REGIONAL BUSINESS FEATURE
BY KAREN CHANEY
Groomer Jade Smith gives Walter, a Maltese mix, a haircut.
PAWESOME SERVICES It’s a Paw Thang o ers self-service and sta - service washes.
A self-service dog wash is a walk-in that includes shampoos, dryers, combs, dematting tools, dental gel and nail clippers. Prices start at $12.99*. A sta -service wash features a full-service wash and nail clipping. Prices start at $28.99*. Grooming appointments includes all services in a sta wash plus a haircut. Prices start at $60*.
Owner Penny Ringener opened It’s a Paw Thang on Nov. 5, 2021.
Groomer Victoria Truong gives Tucker, a cockapoo, a bath in one of the five tubs.
PHOTOS BY KAREN CHANEY COMMUNITY IMPACT
It’s a Paw Thang Northlake business o ers grooming options, self-serve dog wash P enny Ringener said she had worked in the information technology eld for over 30 years when she was laid o in 2020. “At my age, with no college
was undecided about her future until, she said, she received divine inspiration. “I went to church, and it was like God was talking to me,” Ringener said. “The service was about putting fear aside; move forward boldly; hold onto faith. I thought he was talking directly to me.” She signed the business lease and steeped herself in grooming indus- try research. She spent six weeks with a groomer doing on-the-job training and took online courses. She coupled her love of dogs with her newly gained knowledge and opened It’s a Paw Thang in Novem- ber 2021, o ering self-serve dog washes, dog washes done by sta and grooming services are o ered. Ringener said customers prefer to bathe their dogs at the business
versus at home for many reasons, such as the supplies are provided, and the tubs are elevated so they do not have to bend over or get on their knees like they do at home. “One of the biggest reasons, especially for German shepherds and really hairy dogs, [is] they don’t have to clean up the mess,” she said. It’s a Paw Thang does not charge extra for helping clients with nails, teeth and ears on self-service baths. The di erence between a sta -serviced wash and grooming is grooming includes a haircut. Ringener said she has 70% of clients are repeat and had an in ux of new clients. “I had the best month I ever had in November, but instead of paying myself, I bought things to make this better so I can grow more,” she said.
*All prices are based on dog weight.
degree in the eld, it was hard competing with 30- and 40-year- olds with college degrees,” she said. “I decided I needed to do something for myself.” Ever since she took her dogs to dog wash and grooming business Blissful Bark Dog Wash in Flower Mound 10 years ago, the concept had lingered in her mind. Now, she operates her own dog wash business—It’s a Paw Thang in Northlake. She met with the owner of Blissful Bark Dog Wash to discuss the industry and continued send- ing resumes out for IT jobs. She
It’s a Paw Thang 1236 FM 407 E, Ste. 500, Northlake 940-441-1109 www.itsapawthang.com Hours: Tue.-Sat. 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun. noon-5 p.m., Mon. closed
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