After losing her job at Honda, you could forgive Karen Webb for being barking mad but instead her redundancy by the Japanese car giants has given her career a new leash of life.
Lifelong dog lover, Karen, had always dreamed of running her own dog grooming salon and her redundancy from Honda marked the perfect moment to launch her new business.
In February 2019, Honda confirmed they would shut down their Swindon factory, making thousands of employees, including Karen, redundant.
Although Karen, 46, was initially “shocked” by the news, it immediately prompted her to start planning her new business venture, The Mutts Cuts Grooming Salon.
After hearing the news about her redundancy, Karen swiftly enrolled in college on weekends to get qualified and volunteered at a local dog groomers around her shifts.
“I was shocked and quite sad really when I heard the news about Honda,” said Karen.
“But I saw it as a new beginning and the chance to set up my own business.
“I just love dogs and being a dog owner myself, it’s the perfect career for me.
“I could have saved my redundancy money or spent it on something like holidays, or a car, but I wanted to invest it for our future.”
Karen’s new business meant her husband’s “man cave” would have to go as she explained, “The new business meant Justin’s ‘man cave’ had to go but he was so supportive and on board.
“Justin understands my passion for dogs and saw the investment potential in the business.
“Two years ago, we started to convert the “man cave” at weekends and eventually turned it into a modern dog grooming salon.”
The Mutts Cuts Grooming Salon in Haydon Wick is now officially open after Karen completed her final day at Honda back in July and the bookings have already flooded in.
Karen puts her popularity down to the fact that she treats her furry clientele as she would want her own dog, Dudley, treated.
“My Dudley is my fur baby, so I understand what it means to be a dog owner,” said Karen. “Dogs are part of the family, so I will always treat my clients as I would treat my own dog.
“I believe this means I provide a superior service.
“I’m extremely pleased with how it has started. I can see the business growing but no matter how busy we get, I will always provide the same caring, patient, quality and friendly service.”
The Mutts Cuts Grooming Salon offers services such as full groom, nail clip, bath, de-shed, and blow dry. Karen’s home grooming salon works on a one-to-one basis unless dogs are from the same family. All equipment is fully sterilised between jobs.
“We cater for all dogs,” said Karen. “For nervous dogs we ask owners to come in 10 minutes before the groom to familiarise them with the surroundings.
“I am about to start a course on teeth cleaning, so that will be another service that I will offer in the near future.”
Find out more about The Mutts Cuts Grooming Salon on their website or via their Facebook page @themuttscutsgroomingsalon
