CoVaBIZ Family-Owned Businesses: Muddy Buddy

by CoVaBizMag

What inspired you to start a pet wash and grooming business?
I was a patron of the Muddy Buddy on General Booth Boulevard, and I would wash my German Shepherd Albert there frequently. I thought the concept of being able to wash him at hip level, so I didn’t have to bend over the tub, and then blow dry him out and not leave a huge mess at my house was genius. I told the previous owner if she ever considered selling to call me. A year later, she called me. Serendipitously, my parents were retiring that same year so we decided to go into the business together. I was running my real estate company, and they wanted something to occupy them in their retirement. It worked out perfectly.

Why do you feel that it’s important for pet washing to be a family-oriented experience?
I think that teaching your children how to care for pets is an essential part of growing up. We have so many families that come in with children and adults of all ages who wash and dry their pets together.  It’s a family activity that can be really fun to do together and it teaches personal responsibility to the little ones at the same time.

What makes your business stand out from non-family-owned competitors?
Our goal is not to compete with the corporate chains. We just want to make sure that anyone who comes through our doors feels like they are a part of our extended family. We believe that pets are an integral part of the family and the care of them should be too. We get to know our customers and their pets on a personal level.

How has being a family-owned business influenced your relationship with the local community?
It’s so important to feel safe in your local community, and our approachable and warm atmosphere has created a bond with our patrons and we’ve formed lasting relationships with so many of them.

Business: Muddy Buddy
Owner: Amy Carder

Muddy Buddy is a Virginia Beach-based top-tier pet care company with two locations offering a range of professional pet wash and grooming services. Clients can choose in-store grooming, self-service dog wash, mobile grooming and transport services at a reasonable cost. Boasting team members with 30-plus years of experience, Muddy Buddy treats every pet with the same love and care they would receive at home.

GENERAL BOOTH 1485 General Booth Blvd., Suite 105
Virginia Beach, VA 23454

INDEPENDENCE 1137 Independence Blvd
Virginia Beach, VA 23455

muddybuddydog.com

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