Luisa Bailey, of Woodstock, grooms her border collie Maya inside her pet grooming salon.
Luisa Bailey works on Maya’s nails.
Luisa Bailey, of Woodstock, grooms her border collie Maya inside her pet grooming salon.
Luisa Bailey works on Maya’s nails.
WOODSTOCK – A new home-based dog grooming salon is offering personalized services to meet the needs of man’s best friend.
Owner Luisa Bailey opened Bailey’s Bubbles in October after recognizing a growing demand for skilled, professional groomers in the Woodstock community.
“Everybody that I talked to, including myself, we had to take our dogs to Strasburg or Winchester for grooming,” Bailey explained, adding that some groomers are uncomfortable working with larger dogs.
Driving to Strasburg for her two furry best friends wasn’t easy. Bailey said that sometimes she had to wait two or three hours before picking them up again. She needed a better solution.
“I love dogs,” she said gleefully. “I’ve always been in the animal business and industry, too. I’m also an artist and woodworker, and I cut my husband and daughter’s hair. So I decided to combine everything I know and love into one industry.”
It wasn’t easy at first, Bailey admitted.
The stay-at-home mother of two, who holds degrees in biology and was a former horse trainer and volunteer at the Smithsonian National Zoo and Conversation Biology Institute in Front Royal, had never worked for herself.
“I knew there was a demand. I could see it,” she said. “I’m not sure if it’s because some dogs have more fur than others, or because some are larger. But a lot of people here needed someone they could rely on for their pets.”
Before opening, Bailey found a part-time job in Broadway where she worked alongside a well-known groomer. Bailey learned the best tips and techniques for grooming, including the proper use of shampoo and conditioner and how to brush varying types of fur, as not all dogs are the same.
Furthering her education, Bailey attended Pen Foster and received a pet grooming certificate – not necessary but something she said gave her the confidence to move forward.
“Each day is different,” said Bailey while brushing one of her two dogs. “I think my work speaks volumes because I’m such a perfectionist. And I think that really shows.”
Being able to combine all of her talents into one industry, Bailey said she thinks it sets her apart from the others.
Before moving to the United States from Brazil, Bailey was a competitive horse trainer for 12 years. She traveled the world, competing in varying championships where she won many prestigious awards.
Her competitive nature is what drives her, she said.
Bailey’s Bubbles is located in Bailey’s home. Converting part of her garage to a grooming salon, Bailey has the flexibility to build a schedule that suits her needs as well as her clients.
Some days her salon is full of happy napping dogs as they wait for their owners to pick them up. Other times, it’s just Bailey and her current client’s dog. Bailey said it depends on the demeanor of each animal.
“I wanted to start small,” she said. “I still work in Broadway in the mornings and here in the afternoons. I plan to continue to do both until I’m overbooked here.”
That hasn’t taken Bailey long. Her schedule is already booked three to four weeks out.
“I really like Rebecca,” Bailey said about her Broadway employer. “She teaches me a lot and she still teaches me something new almost daily. Being in business for 12 years, I know I have a lot to learn. Plus, she motivates me to be better. She knows at some point I will end up leaving her. But she doesn’t see me as a competitor.”
In a way, Bailey said each day she learns something new.
Her biggest challenge was learning the skills to open her business – not only the education needed but also how to market and advertise to reach an audience that will trust her to care of their pets.
“It’s been a snowball effect,” she said laughing. “The more the word gets out there and the more it spreads, the busier I get. Somedays I receive three or four calls a day.”
Not wanting to limit herself, she takes each day as it comes. Some days she grooms multiple dogs, other days there’s just one. It’s how much she can handle. The larger the dog, the more time she needs, and vice versa for smaller pets.
“I want to be the best of the best,” she said. “It’s not just about how the pet looks. That’s something that my other work taught me. It’s not just them just looking pretty. But it’s also about functionality. Say if a farm dog visits me, we need to trim their pads and keep those nails shorter. It’s grooming toward that dog’s lifestyle.”
Bailey’s Bubbles offers a little bit of everything, from baths to hair and nail cuts. She also offers teeth, ear and anal gland cleaning. Bailey suggests dogs visit the groomer every four to six weeks, or as needed.
“I discovered if I put my mind into it, I would be successful,” Bailey said, adding that she knew she wanted to be more than a stay-at-home mom. “I feel like I’m trying to differentiate my business from other businesses out there. I’m not just trying to provide a service, I’m providing a stress-free environment for dogs to be safe in. And they’re happier.”
Online: facebook.com/people/Baileys-Bubbles-LLC/61566084037937
— Contact Ashley Miller at amiller@nvdaily.com
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