04/01/2022
šØIMPORTANT CUSTOMER ANNOUNCEMENTšØ
It is with mixed emotions that I write to inform all of my customers that as a family we have decided to put Pampered Pooch up for sale and I will no longer be able to offer my services as a dog groomer. I will honour all existing appointments up until 18th February (to ensure customers have enough time to find a replacement groomer) when I will close the business.
I appreciate this will come as a shock and is an inconvenience but I ask if you could take the time to read my post, written not for self pity but to give an insight into my predicament, to help explain my decision and for you to accept my choice.
I opened the salon just over two years ago with no business experience, very little confidence and a hope that I could establish a small business that could provide an income with job satisfaction. From an initial slow start, wondering if I could find enough custom, things quickly progressed into having too much work which has ultimately become my downfall. It is my nature to try my best, to do everything to the best if my ability. I am far from being an amazing groomer but I can honestly say I put 100% effort into each and every groom, try to offer the best service I can provide and to accommodate each and every customer. Unfortunately this has led to work consuming my life and I find it very difficult to āswitch offā when at home (Iām home but not at home) whether that is replying to messages, making appointments, altering appointments or worrying how I can fit that customer in when there literally isnāt any space to fit them in! But I also donāt want to let anybody down!
I have tried to condense my hours and vowed not to slip back into my old ways of working too many hours, however I soon creep back into my old habits which has made me realise it has to be all or nothing with me. I canāt seem to find that right balance and stick with it. I cannot halve my customers ( who would I reject and with what explanation?). I am a worrier. Rightly or wrongly I care about what people think of me and my decisions and I have a fear of failure which is why I need to walk away while I have a thriving business and to take the positives away from that.
I have had so many highs over the last few years, met people who I consider friends rather than just customers. The majority of dogs that I groom, I have groomed since pups which is upsetting. Thereās the ones which have taking time to earn their trust and now gained I feel I have a duty of care, a sense of responsibility to look after them.
I must stress this decision has not been made over night. It has been a recurring thought for a long time. I would like to think however, I have given it my all but that this career is not my ācallingā so to speak but a part of my life where I can look back and be proud of. Iām at an age where a decision needed to be made so that I can put all of my energy into creating a new chapter in my life.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of my customers for their loyalty and support over these last few years.
Love Amy ###
