s I look back, everything I’ve done since I started working as a teenager has led me to where I am now,” says Michele Yandola, owner of Purr Life Luxury Cat Resort & Grooming in Greensboro, North Carolina. “I love all animals, but I’ve always had a soft spot for cats.”

Michele worked in the veterinary medicine field for over 25 years. She started as a receptionist and progressed her way to vet tech, then a vet assistant, and eventually was the manager of three veterinary hospitals. Although she had a very fulfilling career, Michele felt something was missing. She had a real desire to open up her own business, and she wanted it to be exclusively for cats.

“Most people thought I was crazy to leave my job, and that my idea for a cats-only resort and grooming facility was too risky,” says Michele. “But I had a gut feeling that it would absolutely work, so with the support of my husband and our son, I just pushed forward.”

In pursuit of her dream, Michele found the perfect location.

“I knew the building was the right one as soon as I saw it,” she shares. “Although the space was amazing, the inside was a disaster. But I had a vision of what it could be, so we took the plunge and began renovations.”

Michele’s husband, Joe, has his own career but he is very hands-on and involved in the business. He helps with the cats when needed and is a whiz at fixing things at the resort. The couple did much of the renovating work themselves.

“Because of my veterinary background, I knew that cat boarding usually consisted of a small cage with a litter box,” says Michele. “To say the least, that was less than ideal. There was very little room for them to move around, they never got to come out of their cages, and there were dogs constantly barking. I knew that I wanted to do something so much better for them.

“I envisioned making large condos with shelves and cubby beds and toys,” she continues. “I wanted them to be comfortable, feel safe, and be happy—not be confined in a small area. I drew up ideas of how I wanted the condos to be and gave them to our contractor and he said, ‘Okay. Let’s do it’”

After the original condos were built, Michele had the idea to go even bigger, so they added huge family-sized suites. As the resort progressed, they also added a sunroom and a cat movie room where they play cat-friendly shows featuring birds, fish and nature on a big screen that covers an entire wall.

“We opened in November 2019,” shares Michele. “In the beginning, I did some billboard advertising, lots of social media posts, and Google ads. The word was getting out and we were starting to build a nice clientele…then COVID hit.

“We didn’t know how serious it was going to be or how long it would last, and we panicked,” she continues. “Here we were with a brand-new business and rent to pay, and no one could travel. It was terrifying.”

Michele applied to be an essential business for cat grooming. She had to explain how and why grooming was necessary for cats’ health. She ultimately got approved was able to operate the grooming portion of Purr Life during COVID.

“We made it through the pandemic,” Michele says emphatically. “Then, once things began to open up, we were slammed! We can care for up to 60 cats per day. We are pretty much booked for boarding all through the summer, and we always have a waiting list for the busy times and holidays.”

Caring for that many cats takes an exceptional staff, and Michele has assembled a top-notch team.

“I have a very experienced, caring staff,” she shares. “I only hire those with a veterinary background or someone who has worked directly with cats, such as with a feline rescue. I need to hire people who can recognize if a cat is sick, injured, or if anything looks off in any way.”

Purr Life also offers day boarding, which has become a very popular service with their clients. If they have a repair man or exterminator coming in their home, construction work going on, or if company is coming and they need their cat out of the house for a day, day boarding is the answer. That way, cat owners don’t have to worry about someone inadvertently opening a door and letting their cat out.

“The demand for grooming has also exploded,” Michele adds. “We all know that grooming cats can be difficult. But because I have been in the veterinary world so long, I have the experience in safely handling them. Also, it’s quiet here; no dogs. Being in a calmer setting really helps the cats feel at ease.

“What sets Purr Life apart from other facilities is how we care for the cats,” she continues. “It’s a big responsibility that I take very seriously. These cats are other people’s deeply loved family members. Because of the personalized care we give them, we have clients who travel a long distance to board with us.”

Another aspect that sets Purr Life Resort apart is that every cat gets to go into a private playroom or sunroom as part of their playtime. Even though the condos are large, the cats get to come out into the larger space where there are big windows for viewing the bird feeders outside.

The feline guests also enjoy lots of one-on-one time with the staff where they are entertained with toys, brushed and loved on. And, the resort gives report cards and photos and videos to the owners during their cat’s stay.

“Our 20-year-old son, Joseph, is also involved in Purr Life,” Michele says. “He is in college getting his business degree and plans on taking over the business some day. When he is not in school he is helping at the resort as a playtime attendant and report card photographer.”

Due to their incredible success, Purr Life recently opened their second location in Winston/Salem, which is close enough that Michele can be hands–on at both locations. And, as a bonus, it is right next door to a veterinarian. The new location offers all of the same great amenities and services as the flagship location, including full-service grooming, custom-built condos and medical-grade air purifiers.

“My goal is not only to be a successful business person, but to give more people and their cats the opportunity to go where they can be less stressed and happier,” Michele shares. “I am really proud of Purr Life. We started from scratch, we survived a pandemic, and now we’re thriving and adding more locations. Purr Life Luxury Cat Resort & Grooming is everything I envisioned!”