Jennifer Wagar’s job answering phones and handling office tasks at a dog salon didn’t last long. Before she knew it, she was bathing and drying dogs and trimming their nails. Then came the daunting assignment to groom her first dog. It took her four hours.

Wagar’s trainer considered that a success, and continued to assign her difficult, fighting and biting dogs, which taught her patience and made her a better groomer. It now takes her one hour.

Working with dogs that require special attention in the grooming process became Wagar’s passion and the next logical step was to find her own space to be able to provide the special care they need. She reached out to Michigan Women Forward and business consultant Shannon Schwabe of the Michigan SBDC.

After completing a two-day MI-SBDC workshop on writing a business plan and finalizing her financial projections, Wagar secured a Marysville location and a business loan within five months of idea formation to opening. Next up is finalizing a marketing plan with Schwabe’s help.

“I can’t imagine having done this without Michigan Women Forward and Shannon Schwabe of the MI-SBDC,” said Wagar.

Learn more about Urban Paws Pet Spa here.