It was a rainy April day that led Sydneysiders Jon and Phillippa to Williamtown Museum, sparking a series of events that would see them embark on a sea change and a brand new business.
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Little did they know that in their quest to escape the damp during a trip to look at schools in Port Stephens, an innocent coffee and a flick through the paper at the museum cafe would change their lives.
"We'd had a number of holidays in Port Stephens and had begun to talk about the prospect of relocating there," begins Phillippa.
"We went to look at schools and ended up at the museum coffee shop. We picked up the Port Stephens Examiner and saw the write up for the property and business and it really sparked our attention.
"We gave Michele a call and half an hour later she had confirmed we could go along and have a viewing." Adds Jon.
The property featured showed a family home and dog boarding business; Nelson Bay Kennels. The renovated family home offered a picture perfect life in a beautiful location but finding the right buyer to embrace the business opportunity added a different challenge.
Vendors Charlie and Robyn bought the business in 2013 as an extension to their existing cattery - Cubbins Cattery. The husband and wife team spent several years renovating both the house and kennel, building a reputable business and a stunning home.
"It was very important to us to work with an agent that understood how unique our property is and that finding the right buyer to run the kennels was paramount," says Robyn.
Michele Jones, best known as The Real Estate Lady, was recommended to the couple.
"We liked the fact that Michele was an independent and wasn't going to be restricted by being part of bigger chain of agencies, she was able to be flexible in marketing our home and business," explains Charlie.
"We had lots of interest in the opportunity," says Agent Michele.
"But we had to find the right buyer and achieve everything that Charlie and Robyn wanted to acheive."
Within just two weeks of that fateful call to Michele, Jon and Phillippa made an offer and it was accepted.
With Phillippa a Veterinary nurse for 10 years and John in IT and financial services, their roles are perhaps already carved out.
Along with their two children and beloved family dog, the family will take the reins of the business in July, as Robyn and Charlie embark on their own new journey into retirement.
"It's been so important to us to find the right people to continue the business and take care of our customers and their dogs. And we feel that Jon and Phillippa are the perfect people to do just that."
