The Woofy Wash Company - Knockbreda Co.Antrim

Written by goforitni Thursday, 20 October 2011

It's a dog's life

As any dog-lover will tell you, they always want their pets to look their best. Babs Mairs is no exception – only she has turned her passion for pampering pets into a full-time business with support of Invest Northern Ireland's Go for it programme.

"I've always worked really hard for other people, so I thought, why not do it myself," said Babs, the proud new owner of The Woofy Wash Company in Knockbreda, where she worked for several years. "I had clients who wanted me to continue grooming their dogs, so that got me started."

Babs said she was always keen on the idea of running her own business and was about to leave her job to do just that when the opportunity to take over the company she worked for arose. "It was an easy decision to make because I love dogs and I have years of experience in professional grooming."

"The business has built up a strong, loyal clientele over the years and I'm keen to build on that, ensuring that those customers keep coming back as new ones come through the door. I'm passionate about dogs and my customers can see that – it's why I've been doing this successfully for so long."

Although a professional dog groomer by trade, Babs said she still needed help to ensure her business got off on a strong footing.

"I signed up for the Go for it programme, which gave me the confidence to embrace the whole idea of owning and running a business. It provided me with a reality check I think I needed, but also with copious amounts of essential advice on everything from financial and business planning to market research.

"I would recommend to anyone who is thinking about starting their own business – it's a straightforward course, it's to the point, and it's free. You've got nothing to lose."

Babs said she is already enjoying the freedom of being her own boss but accepts there is much work to be done. "Getting my own business off the ground has been challenging but it's been such a positive experience so far. Now I'm focused on the future, I plan to grow the business further."

So what advice would Babs give to other would-be entrepreneurs?

"Get practical experience by working for someone else first," she said. "It's worked for me."

The Go for it Programme is provided by Invest Northern Ireland and is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund. For details, log on to: www.goforitni.com.