Today we’d like to introduce you to Evelyn Torres.
Evelyn, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’ve always been the type of person to push forward and find the positive in a negative situation. I was working at a vet clinic in 2011 as a groomer assistant while studying to become a certified groomer. I had already shown signs of becoming a professional groomer while being a student. Shortly after I graduated and received my certificate I was placed in a position where I had become the only groomer in this veterinary clinic. I was nervous to say the least, but I soon disregarded that feeling and said to myself “okay you can do this and it’s going to get done and you will be fine.” I pushed through and built the grooming department enough for two groomers to be there fulltime within a one-year time frame. A few years passed and I had an itch to open my own grooming salon one day but wasn’t sure as to when or how. One day, there was a disagreement between one of the veterinarians and myself in regards to a client and the pet. That was the push I needed to look into opening my own shop and becoming an entrepreneur. The veterinarian and I worked out our disagreement and continued to work together until the year 2017. I have now owned my business since 2015 and currently partnered with Animal Behavioral College where their students receive their externship with me as their mentor. I have also recently accepted a position at Parkway Animal Hospital in Grand Prairie not only as their Tuesday groomer, but also as a business associate for their grooming department. Aside from all of this, Tinkerbelle (my maltipoo) and I participate in elementary schools Career Days. We both enjoy seeing all the smiles from the children.
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?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. Some of the issues I experienced were having to get a business set up with the city, having the know-how on the business side of grooming, and being a single mom it’s definitely a challenge having to coordinate my work schedule and my mom schedule. I wear many hats, but that’s what makes me stronger and more motivated to keep pushing forward. I have to set an example not only to my children, but for any person who needs the motivation and role model. I could not have been able to get through all my struggles that I have been faced with if it were not for my faith in God.
Pawlished Pooch – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My business is a small personal grooming shop. I prefer it that way because I love the interaction with my clients and getting to know each of them and know them and their pets by name. My company is not only about pet grooming, but also about the pet parent and I like to think that is what sets my company apart from the rest. It’s about the love and attention the pets receive as well as the pet parents. I have been a “therapist”, a lending ear to some of my clients and I don’t mind it one bit. I love that they feel so close and comfortable with me to share some of their personal life with me. I do practice confidentiality and integrity which is something hard to find nowadays.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Growing up:
I was an animal lover! I would always bring home some stray from somewhere. MY family often told me that I should become a veterinarian because I was always with the animals. I loved to be outdoors climbing trees or playing some sport. I was involved in playing soccer and playing the flute. So, I guess you could say for me it was school, sports, animals and music. I also would love to visit my aunt and uncle’s ranch in Cleburne and couldn’t wait to go horseback riding on one of my favorite horses that I would ride named Chaley. She had a wild spirit but for some reason she and I just clicked. I now have my own pets. A Maltipoo(Tinkerbelle), a Pomeranian (Simba) and a stray kitten, who I adopted, named Sushi.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2219 W Clarendon Dr
Dallas, Texas 75208 - Website: www.ThePawlishedPooch.com
- Phone: 469-779-6369
- Email: ThePawlishedPooch@Gmail.com
- Facebook: www.Facebook.com/ThePawlishedPooch
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