Dogma Grooming + Pet Needs
Mission possible: From employees to business owners with the SBDC
Received $180K loan; retained 13 employees.
Megan Solomon and Rhiannon Gamble, dog groomers for 13 and 17 years respectively at Dogma Grooming in Richmondâs Carytown district, considered owning a business to be little more than a dream. However, with help from the Capital Region SBDC, their dream became reality in August 2022.
âWe both worked at Dogma and loved the small business feel there â weâd found our niche,â Megan says.
That niche was obvious to Dogmaâs owner, who looked to Megan and Rhiannon when she decided to sell the business.
âThe owner mentored us for a year,â Megan continues. âShe was the one who recommended the SBDC.â
It was good advice; helping entrepreneurs realize their dreams is the SBDCâs mission. The business partners contacted SBDC Business Advisor Charese Chambers, who offered encouragement, business basics, and financial projections.
âCharese was wonderful,â Megan says. âShe was in constant contact throughout the acquisition process and showed us the ins and outs of getting started. She helped with our business plan, explained lease renewals and put us in contact with the right people.â
Following the SBDCâs pointers, Megan and Rhiannon were approved for a $180,000 bank loan and added $20,000 in owner investment.
âCharese showed us ways to raise funds for our investment as well as how to deal with loan details,â Megan notes.
The business came with 13 employees,. âFortunately we had employee experience and looked at our employees as family â some have been here over 10 years,â Megan says. âWe do have a bookkeeper, and Rhiannon helps with payroll.â
Future plans include taking SBDC classes to add to their business ownership knowledge.
âWe plan to hold steady for a year or two before expanding,â Megan adds. âIf we stay on the same path weâve been on, weâll be fine.â
Megan and Rhiannon donât hesitate to recommend the SBDC.
âWe didnât know an organization like the SBDC existed,â Megan concluded. âItâs an awesome resource for employees like Rhiannon and me who never thought we could own a business. I hope we can inspire other women to do the same.â