A pair of best friends are proving it is never too late to start again after opening their own dog grooming salon in County Durham at the age of 58.
Marie Dobson and Nicole McIntyre have launched Woof n Wash Dog Grooming, Education and Training Centre at Brockwell Court on Low Willington Industrial Estate.
The pair met through their careers in dog grooming and education before becoming friends and deciding to take the plunge and go into business together.
And rather than slowing down as they approach their 60s, Marie and Nicole are embracing the chance to start something new.
Woof N Wash opens in Willington pictured Marie Dobson one of the owners Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT
Marie said: “We’re both 58, when we should be getting towards retirement, and we’re starting again.”
For Marie, the new venture follows a complete career change after previously working in adult social care in Middlesbrough.
She said: “I came from adult social care in Middlesbrough and decided I needed a change, so I went and studied dog grooming at Houghall College in Durham.
“I qualified and opened my own little business, which I’ve still got at home. I then got my teaching qualification and applied for a job teaching dog grooming at Houghall College.”
It was there that Marie met Nicole, who was her tutor, and the pair began talking about the possibility of one day opening their own training centre.
Woof N Wash opens in Willington Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT
Marie added: “Nicole was my tutor and me and Nicole got talking, and we decided that we’d like to open our own training school as well as doing dog grooming. We found a unit and here we are.”
The idea quickly took off, and within around six months their new venture had become a reality.
Marie said: “I was quite happy just plodding along doing my own thing at home, and then Nicole was saying she’d love to open her own training academy.
“We just got talking about it and about the demand for dog groomers and dog grooming training. We’ve been speaking about it on and off, and it’s really come together in about five or six months.”
Woof N Wash opens in Willington Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT
Marie has around six years of dog grooming experience, while Nicole has more than 20 years in the industry.
She said: “Nicole has more than 20 years’ experience and I’ve got about six years, so basically I’m still the newbie.”
The pair have set out to create an upmarket feel at Woof n Wash, while also using the premises as an approved iPET Network Dog Grooming Training Centre.
Marie said: “We wanted to open more of an upmarket dog groomer, so when you walk through our door it looks more like a beautiful hair salon than a dog groomers.
“We’ve already done a couple of student open days, and some students have seen us advertising, become interested and signed up.”
Woof N Wash opens in Willington Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT
The centre offers grooming services including full grooms, bathing, nail clipping and hand-stripping, alongside training, first-aid courses and plans for seminars and demonstrations.
Woof n Wash celebrated its grand opening on Sunday, October 18, with the event also raising money for local charities.
Woof N Wash opens in Willington pictured owners Marie Dobson and Nicole McIntyre Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT
Woof N Wash opens in Willington Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT
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Looking ahead, Marie hopes the pair can build a reputation for producing knowledgeable and well-trained groomers.
She said: “Our hopes for the future are obviously to keep the dog grooming side of it going, but potentially we’d love to get a good name for ourselves by sending students out there fully qualified, with full knowledge and understanding.
“We want them to have knowledge not only of dog breeds and coat types, but the anatomy of dogs and canine behaviour as well, and just to have our name behind them.”