By Tim Leeds
Kim Edwards has returned to her hometown of Havre to open a new pet grooming business, Pampered Paws Pet Grooming.
Edwards said she is already keeping busy. She started her business on Oct. 9, but began full operations in mid-November.
"I'm just trying to get things going and get everything together," she said.
Edwards said she already has quite a few regular customers, and has good references from her work in Great Falls. She said she was trained by Kris Landon, owner and operator of Groomingdale's in Great Falls.
"She's a veteran in the business," Edwards said.
She said she worked for Landon, then they both took positions at Petco in Great Falls, where she worked until returning to Havre.
Edwards said she invites area pet owners to come and try her service. She said sometimes it can take a lot of trial and error to find a pet groomer you like.
"Groomers are like hairdressers," she said; "it's just who you prefer and what you prefer That's the best way to describe it."
Edwards said she tries to work with her clients to make it easier for them. She said she can schedule it so they drop off their pet and pick it up a few hours later if that's what they need, or she can take the pet all day if circumstances demand. She said the client can stay while she grooms the pet if they wish, although that can be distracting for the pet, or they can just leave it with her. She said she is used to working out in the open with easy contact with the owners.
"I work with my clientele," she said; "I always have."
Edwards said she is very familiar with grooming cats. Part of the reason, she said, is that Landon was pregnant while she worked with her, and turned over all the cats to Edwards to avoid any health risks.
"I did lots of them (cats) at Petco," she said.
She said she is planning on eventually getting some new equipment for her business, possibly kennel dryers and a larger dryer. She said every groomer has a different technique, and while she brought a lot of her own equipment back to Havre with her, she would like to pick up some more to make the work faster and more convenient.
Edwards is renting the former location of Wilma Moore's Pet Boutique at 1750 Washington Ave. Edwards said when Moore became ill soon after she moved back to Havre to rent the shop, it made the transition difficult. Moore died shortly after retiring, on Oct. 21. Edwards said Moore's family has been very helpful about making the transition.
Edwards said she is currently using her cellphone for the business while she works on getting a permanent business listing for Pampered Paws. She said right now the cellphone is the easiest way, and she always has it with her. Her cell number is 390-3442.
