also return to the fulfilling work of focusing on animals, I decided to take a new path. When a trusted mentor suggested that there is no better time than NOW to live my purpose, the answer was obvious. Get back to working with dogs. 

I have decades of experience running businesses, and I’m excited to apply that wisdom to opening and operating my Salty Dawg locations. I am excited to dive into the rescue community in and around Wilmington and am eager to be joining Wilmington’s robust entrepreneurial landscape. 

To be candid, I’m an introvert at heart and often prefer the company of dogs. David and I have three: Gracie, a two-and-a-half-year-old American Foxhound from the Pender County shelter; Stella, a three-year-old Plott Hound mix from Columbus County; and Tucker, our 11-year-old Beagle-Bulldog mix from Louisville (KY) Metro Animal Services. We also have Yellow, an eight-year-old Flemish Giant mix rabbit who clocks in at 16 pounds. 

I am proud of my corporate career in healthcare tech and know that the products and services I represented over those 30 years have helped countless patients, employees, employers, and physicians through improving the patient care process. I’m now ready to turn my focus back to working with animals. 

Ultimately, I’m excited about getting back into the animal and rescue space, making connections, and getting more involved in programs and the local community. 

If you’re interested in connecting with me and learning more about Salty Dog Pet Salon + Bakery, reach out on social media or email me at kim@portcitypetsllc.com. I’m looking forward to starting new conversations.