In February 2020, I took the first step toward my dream by opening Central Bark as a table renter in two different salons in our village. Little did I know, this was the beginning of an incredible journey. Not long after, one of the salon owners approached me with the opportunity to take over the lease and purchase the business. I had always dreamed of owning my own high-street salon, so I seized the chance, invested all my savings, and officially opened my own salon in March 2021. I offer a wide range of services, including mud baths, de-shedding, Emmi-Pet teeth cleaning, puppy sessions, and my speciality—handstripping. If I could handstrip all day, every day, I would be in my element! Some of my clients travel from outside the area for this specialised service.
My journey into the world of dog grooming began when I was just 13 years old – I am now approaching 30! My mother opened her own home salon, and I quickly became involved with bathing and drying dogs. By the time I was 15, I was a fully-fledged groomer. I also competed in handstripping classes at grooming shows, winning the Best Handler 2015 achievement award after a restraint-free grooming session at the English Groomers Group Challenge.
Since my last feature in Total Grooming, a lot has changed. I made the bold decision to relocate the salon to a larger and better space within the village. This move came after a nearly year-long battle with my previous landlord, who had breached the lease. After months of relentless effort and a tight turnaround to get the new salon ready, all the hard work paid off. In September 2024, I proudly opened the doors to my dream salon.
The new salon boasts more space, new equipment—including my hydrobath, which I honestly could not live without now—and features a separate bathing and drying room. Our reception and waiting area has been expanded and now includes a retail space filled with natural dog treats. Our new location offers convenient parking and, unlike our previous space that was flooded with direct sunlight, we no longer need to close during the hottest parts of the year. Thanks to the new premises, business is booming, and I’m busier than ever! I’m now looking to hire an apprentice to help me manage the growing demand.
I’m incredibly grateful to the loyal clients who have supported me since day one. Without their trust, my dream would not have been possible. The majority of my clients adhere to a regular grooming cycle, coming in every 4-8 weeks, with a few opting for 3 to 4-week bath-tidy and full grooming rotations. In fact, 95% of my clients block-book for the entire year—the last two working weeks for December 2025 were fully booked by January!
Since the last time I was featured, I returned to the competition circuit in April 2024 after a nine-year break and entered the South East Grooming Show with Rhubarb, a Border Terrier in the “Open Handstrip Terrier” category—my first time competing in the open group. I had an amazing experience, finishing in 3rd place and winning the “Best Technique” award, one of four special awards presented that morning. This reignited my passion for grooming competitions, and I look forward to entering more shows in the future.
Additionally, I was honoured to be nominated for Wiltshire’s Best Pet Grooming Business 2023 at the England Business Awards. The
competition was fierce and was the largest category of the evening, and to my astonishment, I won! I was overwhelmed with gratitude for every single client who voted and supported me, as this recognition wouldn’t have been possible without them.
My mission has always been to provide a healthy, positive grooming experience in a professional, stress-free environment. I treat every dog as if they were my own, with the same love and respect. The bond I develop with the dogs I groom is what truly drives me. No task is too big or small, and I’m especially passionate about working with dogs who have behavioural challenges. There’s nothing more rewarding than gaining the trust of a dog that was once terrified of grooming. I always ensure I never push a dog beyond their limits, focusing on building trust through time, patience, and plenty of high-reward treats. The end result is a happy, well-groomed pet, and knowing I’ve helped them get there is the most fulfilling part of my job. Central Bark has truly become my dream come true, and I’m excited for the future.
My top advice to all groomers is to prioritise your well-being and mental health by maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Without it, you’ll quickly feel overworked and risk burnout. Dog grooming is physically demanding, so listen to your body, invest in high-quality equipment, and make sure to take breaks. Fuel your body with proper meals rather than relying on snacks and energy drinks—your body will thank you in the long run.
It’s also crucial to establish solid policies, such as clear cancellation and no-show guidelines, and stick to them. Good customer service is key—owners want to feel confident and comfortable leaving their dogs with you. However, don’t allow customers to be rude or take advantage of you. Remember, it’s your business, and you have the right to enforce your rules.
Most importantly, make sure you are charging what you are worth. Do you fully understand your business’s daily or hourly costs? Don’t undercut yourself—don’t focus on what others are charging, as each groomer has different overheads and daily targets to meet. Know your numbers and stick to them. Dog grooming is a skilled, demanding job, and you deserve to be compensated for your hard work. If you’re unsure of your pricing or business costs, speak to an accountant or business coach. There’s plenty of support out there. I highly recommend Bill Betts’ Pet Passion to Profit Business Support group—his podcasts are especially insightful! Looking back, I wish I had discovered Bill and his program at the very start of my Central Bark journey. While I knew how to groom, I didn’t fully understand how to run a business to its fullest potential. Now, I have more confidence in myself and my business, and my business is thriving.
And for those of you who may have heard of Chet the Cockapoo and his viral hate mail on TikTok and Facebook—yes, I’m the dreaded dog groomer! If you haven’t heard of him yet, be sure to check out our Facebook page for a good laugh!
