'Dogalyst' becomes business catalyst

Image: Microsoft clipart.


CONGRATULATIONS are in order for a small business that has just completed its first year in providing a special service in Redland City. Today, we say "happy anniversary" to Debra's Mobile Dog Grooming, which is a one-woman enterprise for Alexandra Hills mother-of-three Debra Brehmer. Business advisers counsel that the first year in any business can be tough but Debra says she has been having a ball pampering the city's canine population. "I love working with animals," she says. Debra grew up on a Beenleigh farm with "cats, dogs, horses, chooks, ducks and cattle".

DEBRA has had a range of jobs including window tinting, rustproofing and servicing on-site commercial waste separators. However, a fluffy Maltese terrier was the catalyst – or, in this case, the "dogalyst" – that brought her mobile dog grooming service into reality. The business plan started to come together as Debra groomed her own pooch, Tammy, now about five years old.Debra says she started a dog grooming service on weekends at her home, then late last winter she launched the mobile service, with all the gear for the job.

HER eye-catching pink and blue ad often features in the Classifieds' Pets & Pet Supplies column, listing all the essential services – Hydro Bath, clipping and coat stripping – with delicate attention to all the sensitive areas, like the nails, ears and certain other places of which dogs are highly protective. Debra says she has had some difficult assigments but if a dog gets snarly she just chats to it and calms it down.I f that doesn't work, there's always the muzzle. She had found some nervous dogs behave better if their owner takes a dog-less stroll ands leaves her to communicate directly with their pet, one on one.

SHE works according to the principle that "every dog is different". The Classified notice is the firm's only promotion, apart from word of mouth – and, of course, "bark of jaws". Debra is pleased with the response to such advertising in her local paper and says setting up her own business was "probably the best thing I have ever done". The Classifieds in The Redland Times and Bayside Bulletin are part of a proud tradition of local papers sharing in the hopes and dreams of people who are turning their ideas into business success. Debra supplied her artwork and picked the colours for her highly successful Classified advertisement. It is an inspiring fact that this business started "from scratch".

Thanks for joining me to meet the people in the marvellous community of classified advertising. This column has appeared in The Redland Times.