Spending a few hours with Amy Nichols is like attending business school.
The 37-year-old co-founder of Dogtopia, a doggie day-care chain, is a confident, data-devouring businesswoman who leaves sentimentality (except for dogs) on the floor when it comes to advancing her enterprise.
She and her husband, Mike, have built their North Bethesda-based business into a 23-store franchise chain generating $11 million in revenue and a mid-six-figure profit.
Dogtopia opened its first store in Tysons Corner on June 15, 2002.