DALLAS, Tex. – Lucca Bella Spa, LLC, a unique dog-only grooming and daycare facility located in Uptown Dallas, was acquired by Dog World Unlimited, LLC last week with the assistance of Sigma Mergers & Acquisitions and its senior business advisor, Jeremy Furtick.
Ana Pieruccetti, managing member of Lucca Bella Spa, opened the boutique early in 2007. Leaving a successful business career, Pieruccetti was finally realizing the dream of owning and operating her own company. Her circumstances, however, drastically changed in 2009 as family obligations were forcing her to relocate back to Brazil. The sale of her business instantly became an urgent priority.
“I had no choice but to sell Lucca Bella, and sell it quickly,” she said. “Having said that, I was not willing to ‘fire sale’ it, or to leave it in the hands of someone I did not like – this was my baby. Sigma understood the dilemma I was in, and not only did they act swiftly and efficiently to locate a buyer, they also treated me and my business with as much respect as I could have possibly asked for.”
Dog World Unlimited manager Diane Ruth, also a Corporate America alumnus, ran across this particular opportunity in her search for a DFW dog business that she could make her own. Although Lucca Bella was, at first glance, not a fit for her, after reviewing the detailed profile and data provided by Sigma and watching the owner interview video, she realized this was the perfect opportunity.
“Initially, I really didn’t see a fit between this business and what I was looking for,” Ruth said. “It was Sigma’s outstanding business profile that changed my mind and prompted me to arrange a meeting with Jeremy. Then after watching Anna’s owner interview video, I realized we were kindred sprits and I had found exactly what I was looking for!”
Sigma also produced another competitive offer from a different qualified buyer, but Ruth’s willingness and ability to move quickly through due diligence to closing made her the clear choice to buy the business. Pieruccetti gives credit to Sigma for making this timing issue clear to both buyers, allowing her to ultimately make a decision that suited her best interests and urgent situation.
“Sigma certainly delivered,” she said. “They understood from day one what my situation was and expressed that urgency to buyers in a professional way that ultimately allowed Diane to present me with a timeline that worked perfectly for me. The way Sigma and Jeremy were able to accomplish this was the difference in me selling the business versus having to close the doors when I left the country.”
Lucca Bella Doggie Spa & Boutique (www.luccabella.com) is located in the Oak Lawn area of Dallas. Since 2007 it has offered clients award-winning grooming, daycare services, specialty retail and unique spa treatments.
Sigma Mergers & Acquisitions’ (www.sigmamergers.com) roots as a Dallas business brokerage and M&A firm date back to 1984. After the company was acquired in 2004, Sigma has grown into one of the country’s most successful firms of its kind. The proprietary Sigma DealMap™ process has changed the way businesses are sold in Texas and has established Sigma as one of the most productive business brokerage and M&A firms in the country year after year. Sigma has closed more than 500 business transactions since 2004, and on average those businesses have sold for 95% of their asking prices.
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