MY STORY AND HOW IT ALL BEGAN FOR ME

Anyone can change their destiny if they really want to and I am living proof myself. 26 years ago I was a young naval wife with a baby. I had a small select kennel of Old English Sheepdogs with which I was winning well in the show-ring. It was great to have such an addictive hobby, but unfortunately very expensive to travel and show!! and with only one income to rely on this had become a drain on our resources. I had seen that people were able to make a 'living' from grooming dogs so I decided in my infinite wisdom that I would become a 'dog groomer' and earn enough money to pay for the showing and feeding and veterinary treatment for the dogs.

LITTLE DID I KNOW THAT THIS CHANGE OF DIRECTION WAS GOING TO LEAD ME ON A ROAD OF NO RETURN AND CHANGED MY LIFE FOREVER!

At this time we lived just outside Bristol and after some research found that I could attend a course in Bristol -BRILLIANT- the next step was to persuade my husband that this was a good idea! -SUCCESS- and off I went and relished every minute, this was definitely for ME, I loved it. What more could you want than to make money out of doing something that you love, this was heaven.
When I finished my grooming course I couldn't wait to get my teeth into my new career. I carefully approached my husband when I thought the moment was right to find out if he could buy some equipment for me - I was met with a reply that I was not expecting - the answer was NO, he had already paid for me to go on the course what more did I want. Now this was a BIG problem that I had to overcome because 'how could I groom dogs if didn't have any equipment'. After a couple of days and lots of thought I decided that desperate problems need desperate measures so when my husband returned from work one evening I told him that I had sorted my grooming equipment, he needn't worry - I had been to see the Bank Manager and borrowed £400! He was horrified at the time, but we look back now and laugh - that was the start of my life as a 'dog groomer'.

My first 'salon' wasn't actually a 'salon' it was a converted caravan in my back garden - you have to start somewhere and this was where I had decided. Once I had enough customers I then progressed to a very small shop just perfect for a 'one man band' and this was where I merrily snipped away for the next 3 years building a nice little clientele and thus employing and training my first YTS (that shows how long ago that was). I outgrew that establishment and looked for somewhere bigger - I found some nice premises only about 1 mile away and opened there incorporating a 'pet shop' as a frontage and on I went snipping away and serving customers for the next 3 years. Ten years ago I had the opportunity of buying my present salon, purpose built and with the added advantage of living on site too! PERFECT, no travelling to work or leaving my dogs at home to get bored all day, so now everyone was happy 2 and 4 legged! and here I have stayed.

I wanted to write 'my story' to show you that you don't have to have been born into a family that has shown and bred dogs since the year dot or have degrees in canine behaviour, anatomy etc.. or pots of money to re-direct the course of your career. I didn't have any of these things, no money, not much knowledge and previously trained as a Personal Secretary - how far removed is that from 'Dog Grooming'? You just need true grit and determination to succeed.

 

ABOUT US I YOUR PERSONAL TRAINER I MY STORY I COURSES I PAST STUDENTS I LINKS I CONTACT US