23/07/2025
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This morning, I found myself saying to my team:
“Maybe it’s time to close the doors for good.”
It’s not something any passionate small business owner wants to say. But after years of pouring our hearts into what we do, the weight becomes heavy.
Running a small business isn’t just about grooming dogs—it’s about managing expectations, navigating rising costs, meeting ever-changing demands, and constantly trying to prove your worth in a world that often gives more grace to big corporations than it does to local businesses.
We’ve invested in the best training, built one of the most experienced grooming teams in the region (with over 100 years of combined experience), and committed ourselves to providing top-quality care. Yet somehow, it never seems to be enough.
We hear it all:
• “The groom took too long.”
• “The price is too high.”
• “You didn’t make me feel special.”
• “If you don’t fix this, I’ll leave a bad review.”
And despite doing everything we can—with integrity and transparency—we’re met with threats, harsh words, and false accusations. Meanwhile, any income we make is taxed heavily, and the mental load we carry grows each day.
Let me be clear:
We don’t want to shave down matted dogs.
We don’t enjoy telling you we’re fully booked when you need an urgent appointment.
We don’t like explaining that your dog is struggling with the grooming process.
We love what we do—but we are human.
Unlike big chains, we don’t have corporate backing or large teams to absorb the hits. One bad review can hurt deeply. One misunderstanding can undo months of effort.
So if one day you turn up and our doors are closed, know that it wasn’t due to a lack of love for what we do—it was because, at some point, the weight of trying to do it all just became too much.
To those who support us with patience, kindness, and understanding—thank you. You are the reason we keep trying.
With sincerity,
A tired, passionate, and human small business owner