Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryley Beckwith-Kirkland.
Ryley, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am third generation; my grandmother and mother are top winning competitive groomers and have been pet grooming their whole lives. I grew up showing, pet/competitive/show grooming, and caring for pets from the minute I could. I started bathing dogs for my mom at the age of six, I have proof! Dogs have been my life since I could remember, and I have loved it ever since. Through my childhood I soaked up every bit of pet grooming I could, working for my mom, learning from her, and grooming occasional clients of my own. I competed in AKC junior handling, being a top ranked junior in the country, this was my life, and main focus from the age of 9-18. Once I could no longer compete, I went back to being more involved in pet grooming, it became my full love and passion. I no longer loved the atmosphere of being in one place grooming all day, I wanted to move around more, so I tried mobile. I worked for a franchise and learned how much I loved a mobile schedule, and moving around. Though I didn’t agree with how clients and employees were being treated, I decided it was time to go on my own. This is the best decision I could have ever made, take the risk, go for your dreams, it is worth it! At the age of 19 I became the owner and groomer of TopKnotch Mobile Grooming, which is a spinoff of my mom’s grooming shop TopKnotch Pet Stylz. I have the absolute best clients, furry and human, that make me love my job more, every day.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
In my experience, I have been very lucky to have a great start to my business, I have not had one unhappy client, no issues with advertising. But still with no problems, I am prepared for them to come, because that is a part of owning a business. There were definitely a ton of jitters and fear of failing coming into everything, everyone will have this, but with determination, good research prior, and hope, you will succeed. Being able to control my own work to life balance, and the freedom I have felt is nothing I have felt before. I am healthier and 100 times happier on my own. If anyone reading is thinking about taking that first big step. DO IT. It will be so worth it. As scary as it is, you have to take risks, to be successful & happy.
We’ve been impressed with TopKnotch Mobile Grooming, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
TopKnotch Mobile offers one on one dog and cat grooming services, at the comfort of our clients’ driveways. It is an excellent option for pets that don’t like car rides, don’t like other dogs or the stress of multiple dogs in a shop at a time, owners that don’t like leaving their pet for sometimes up to 8 hours at the groomers, owners that don’t have a very flexible schedule, or even work from home! We can groom your pet without you even having to leave work! We can even come grab you pet for a spa day, while you are away!! It is the most convenient option. What sets my business and service apart, is the client comes first, my clients are my biggest priority, it is not just a dry small exchange, these are lifelong friendships that I build and cherish with both owners and their babies, and I am so grateful for them! Everyone’s happiness is my biggest goal. The safety and happiness of each pet is my biggest priority. Being a safe place for each client, and being entrusted with their babies, is my biggest honor. My heart is overly full working this job every day. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. And that is the soul center of my business.
These babies are my world, and bring happiness to me every day! Your pet will never not enjoy a spa day when they enter my environment, they become one of my babies too!
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I owe everything to my parents, family, and significant other for being my biggest supporters! Having a good support system, goes a long way in taking on something like this. They make it a little less scary. And I want to thank all of my amazing clients for being the absolute best, I am forever grateful they trust me with their fur babies, it is an honor. Thank you Jesus for this incredible journey!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://topknotchmobilegrooming.my.canva.site/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AgwabVobB/
