Owning a grooming business is something I deeply love. I'm often asked how I got into dog grooming, and how I learned the trade. Since this is a fairly common question, I thought I would write a few paragraphs about my life and what brought me to pet grooming.
I was born and raised in Durand. I grew up going to "RailRoad Days" and dancing at "Kathy's School of Dance". I graduated from high school in 1996.
After graduating from Durand Area High School, I got married and moved to Flint. After a few years of working at various jobs and attending college, I just hadn't found my direction. Nothing I did in school really perked my interest, and all the jobs I had were not anything I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I needed a change.
I decided, since I love animals and am constantly taking care of my own dog (she required a lot of medical attention) that I would try grooming dogs. I spent the next 6 months learning the ins and outs of grooming cats and dogs. It was the most fun I had ever had at work! I had found that one thing that I really love and could do for the rest of my life!
Over the next several years I worked at a few different grooming shops. I even worked as a vet assistance for a year. I loved my job. Working with animals is probably the best job I could ever have. Unfortunately, events in my personal life forced me to change from a dual-income to single income lifestyle and the unpredictable nature of dog grooming just couldn't be relied upon to pay my bills. I had to find a more traditional job...
After working for BioPort for about 2 years, my job was replaced with a computer and was laid off. As bad as that sounds, it was the second best thing that happened to me. Right before being laid off from Bioport, I moved back to Durand.
While in Durand and out of work, I realized this was my opportunity to go back to doing what I loved. I talked it over with my husband, and we decided to open my own dog grooming business right out of our home! It was like a dream come true for me. We started construction almost immediately. I canvassed the town with fliers, trying to get as much business as I could. As with all businesses I started off slow, a couple dogs a week, and as time went on, I got busier and busier. Now I'm usually booked out a few days!
Starting a dog grooming business out of my home has been one of the best experiences of my life (second to having my daughter). I get to do what I love and get to do it from my home! Who could ask for anything more!