Nicole Henderson is the owner and operator of Grooming Tails Pet Salon, located in Fredericton, N.B. As a Fredericton native, Nicole was exposed to entrepreneurship at an early age, as her father owned his own business. “I think entrepreneurship runs in my blood. My grand-father had his own business as well. I really like being able to contribute to the community and providing a great service and being able to support myself while doing it.”

Taking biology at UNB for three years, Nicole decided to turn her artistic flair and passion love for animals into a business. She attended Pampered Paws Grooming Academy in Toronto Ontario and completed a 12 week course to become a Pet Stylist.  She returned to Fredericton and started by grooming dogs in people's homes.  She then took on a job as a Veterinary technician at a local Vet hospital for three years and was able to groom part time there as well.  In 2006 she decided it was time to open her own business and there has been no turning back.

Grooming Tails Pet Salon is a full service professional pet grooming facility for both cats and dogs that and she delivers quality grooming at competitive rates.  She provides a comfortable and, relaxed environment for her clients. Nicole’s warm smile and energetic personality automatically makes her clients feel welcome.

According to Nicole, “Even though it can be a fast paced business at times and you can't always control the barking!!!  I am very patient and take my time with all pets especially the pets may be a little difficult.  I take to heart that every pet that comes threw my door is a member of that clients family.  So I treat them as such.”

Nicole excels at being an excellent service provider and is always up for a challenge. A client, Lorraine Given says of Nicole:

“I have been using Nicole as a groomer for about a year now.  Being new to New Brunswick I had great difficulty finding someone who would hand strip my two Cairn Terriers to standard.  After trying two separate groomers in Sussex and Moncton I gave up as they were not able to hand strip my dogs properly. I was referred to Nicole by a vet and have not looked back.  I don't require a show dog groom but Nicole gives me one.  The dogs love her and their coats have improved under her expert care.   I travel from Sussex for each appointment which is an hour and a half drive one way - its worth it."

The quality of her end product sets Nicole apart from her competitors. She is prides herself on having attended a licensed school of professional pet grooming and learning from certified master groomer, Lesley Weeks. She also provide services that other groomers do not.  For example, no one in Fredericton currently provides Hand-stripping as an option for grooming and only a few groomers in town offer cat grooming as a service. 

When asked about her role models, Nicole attributes both her instructor Lesley Weeks and her father. She appreciates Lesley for turning her grooming knowledge into an enterprise and respects her father for the knowledge he has bestowed upon her.

The best advice she has received is, “To do your research and go into business prepared.  I feel I did that and have watched my business blossom over the past two years with few surprises!”

This dynamic business owner encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to do their research:

“Prepare a business plan no matter how hard or long it may take.  It's not easy to do one and it takes a lot of work but it will show you so much about the industry your getting into that you won't regret it.”

Nicole credits the NB Association of CBDCs and CBDC Southwest for furthering her business knowledge:

 “They have provided me with educational seminars that have furthered my business.  There is a network of people behind the CBDCs that care and are there if you have any questions.  It is nice to have the support of people who's job is to help you. And being able to meet through the CBDCs so many other people in business has been a great asset to myself and my business.”

Nicole is also very active her community. She is a member of the Greater Fredericton Women in Business Network (WBN).  She has also attended and been involved in NB-SPCA’s Pet Expo and Cat Show.  In addition, she has volunteered her services by giving seminars in grooming and grooming demos.  Furthermore, she has given her time the past few years at the Stanley Fair, where she acted as a judge for their Pet Contest.

For interests, Nicole has been involved in several musical productions over the years and she loves to sing and dance. She was a member of a troupe called Brunswick Spirit which involved a group of about 10 who sang and danced all over the Maritimes. In addition, they went south several times to perform. Whenever she gets the opportunity, she tries to get involved in something musical.  Most recently, she performed in the production "Virtures of Broadway" hosted by Ecole St. Anne in the fall of 2007.  She has also entered a couple of Karaoke contests in Fredericton.

For more information visit Grooming Tails Pet salon Website at: http://www.groomingtails.ca/