ST. LOUIS PARK, Minnesota — Isadora Foley has always loved animals.
"Growing up I used to get the Dog Fancy magazines and I would cut out as many pictures as possible," Foley said.
She's been grooming dogs for 14 years — most recently as manager of a grooming salon in northeast Minneapolis.
While working there, one of Foley's clients asked her if she would be interested in owning her own business.
"I felt like it was an opportunity of a lifetime," Foley said.
That client is behind the St. Louis Park-based nonprofit In Need of Capital, which helps smaller startups.
"What they do is they provide you all the funds that are needed and they also guide you in being a business owner," Foley explained. "I was nervous. I didn't really know the business world and they have been wonderful."
But what really sold Foley on the idea was the opportunity to help someone else get their start.
"If I'm successful, all the money will go back into the nonprofit and it's like a chain effect. So then somebody else can start a small business," Foley said.
Adore Dog Salon opened in St. Louis Park on January 17, 2022. Foley said she wanted to open a salon that gave dogs a low-key, spa-like environment. The salon is also focused on education around grooming.
"Trimming your dog's nails regularly, brushing its teeth, cleaning its ears, things like that... it's really important to a dog's quality of life," Foley said.
Their puppy pass gives dogs a chance to get acclimated to going to the groomers.
"They get to smell everything; they get on a grooming table; we turn a dryer on; we turn the showerhead on. We pretty much acclimate them to what it's going to be like for their first visit," Foley said. "I wanted it to be a positive experience for every dog."
Many people got pets during the pandemic. That, along with a lack of groomers, has kept dog salons busy.
"A lot of people have been so happy to be able to get in and get their dog's hair cut," Foley said.
Adore Dog Salon is accepting new clients. You can book online or call 952-529-0688. The salon is located at 3113 Lynn Avenue in St. Louis Park.
Know a local business we should feature for our Behind the Business segment? Email Heidi Wigdahl at hwigdahl@kare11.com.
