Exploring Life & Business with Meagan Powers of PowerHouse Bullies/PowerHouse Farms

Today we’d like to introduce you to Meagan Powers

Hi Meagan, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My name is Meagan Powers, and I’m from the Baltimore, Maryland area but ultimately ended up here in North Carolina. My journey began with a strong academic foundation—I earned my undergraduate degree in Health Promotion from Coastal Carolina University and then an MBA from East Carolina University. I have always had a passion for animals and knew ultimately I would love to make a career for myself involving them. Currently, other than my focus on our businesses, I work full-time as an HR Director for an Optometry company.

My husband, Troy Powers, and I met in 2015 and later married in 2018. He has a unique background, having grown up in Okinawa, Japan due to his family working for the DOD. After moving to the United States, he dedicated nine years to serving in the Army before retiring. He currently works full-time as well servicing pools. He also has a huge passion for animals, especially dogs. Together, we’ve created a vibrant family life with our two daughters, Kallie and Raelyn, who actively help us with our entrepreneurial ventures.

When we moved to Kenly, NC, back in 2021, and purchased four acres of land, we took the leap into entrepreneurship by launching our two businesses: PowerHouse Farms was first later followed by PowerHouse Bullies which was opened in 2023.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Starting our own business has certainly come with its challenges. One of the biggest hurdles has been our home itself, which has presented a series of ongoing issues since purchasing it. Since this is where we run our business, it’s crucial that everything is in top shape especially for all of our animals. So this has set us back many times and we would be further along in our business without those issues. Additionally, the startup costs have been daunting, and only now are we beginning to see some return on our years of hard work.

We’ve faced other setbacks, particularly when our dogs don’t conceive during breeding. This means waiting another six to eight months to try again, and it’s a stark reminder that breeding dogs and chickens doesn’t guarantee a steady income; numerous factors come into play. The costs associated with breeding bulldogs are significant, including expenses for breeders, progesterone testing, stud fees, insemination, C-sections, and daily care which most do not realize when wanting to purchase one. Also, whelping a litter is a full time round the clock job that we do not take lightly.

Time is another major challenge we have faced and continue to face. Balancing research, animal husbandry, marketing, and client communications while working full-time and raising our two daughters—who are also involved in competitive cheer—can be overwhelming. Thankfully, our girls step in to help whenever they can, and we truly couldn’t do it without their support. Despite the struggles, we remain committed to our passion and are determined to make this dream a reality.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Both of our businesses are proudly family-run and veteran-owned. As a small operation, we pour our hearts into everything we do, ensuring a personal touch in every aspect of our work. At PowerHouse Bullies, we focus on breeding healthy, high-quality English and French bulldogs. We also specialize in fluffy French bulldogs which are a little more rare than the typical short haired Fenchie. Our commitment to ethical breeding practices stems from a deep passion for these breeds, and our dogs are treated as cherished family members, often sleeping in our beds and cuddling on the couch. Our mission is to provide exceptional care and love to our furry friends, ensuring they find their forever homes with ease. We strive to meet AKC standards and ensure the health of our French and English Bulldogs because of our deep passion for this wonderful breed. We also plan to expand our services, including stud services and whelping assistance for other breeders. We’re excited to be introducing our handsome fluffy French bulldog, Mack, who will be available as a stud starting in March 2025. Our goal is to reduce our outside work commitments so we can also begin whelping litters for fellow breeders. This service allows us to take care of the maternity and early puppy care for their litters during those crucial first few weeks, freeing the owners up to focus on their own full-time jobs. Whelping requires a significant time commitment, and we’re here to support our fellow breeders with love and dedication.

In addition to our dog breeding business, we have a love for chickens and pigs, which is reflected in PowerHouse Farms. We specialize in breeding high-quality Silkie and Polish chickens, offering both the birds and hatching eggs. Our small pig rescue is another labor of love, providing a safe and nurturing environment for six pigs, four of whom were rescued. Pigs have been my favorite animal since childhood, and I’m driven to help educate others about responsible pet ownership in the mini pig community. There is a huge need for sanctuary for pigs and though we are small right now we are trying our best to help any way we can.

Our home is a lively hub of activity, filled with the sounds of barking dogs and clucking chickens. When we’re not busy with our corporate jobs, we dedicate our weekends to caring for our animals. There are a lot of long days and late nights but we wouldn’t have it any other way. We dream of eventually transitioning to full-time work in solely our businesses, allowing us to fully embrace our passion for animals while building a legacy of compassion and responsibility.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
High rewards often come from taking significant risks. Starting your own business, regardless of the field, involves uncertainty. You invest substantial time and money without any guarantee of success or profitability. This is particularly true in our line of work, especially with dogs. The bulldog breeding market can be oversaturated, meaning there’s always a risk that a litter may not sell despite the considerable investment of time and resources.

We’ve poured thousands into acquiring high-quality dogs, their care, and all the necessary supplies. Additionally, there are inherent health risks for both the mothers and their litters, especially with bulldogs, which require C-sections and cannot deliver naturally. This adds another layer of risk, as the outcome can be unpredictable and sometimes lead to tough losses.

The same challenges exist in the chicken breeding world; chickens can be quite finicky, and factors like bad weather can complicate the breeding process. When it comes to rescuing pigs, there’s always a level of uncertainty regarding their backgrounds. Many of these animals may come with underlying health issues, often stemming from their past treatment. As a result, we face the possibility of significant veterinary expenses as we work to provide them with the care they need.

Overall, we believe that the risks we take are worth the potential rewards, and we eagerly anticipate how we will continue to thrive in the future. While we haven’t yet made the full transition to focusing exclusively on our businesses without outside employment, we are optimistic about achieving that goal in the near future as we continue to grow.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.powerhousebulliesnc.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/powerhouse_bullies_nc/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR34rJQvusz4fKdqM-gK2F3BEG8jpzzvhy4vbxfrgB03R0q-2MwdmyAafnQ_aem_QG2g5SUzWFXN_75mGsRNNA
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090152454690
• Other: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090282953378