Montie's Grooming & Goods was inspired by two very special dogs who changed my life in ways I never could have imagined, but the journey to creating this business started long before Montie came into my life.
My journey in the dog boarding and daycare industry began with Colin and Erin. I have been working with them for nearly eight years, reaching that milestone this November. Over the years, what started as a job became so much more than that. It became a career that I truly love, a place where I was able to learn, grow, build relationships, and discover just how meaningful working with dogs could be.
For almost a year and a half, I have been working full-time and have also had the incredible opportunity to become a co-owner. I attended Slippery Rock University for a degree in Safety Management and continued working at Berkley Creek over the years.
Before I graduated, I completed an internship with Kiewit, a construction company. I was placed in Jacksonville, Florida, building a shiplift and drydock for Navy ships. At the end of my internship, I was offered a full-time position in the southeast district. I had a tough decision to make about what I really wanted to do, but ultimately I followed my heart and stayed at Berkley Creek.
Being part of the business and having the chance to grow within the industry has taught me so much and continues to teach me so much. Not only about grooming, but about caring for clients, building trust, running a business, and creating an experience that people and their dogs can feel good about.
Those years of experience helped me realize that grooming was something I wanted to continue pursuing and eventually build upon in my own way. After nearly eight years in the industry, I felt ready to take the next step and create something that was truly my own.