Today we’d like to introduce you to Katherine Mcmurray.
Katherine, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Well I grew up on a farm and that’s where my love for animals began.
I didn’t start out grooming in my early years of employment nor was it even a thought that I’d ever become a groomer, if we are being honest the jobs I had never truly made me happy I was content but never fulfilled.
I was 20 years old when a lay off hit the company I was working for and I had to begin a new job search. That job search leads me to a little grooming shop in Gilmer, TX. There I started as a kennel caretaker. I cleaned the kennels multiple times a day, filled and cleaned water bowls, took dogs out for exercise, etc.
Then I moved up to a bather where I was taught proper cleaning and blow out of a dog. As time went on the owner of the shop and groomer began showing me pet safety, how to clip nails, and many other steps in grooming. But I lacked confidence in myself and I just was ok with being a bather/kennel caretaker. My boss finally one day said: “I’ve watched you, I’ve guided you and I can use the help, I have all the confidence that you can be a great groomer why don’t you give it a chance “. Of course I was thinking I’ll never be as good as her but low and behold thanks to her faith in me from that day forward I learned and I furthered my knowledge and skills. I started to feel happy in a job setting. I liked this job for the first time I was happy with a career choice.
Years later, I decided to journey out on my own to another town. It was like a little bird leaving the nest kind of feeling. I worked for a while in other shops. It was then I started to have that feeling again of unhappiness and that there was more I could do.
So after much research on how to start up a business, I made the decision to go out and be my own boss.
That’s when Furlicious began. I started out as house call Grooming, setting up in an area of the client’s home or garage, bringing my equipment/tools.
I did this for two years saving up to purchase a grooming trailer and become a full mobile.
Now I have accomplished what used to seem to me as the impossible. My dream of being my own boss and mobile finally came true and I can say my heart is full and I enjoy every moment of my career.
I still reflect on all the wonderful memories I had at that small town grooming shop in Gilmer, Texas. Thanks to Mrs. Mariannas kennels, I was allowed to learn and fulfill a life long career that I am happy in for that I am forever grateful to her.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Nothing is ever a smooth road mine had many obstacles that I overcame. From learning how to start a legal business to the frustration of taxes and managing a family at the same time. Startups are a difficult challenge in any business; there is many stresses and moments of doubt and just wanting to give up. But I have prevailed through all my life obstacles and as the old saying goes “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger “.
Furlicious Mobile Grooming – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My company is a Mobile Spa for dogs. My day consists of showing up to the client’s home grooming the dog in my grooming trailer, doing everything from hair cuts, hair color, to medicated baths for the pets with skin issues and much more. Just like humans love a good spa day, I think dogs deserve the same relaxing time and care.
I’d say what sets me apart is I strive to be this relaxing mobile spa for pets where they can be pampered.
I’m known for having the understanding and patience to dive in to access what the pet likes and dislikes to make their grooming the most relaxing experience possible.
Because above all I want happy pets. I’m able to work with many different dogs who were denied grooming at other places due to temperament or health issues. Many times when clients have called me, they have said: “I was told my dog is naughty, or I was told to come to pick up my dog because he won’t allow grooming”.
Then when I take the dog in for grooming, we find out that the pet has certain needs, one on one only or that the pet needed to build a bond with a groomer to be comfortable with grooming process all together.
What I’m most proud of as a company is that I go above and beyond to help my clients and pets. What sets me apart is my determination to have happy dogs and happy clients seeing quality as the goal over quantity.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Seeing my personal growth as well as my business.
Contact Info:
- Facebook: FurliciousMobileGrooming/Facebook.com
- Phone: (903)-204-0031
- Email: furlicious63@yahoo.com
Suggest a story: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
