What if your morning coffee came with a giraffe strolling past your window? We sit down with Molly to unpack the bold vision behind Wilde Manor, a restored 1854 estate in Halifax County transforming into a stay-over safari that blends hands-on animal encounters with real conservation impact. This is a rare peek behind the curtain of exotic animal care, hospitality design, and the relentless grit it takes to open a zoological facility from scratch.

Molly traces her path from vet tech school to exotic medicine while her husband honed behavioral training and exhibit design—two skill sets that power an experience built for animal welfare and guest wonder. We talk through the tough parts most people never see: zoning battles in one county that shut the door after a year of effort, fifteen-hour supervisor meetings in another, seven-figure insurance requirements, and the daily logistics of housing giraffes in Virginia winters, caring for African penguins, and coordinating specialized animal transport. Along the way, we explore why overnight stays unlock deeper empathy than a quick lap through a zoo and how thoughtful habitats, heated barns, and pasture design balance guest access with animal choice.

Money meets mission here. While zoological facilities can generate strong revenue, Wilde Manor hardwires giving into the model: a percentage of every booking supports conservation programs in Africa. Molly shares stories from multiple trips across the continent and explains how ecotourism dollars protect wildlife and communities. We also dig into the mental health benefits of immersion in nature—rolling hills, birdsong, and quiet trails—as a counterweight to the screen-heavy grind of entrepreneurship.

If you care about animals, meaningful travel, or the reality of building something original, this conversation delivers practical insight and honest encouragement. Come for the penguins and giraffes; stay for the blueprint on resilience, regulation, and purpose-driven design. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves wildlife, and leave a review to help more people find the show.

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