Louise made a significant career change. After years in a well-paid corporate role, she reached a point where she knew she didn’t want to spend her life behind a desk.
“I was determined never to do another desk job again.”
Working with animals had always appealed to her. Years earlier she’d been a veterinary nurse, so she already understood handling and canine behaviour. When she began looking into grooming, it felt like a way to return to that hands-on work – but on her own terms.
The decision wasn’t impulsive. She attended a taster day first, wanting to see the reality of it.
“Working with animals isn’t always fluffy and easy.”
Training later involved a lot of travel, especially after she moved to the Isle of Wight, but she stayed committed. Looking back, that dedication is something she’s proud of.
“I don’t usually say this, but I’m proud of myself for sticking with it.”
Louise describes herself as naturally anxious, even if it doesn’t always show. The early days stretched her. Learning to manage nerves before certain grooms and trust her judgement was part of the process.
“I learned just as much about myself as I did about grooming.”
Handling became a turning point. Understanding how to slow down with a stressed dog, how to position safely, and how to deal with matting properly changed her confidence completely.
One assessment groom stands out in her memory – a wriggly little dog that tested her patience.
“I remember slowing everything down and he responded. It wasn’t about perfection. It was about connection.”
That moment stayed with her.
Now she works from home in a dedicated grooming room she set up herself. She chooses to plan her days carefully rather than overloading them, building a business that fits around her life rather than consuming it.
“Sometimes I have to pinch myself. I still can’t believe I’m actually doing this.”
For Louise, the biggest shift hasn’t just been career – it’s confidence. She explains things clearly to clients, sets expectations, and trusts her decisions.
“Giving up my corporate job was the best decision I’ve ever made.”
She now wakes up thinking about the dogs she has booked in – and that, she says, still makes her smile.
