“At my age, with no college degree in the field, it was hard competing with 30- and 40-year-olds with college degrees,” she said. “I decided I needed to do something for myself.”
Ever since she took her dogs to Blissful Bark Dog Wash in Flower Mound, a dog wash and grooming business, 10 years ago, the concept had lingered in her mind. She met with the owner to discuss the industry and continued sending resumes out for IT jobs. She was undecided about her future until, she said, she received divine inspiration.
“I went to church, and it was like God was talking to me,” Ringener said. “The service was about putting fear aside; move forward boldly; hold onto faith. I thought he was talking directly to me.”
She signed the business lease and steeped herself in grooming industry research. She spent six weeks with a groomer doing on-the-job training and took online courses.
On Nov. 5, 2021, she coupled her love of dogs with her newly gained knowledge and opened It’s a Paw Thang where they offer self-serve dog washes, staff dog washes and grooming.
Ringener said customers prefer to bathe their dogs at the business versus at home for many reasons, such as the supplies are provided, and the tubs are elevated so they do not have to bend over or get on their knees like they do at home.
“One of the biggest reasons, especially for German shepherds and really hairy dogs, [is] they don’t have to clean up the mess,” she said.
They do not charge extra for helping clients with nails, teeth and ears on self-service baths.
The difference between a staff wash and grooming is grooming includes a haircut.
Ringener said she enjoys about a 70% repeat client rate and recently had an impressive influx of new clients.
“I had the best month I ever had in November, but instead of paying myself, I bought things to make this better so I can grow more,” she said.
She said one of her favorite things about owning this business is seeing families come in to bathe their four-legged friend.
“I have one dad that comes in with his two daughters to bathe their puppy,” she said. “He has the daughters very involved, because the puppy is theirs. He’s teaching them responsibility.”
It’s a Paw Thang
1236 FM 407 E, Ste. 500, Northlake
940-441-1109
www.itsapawthang.com
Hours: Tue.-Sat. 9 a.m.-6 p.m.,
Sun. noon-5 p.m., Mon. closed
