I breed and train dogs that sell for $175,000 each. We place about 20 dogs a year, and it took us a while to be profitable.

Kim Greene began breeding protection dogs after becoming pregnant with twins and seeking protection without firearms or bodyguards. She gained more than 80 pounds during pregnancy and wanted a guardian that could also be a loving companion. She and her then-husband imported two security dogs and planned a $5 million business, but they raised $160,000. The company launched in 2005 and started breeding in 2007. The business matured alongside her sons; twenty years later the company operates with fully trained dogs placed with owners, dogs command premium prices up to $175,000, and Greene expanded the operation after running it alone post-divorce.

"After experiencing intense itching from head to toe, I developed a total aversion to dogs. I made my husband agree that we would never have a dog when we got married. My husband and I both worked internationally, he in defense and me in humanitarian efforts. We met in Afghanistan and later moved to Kenya, which was a region where his harder skillset and my softer skillset could both be utilized."

"There, I found out I was pregnant with twins. I gained more than 80 pounds during the pregnancy, which made me feel like a sitting duck in an environment where a lot of things could go wrong. I wanted protection, but I didn't like the idea of having a firearm or a bodyguard. I wasn't thrilled about the idea of a dog, but it seemed better than the alternatives."

"I started the business just before having twins. My husband and I imported two security dogs from the US. Right away, we thought we could do it better. I wanted to create a dog that would fill the role of a pet, one that could be snuggled and loved, yet also offer protection. I wanted my dogs to be guardian angels for their families."

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