Today we’d like to introduce you to Bethany Stoehr.
Bethany, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I have always had a passion for animals.
About three years ago, I decided to take a grooming course. I completed the course in about six months and at the end of the course, I had an internship at a grooming shop called Fancy Schmancy in Jamaica Plain, Boston, MA. They hired me after I finished my internship and I worked there for about a year and a half. The commute was starting to be too much for me (an hour and a half with traffic one way) and I felt like I had gained a lot of experience in that year and a half.
I had heard about mobile grooming and realized there weren’t many mobile groomers where I live in Bridgewater, MA. After doing extensive research I realized it was definitely something I wanted to do. I found a trailer that was already set up for mobile grooming and I started my business! I had no idea what I was doing at first, having never run a business before, but here I am, a little over one year later and I already have a waiting list! My business got to where it is today all through word of mouth and I am so happy that I started Waggin Wheels’ Mobile Pet Grooming!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Just like starting any new business, there were definitely, and still are challenges!
Business started out very slow for me. I actually contemplated getting a second job at the beginning but within about five months, I was almost working full time in Waggin Wheels!
I learned a lot when I was working out the bugs of the business. Working in a grooming shop with other groomers, there was always spare tools and equipment around, and I learned how different working alone is very quickly! There have been many times that my equipment and tools have failed me, leaving me stuck in the middle of a groom. Needless to say, I now have at least two of everything I can have spares of!
The snow and cold winter weather was another obstacle for me. I had to make sure I had a heater on my water tank at all times so the water did not freeze! That was not a fun lesson at all. Mobile grooming in the warm months versus the cold months is a completely different story! I feel much more prepared this year going into winter! Bring on the snow!
I have pretty much found my groove now. I know there are more challenges coming but I have confidence knowing that I got through all the others along the way!
Waggin’ Wheels Mobile Pet Grooming – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I am the business owner of Waggin’ Wheels Mobile Pet Grooming. I groom mostly dogs and I have some cats that I groom also. I pride myself in providing a calm, clean environment for the animals I groom. I have been told by many of my customers that they can see my passion for their pets which makes me feel great! I have one dog that always has seizures at the groomers, but with me, she has never had a seizure because she feels comfortable and she trusts me. After I groomed her for the first time, I really felt like this is where I am meant to be. I believe that the environment of one on one is very important for the grooming process because I want it to be a positive, pleasant experience for them with no other distractions! I think what sets me apart from other groomers is that I treat each dog like he/she is my own and I take my time throughout the grooming process. I enjoy making a connection with each one of them every day. Their well being and comfort is my number one priority!
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I define success as feeling good about what I am doing! When a dog leaves my trailer feeling better and happier than when they came in, that to me, is a complete success!
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