Hana Rajabally talks to entrepreneurial 20-year-old who has opened a Mill Hill dog grooming salon

Amy Newman working at her Mill Hill dog grooming salon — Amy Newman with a Bark & Bubbles customer

An entrepreneurial 20-year-old has opened a new dog grooming salon in Mill Hill.

Amy Newman set up the salon, called ‘Bark & Bubbles,’ at the end of February this year. The salon is right above Waggingtons, a dog daycare centre which caters to 13 dogs each day.

Amy first got into dog grooming three and half years ago, having always been passionate about dogs. Amy said: “Dogs have always been my favourite animal, and I’ve always wanted to look after them. I used to do dog sitting when I was younger.”

She explained that one of her friends was purchasing a dog-grooming van in Bournemouth and she went to her for some experience. Amy later applied for a job at a dog grooming salon and was soon taken on.

She said: “I was picking things up really quickly and soon they offered me a contract.”

However, while working for the salon, Amy became unhappy with how her boss was treating her, and felt that her skills were worth a lot more than they were being rewarded.

Amy’s mother suggested that she set up her own business, and the 20 year old was soon looking at places to rent on Facebook. She quickly found a place above Waggingtons in Mill Hill, with a separate bathroom and grooming room. Within a few months, Bark & Bubbles was launched.

Having been operational for less than four full months, the salon has received great feedback. Amy said: “Everyone’s been really happy. I’ve had clients tell me they’ve switched dog groomers to stick with me.”

“I’m having a lot of recommendations. Four new clients have just messaged me today, so it’s really picking up,” she told Barnet Post last Friday.

Starting a new business during a cost of living crisis is not easy, but Amy said she makes sure not to charge extortionate prices so that people can look after their dogs and bring them to a grooming salon without having to put a huge dent in their pocket.

Nonetheless, Amy admitted that managing a business at only 20 years old does come with its challenges, remarking that: “Although It’s quite nice being your own boss, it is also quite a lot of admin!”

She told Barnet Post that she is very thankful for the support her parents have given her through the process of setting up her own business.

She said: “I don’t think I would’ve been able to do it without my parents. My dad is an accountant and has really been helping me break even, and I know exactly how many clients I need each month, which has been super helpful.”

Amy said that although starting your own business can be overwhelming at times, she urges anyone who is interested in launching their own business to take the plunge.

Amy said: “I just think, go for it. It’s so worth it, honestly. Don’t sit and wait for the right time, just do it.”

“Starting this business when I’m so young, I’ve got so much to come in the years ahead of me, in expanding the business.”

If you’d like to visit the salon, please call07436502100 to make a booking.

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