Friends since second grade, Linda Love and Doreen Murphy, decided to take their passion for pets into a full time business venture with the launch of Groomeria a semi-mobile pet grooming business.
The business, housed in an RV, is moved every other week. The pair takes turns in their hometowns, alternating weeks. Murphy lives in Commack, by Kings Park Road and Love in Medford.
“We spend one week here in Commack and then the next we head to Medford,” said Murphy. The duo is looking into becoming fully mobile in the future.
Both are recent retirees, Murphy was a teacher in the Commack school district and Love a nurse, but decided to go into business almost immediately after. They opened in July and have a website and Facebook page.
They became certified in their field while their husbands worked on converting the RV into a grooming studio, equipped with a large tub, heat lamps, a grooming table and organic shampoos and conditioners. Two groomers per pet is the standard.
“We really pamper the dogs,” said Murphy, who added they groom cats too. “We don’t put them under the large blowers that some places use to dry dogs. We keep them under the heat lamp and dry them that way. We finish with a blow dryer so the dogs never feel frightened like they may with those large dryers.”
Murphy said her biggest challenge in opening the new business was earning the trust of owners bringing their pets by for the first time.
“Getting a person to have faith in you, and earning that. It is great when you get a repeat customer because you know you passed their test.”
Murphy said it is also a badge of honor when a dog that had a bad experience at a groomer and turn it into an enjoyable experience for the dog and the owner.
Murphy said the two don’t expect to get rich off the business, but that they enjoy what they do and make a little profit.
“We may not end up rich, but it’s not about the money. We already had a job, now it’s about having a good time.”
