Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Aymar.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Zen Dog Spa began in January 2019 when Danielle Aymar purchased the business formerly known as Coats & Tails Grooming — a location that has been home to a grooming shop for over 20 years. After re-branding to the now known, Zen Dog Spa, the business grew steadily, navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic with the help of SBA funding and a resilient team. In 2021, Danielle became the sole owner and shifted the business model to a one-on-one grooming approach, focusing exclusively on grooming services and investing heavily in staff training and development. In 2024, she expanded the business into the neighboring retail space, which has allowed the business to grow twice as much, all in one location!
Since then, Zen Dog Spa has continued to grow into one of Charleston’s most trusted grooming destinations, known for its compassionate, Fear Free approach to pet care. We have spent recent years fine-tuning our policies, expanding our services, and building an exceptional team. As we enter 2026, we are proud to begin the year with 10 dedicated team members and a loyal client base of over 3,000 — a true reflection of the trust and community we have built over the years.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The beginning was very smooth, at the time there was only myself and 2 other employees grooming about 10-15 dogs a day. I was just getting back into being a business owner after about a 20 year break from being self-employed. So the struggles were kind of ordinary day to day struggles. But 2020 was a whole different story. I remember so vividly the day we closed the shop down to quarantine. There were so many unknowns, but I found a way to keep the business open, make sure my employees were taken care of and return to somewhat normal operations within a few months time. Then when I felt I had just recovered from 2020, at the end of 2021, my husband, who was also my business partner, decided to leave both the marriage and the business. I honestly wasn’t sure I would be able to keep the business on my own, but once again, found a way and made it happen. The renovation/expansion process was also a lot harder than I thought it would be, but now that I am on the other side of it, I’m so glad I did it. The expansion has given us the space to bring in new team members and new clients and I’m so grateful for every single person that walks through our front door.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Zen Dog Spa is a Fear Free grooming salon, we are dedicated to providing a calm, compassionate, and stress-free grooming experience for dogs and the people who love them.
What sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to the emotional and physical wellbeing of every dog in our care. We specialize in Fear Free grooming techniques, which means we are trained to recognize and reduce fear, anxiety, and stress in pets throughout the grooming process. Every dog is treated as an individual — we take the time to understand their needs, their history, and what makes them feel safe. Our one-on-one grooming model ensures that each pet stays with the same groomer from start to finish, creating consistency, trust, and a genuinely positive experience.
We are most proud of the culture we have built — both for our clients and our team. Our groomers are not just skilled technicians; they are passionate advocates for animal wellbeing who continuously invest in their education and certifications. We believe that a well-cared-for team translates directly into well-cared-for pets, and that philosophy is woven into everything we do.
At Zen Dog Spa, we are not just grooming dogs — we are building relationships, earning trust, and raising the standard for what pet care can look like. We want readers to know that when they bring their dog to us, they are choosing a team that genuinely cares — and that makes all the difference.
What were you like growing up?
I’m not sure what this space is for.
Pricing:
- Our pricing is based on pet size, coat length and condition and the complexity of the groom, so it varies for each pet.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.zendogspa.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zendogspachs/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zendogspachs
