Looking to create a great pet grooming experience for both dogs and their owners, Greta Wilson and Harmony Brown created Suds & Snouts LLC in Farmington earlier this year, pooling nearly a decade of experience in the industry.
Suds & Snouts operated out of Greta’s home until early July, when the pair moved into their own building. The company offers a full range of grooming services, from bath-and-brush services and full haircuts to nail and ear care, de-shedding and specialty trims. Together, the two groom about 40 dogs weekly.
“We had a meeting of the minds and decided to do it on our own,” Greta said of her partnership with Harmony. The two had worked together for about six months at another area grooming business before starting their own company.
Greta, who is originally from Minnesota and came to Farmington to marry her fiancé, attended grooming school in the Midwest and had previously created a business there. During high school, Harmony worked for a veterinarian. After high school, she began bathing dogs for a groomer, then apprenticed with the business owner and eventually began building her own clientele.
The partners set their business apart from the local competition by creating a comfortable, calm environment for the dogs, which also helps put owners at ease. Dogs are typically at Suds & Snouts for no more than two hours, unlike at some
Greta Wilson
grooming businesses where dogs may stay all day. Some grooming businesses also place dogs in kennels, whereas Greta and Harmony keep the dogs in the grooming room while preventing individual dogs from interacting to help minimize stress.
Their marketing includes an active social media presence and word-of-mouth referrals, which have helped them continue growing the business and attracting loyal customers. The U.S. pet grooming market is projected to grow from $3 billion this year to more than $4 billion by 2032, according to market research firm Arizton Advisory & Intelligence.
Harmony Brown
“If we tell one client, or one person and they become a client, usually their whole family eventually becomes our client,” Harmony said. “And word-of-mouth as well has really been like a blessing to us.”
Greta said that when it was time to take the leap and form their own business, expand their inventory and equipment, and move into a storefront, she found The Loan Fund during an online search.
“We did try our bank in town, but they wouldn’t do a startup loan,” Greta said.
“The loan officer was extremely helpful and very communicative. They made the process extremely easy for us,” Harmony said.
The two entrepreneurs have this advice for other startups:
“Definitely, like, believe in yourself and stay true to who you are, and you’ll get where you want to get,” Greta said.
“Consistency is key,” Harmony said.
“As long as you put in the work, it’ll work out for you,” Greta said.