Finding my voice

Welcome and thank you for clicking on my blog! If you know me, I have lots to say when it comes to dogs! I'm completely new to blogging, as a matter of fact, until this morning, had not e

ven fully understood what one was. So, this should be an interesting journey.

I'll start by telling my story becuase if you have clicked here, your probably wondering what makes me someone you'd want to read about. I am a middle aged mother of two teens, (That was hard to read) been married 21 years to a boy from my neighborhood growing up who is a hard working coal miner in the coalfields of southeastern Kentucky. I worked most of my life in the legal field as a secretary. In 2014 my life changed forever when I took a desk job at a small grooming shop in Henderson, KY where we had moved chasing coal mining jobs. I took the minimum wage position 30 minutes away each day so I could be around dogs. Being me, I couldn't possibly not have my hands in every aspect of the business and soon I started bathing and grooming as an apprentice for two of the best girls I've ever known. They taught me the tricks of the trade.

Fast forward to 3 years later, I returned home to the mountains of Southeastern Kentucky and went back to my desk job in the legal field. My heart was still with the dogs...; I started grooming out of my makeshift groom shop in my garage for just friends and family to keep up my skills and practice and before I knew it, those people told more people and I outgrew my little home shop and got my first store front in a small little shop in town. I used every few dollars I made to buy more equipment one piece at a time, one $50.00 order at a time. Since then, I have outgrown 4 businessess in 4 years and I am bursting at the seams of my building now and looking to expand at my current location. My sales total in the last year was over $200,000.00, I have over 2,000 human clients, I currently employ 4 groomers (including myself), 2 bathers, a receptionist and 12 daycare staff members for a total of 18 people - 18 families that make money from my little shop! Wow - God is good.

During the Covid pandemic shutdown, when everyone else was closing their doo

rs, I decided it was time to open a business in the pet boarding world. My theory was: as soon as the travel bans are lifted, everyone would run after being cooped up with their families for 2 years! Second th

ought was, they'll need someone to keep their pandemic pets that were acquired! And I was right. "They" told me it was crazy, "they" said it wouldn't work and I'd be bankrupt. "They" were wrong. Grand Opening day was a full house on April fools day (yes, that was intentional). Since, opening my doors to my cage free pet hotel, it's never slowed down. The current struggle is only to meet the demand.

I think the root of the success of my business lies in our desires to give our pets the best life possible! We are all the same on that. If you are reading this, you are a good pet parent, who does their research on a facility before dumping your dog and running to the airport for vacations. I pride myself in introducing fear free pet grooming to this area and for the mountain people. My shop is professional, exceptionally clean and sanitary, and our pets and customers are all happy (at least to the best of my knowledge).

I have learned over the last few years, that the secret to growth is cliche' and it really is to love what you do and be uniquely you, the customers will follow passion every single time! Customers that have been with me from the beginning still check in and we talk about the journey of my business that they have witnessed and are a part of, and it tickles my heart to know that loyalty lies within my community. We share family stories and we celebrate new puppies and we cry together when their pup has passed. Because, that's who I am, and I have created this family atmosphere so that they are comforatble and they trust me with their best friends. Let's not forget my Jesus, who

has held me on many sleepless nights since the beginning and who still guides my every decision. Without him, I am nothing. I only want to use the talent that he has given me, to help animals and humans as long as I am able.

I am excited to start on this leg of my journey, I fee

l like after 5 years in the industry, I have learned some things. I hope this blog helps me to document my story so that years from now, I can look back on it and remember what it feels like today! Future blogs will include products that I love and want to share, pet tips and tricks and whatever else is on my mind so keep checking back with me :)

Thank you for reading this and thank you for supporting me to help make my dreams come true!

Tara Whitt Ritchie, Owner Waggin Tails Pet Resort, Whitesburg, KY