06/28/2022
TRUE INFORMATION TO SHARE :
Being a small business owner is challenging. I know, of the 43 yrs as a dog groomer, 36 of those I have been the owner of my salon. I have been through some crazy crazy seasons. The last few years have served up some of my biggest challenges. Of course Covid was one of those unexpected situations, including the departure of a couple of longtime employees. Now we are in a new chapter. I would like to share this as this is a tight town and rumors spread quickly so here are the facts from the source-me! Please feel free to share this as not all clients are following this page.
1. At the first of the year I was diagnosed with Angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma. An extremely aggressive, very rare cancer. After months of intense medical attention I am currently in remission. This is not to be confused with cured. I may have to do some follow up therapies.
2. Gerry, who has worked for me about 25yrs and with me for about 35 yrs was diagnosed during my 6 month hiatus with colon cancer. She went through successful surgery mid June and is, per doctors orders, recovering nicely for several weeks before she can return to work.
3. Mikhala, my daughter, who is becoming my true saving grace, has been steadfast throughout these changes. She is holding down tasks that she never did before because she is an employee. Being I could not, she has added payroll, bill paying, placing orders, dealing with clients, grooming extra dogs and sometimes her days off while processing that her formerly healthy Mom was facing cancer. And now her forever coworker, Gerry is going through her own battle.
4. Lindsey is our bather, nail cutting, ear cleaning, blow drying, brushing, amazingly gentle person that preps literally 20-30 dogs per day!!!!!!!!!!! She is the heartbeat of the salon! She has been with us for nearly 20 yrs!
5. Pam our receptionist is coming up on 2 yrs and handles our schedules and client affairs. She has gotten to know and love the dogs and their people. With all of our latest staff challenges she has had to make daily adjustments and difficult decisions and manage our flow with sometimes unknown variables. She is patient and kind.
So here’s what is happening:::::::
We are booked until December 31 for each person. While I was out for 6 months, the remaining staff split my 10-12 daily appointments and worked overtime to try to get everyone done.
Then Gerry is out adding her 10-12 and half of my appointments to Mikhala’s 13-15 haircuts daily.
The average one person can do is 8-12 per day!!!!
I have been able to come in a little bit to groom a few small, easy dogs. My immunity is suppressed and the smallest scratch, cold, covid or bite can land me in critical care. I am selecting per my ability.
Gerry will not be back until late July-early August.
Until then we are cancelling some appointments (about 13 a day) as most everyone is booked regularly until the end of the year. We will just have you wait until that next scheduled appointment but have a list (in the order of cancellation) to work you back in before that next appointment if possible. There is no way we can guarantee an opening.
We honestly aren’t asking for sympathy but rather your patience as we are working our way back up to fuller speed.
Please don’t spread rumors that we treated you poorly or that we don’t care because we are emotionally bent by all of this as well. Please understand that the phrase “but I am a loyal, longtime, friend, frequent, huge tipping client….” Is ALL of our clients. We know you are and it makes us sad as well right now but physically, mentally and emotionally we can only do so much. Suggestions to be open longer, hire more people, or just a quick trim have already been considered and implemented when possible.
Thank you for reading
Thank you for understanding
Thank you for sharing positive news not your disappointment or frustration
Thank you for trusting us
It’s just a season….it too shall pass
