Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Oceguera.
Katie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
From a young age, I realized my passion for animals, but it wasn’t until my wild years and various life experiences that grooming truly entered my life. Today, I can confidently say that without grooming, I wouldn’t be where I am now nor have the life I cherish.
I graduated from Texas All Breed Grooming School in 2008 and spent a year learning the ropes alongside my father before taking over the family business. Let me tell you, he was a tough teacher! As a second-generation groomer, I often struggled to fill my father’s shoes, especially when I faced constant challenges. He was flawless in his skills, while I spent years honing mine.
When my dad fell ill, I bought the mobile grooming van he had been using. The road wasn’t easy; I encountered skepticism and rejection from clients who doubted I could measure up to my father. Despite the van breaking down repeatedly and the doors being shut in my face, I persevered.
Fast forward to 2017, I met my husband, Kris, while I worked tirelessly behind clinics to earn extra income while running mobile during the week. His initial joke about helping me run the business has turned into a beautiful partnership over the last nine years. Together, we are now on our second trailer, with a lengthy waiting list and a full-time shop location alongside a fantastic team. We’ve been honored as the best in our county for eight consecutive years and have been the runner-up in the ninth.
Throughout this journey, we faced unforeseen challenges, including marriage, parenthood, and even an incident where We bravely saved a dog from drowning, which left me with severe injuries needing two surgeries. We’ve also navigated the complications brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Being a business owner and a mother is no small feat. I live with bipolar disorder and high-functioning anxiety, but with my husband and exceptional employees by my side, we’ve managed to thrive. Our business feels like a child to me; we’ve nurtured it through ups and downs, and each day we grow stronger
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Struggling to balance being a business owner and a mother to both a 15-year-old and a 3-year-old is incredibly tough! It often feels like I’m being pulled in two different directions, like a Stretch Armstrong, and it never seems to be enough.
We’ve faced our share of challenges, especially with our mobile units. Originally working with a second trailer for five years, we ended up moving into our third unit after investing thousands to ensure it could withstand the Texas heat with proper insulation and a cooling system.
Just this year, we took on the massive project of transferring our entire operation into a much bigger space—all within the same month! Keeping the right employees has been another struggle, but I’m relieved to say we finally found an amazing team.
Having a successful business is not just about the clients you serve, but also about having the right people by your side. Together, we’re making it work, even through the challenges!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At Pretty Paws, we believe every paw deserves to be pampered! 🐶✨ With our grooming and daycamp services, we have dedicated ourselves to providing top-notch care and love for your furry friends.
🌟 Mobile Grooming: Our mobile option has a waiting list, so be sure to sign up at prettypawsgranbury.com!
🏪 Shop Location: Our fully-staffed shop is open 6 days a week, offering grooming and daycamp services 4 days a week.
🏆 Award-Winning Care: We’ve proudly been recognized as the “Best of Our County” for 8 years in a row with a runner-up spot in our 9th year!
❤️ Community Love: Our commitment goes beyond the groomer’s chair. We partner with the shelter to provide grooming for pups in need and offer free groomings to adopters, ensuring a loving start for every dog we meet. We also do career day every year with the elementary schools which they love!
What sets us apart? It’s our immense passion for animals, our dedication to our customers, and our family-like approach to service. Each team member shares this love, ensuring a joyful work environment where everyone feels valued.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I am a music junkie so headphones and music and plus dogs just help
We are big on Facebook and Instagram tik tok we post every day.
We try to keep a active audience
My husband is more of a lecture scripture motivation type, and he loves listening to those while he works
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Prettypawsgranbury.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pretty_paws08?igsh=azM2ZW9udjVjdjV0&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17QqpqTq74/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@prettypaws29?_t=ZP-8zvVK2eGpGo&_r=1
Image Credits
https://www.facebook.com/share/1B8awbfRN5/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Benjamin McDonnell photography
