OWNER | CFO | TOP BITCH

Meet Akasha — Co-Founder & Visionary Behind WagWorld

Akasha is the big dreamer, creative mind, and driving force behind WagWorld. Alongside her wife, Amanda, she turned a bold idea into something a little different from anything else around: a place where dogs, community, nightlife, and unapologetic individuality all come together.

A natural entrepreneur with a passion for bringing people together, Akasha is always dreaming up the next big thing. From developing new experiences and hosting unforgettable events to building a welcoming space for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies, she believes life is too short to play small or follow someone else’s rules.

WagWorld is more than a business to Akasha. It’s a labor of love, a community, and a reflection of her belief that people deserve places where they can be themselves without judgment. Whether you're coming to let your pup run wild, enjoy a drink, meet new friends, celebrate your identity, or explore one of WagWorld’s unique nightlife experiences, there’s room for you here.

As a woman who wears many hats, Akasha brings creativity, humor, resilience, and a whole lot of personality to everything she does. She’s also the entrepreneur behind Wander the World with Akasha by Dream Vacations, combining her love of travel and new experiences with her passion for helping others discover the world.

Her philosophy is simple: dream big, embrace what makes you different, build your own table, and make room for others to join you.

At WagWorld, Akasha is building more than a destination. She’s building a community where dogs are celebrated, humans connect, individuality shines, and everyone is encouraged to unleash their authentic selves.

Welcome to her world. Welcome to WagWorld.

AKASHA’S WIFE | TOP BITCH’S QUEEN

Meet Amanda Nickolas — Co-Founder of WagWorld

Amanda is the heart, hands, and hard work behind WagWorld. Alongside her wife, Akasha, Amanda helped bring to life a vision of creating something truly special: a place where dogs can run free, people can connect, and everyone can feel like they belong.

A hands-on, roll-up-your-sleeves kind of woman, Amanda brings dedication, determination, and a practical touch to the WagWorld experience. From helping care for the property to contributing to the many projects that make WagWorld unique, she is an important part of turning big ideas into reality.

For Amanda, WagWorld is about more than a pub or a dog park. It’s about building community, creating meaningful connections, and giving people a place where they can show up as themselves. Whether you’re visiting with your four-legged best friend or stopping by to meet new friends, Amanda is part of the spirit that makes WagWorld feel like home.

Together, Amanda and Akasha are building more than a business. They’re creating a place rooted in inclusion, authenticity, and the belief that life is better when we have a community to share it with.

Welcome to WagWorld — where the dogs come to play, the humans come to connect, and everybody has a place.

Our Story: The Evolution of WagWorld

One Dream. One Storm. A Community That Keeps Growing.

WagWorld began with a dream to create something different — a destination where dogs could be cared for, people could connect, and everyone could feel welcome.

August 2023 — The Dream Begins

We purchased our property in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina with a vision for three connected experiences: WagWorld Dog Resort, offering boarding and daycare; an off-leash dog park where pups could play; and WagWorld Pub, where their humans could relax and build community. Each piece was designed to complement the others and create something special for dogs and people alike.

September 27, 2023 — WagWorld Dog Resort Opens

Our Dog Resort soft-opened, bringing the first part of our vision to life. We were building the foundation for a destination centered on dogs, their families, and the connections that happen when people come together.

September 8, 2024 — The Pub Opens

After months of hard work, WagWorld Pub officially opened its doors. Another major piece of our dream was in place, and we were excited to grow our community.

September 27, 2024 — Everything Changes

Just 19 days after the pub opened, Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina. Exactly one year after our Dog Resort's soft opening, the storm forced us to close our original boarding and daycare operation.

Our original business model was no longer possible as planned. We faced a choice: give up or find another way forward.

The Pivot — A New WagWorld Emerges

We chose to keep going.

We reimagined WagWorld as a diverse destination built around our pub, private membership-based off-leash dog park, unique events, nightlife, and on-site accommodations. While the original Dog Resort chapter ended, our commitment to bringing dogs and people together never did.

Today, WagWorld is proudly lesbian-owned and LGBTQ+ inclusive. It's a place to bring your pup, enjoy a drink, meet new friends, celebrate individuality, attend an event, or simply find your people. And you don't need a dog to belong here!

Our Story Is Still Being Written

WagWorld looks different from the dream we first imagined in 2023, but its heart remains the same. We've learned to adapt, embrace new possibilities, and keep building even when life takes an unexpected turn.

We're Akasha and Amanda, and we're proud to continue creating a place rooted in community, authenticity, and connection.

Welcome to WagWorld — where the dogs come to play, the humans come to connect, and everybody has a place.s here