http://prettysweetgrooming.com/

Kristen's Pretty Sweet Grooming, North Little Rock, AR (2024)

01/14/2024

A personal note to my sweet friends: today, January 14th, would've been my Sweet Stormy's 14th birthday. It's the first birthday I'll spend without her. I will still celebrate her by treating Luke & Claire to new toys & a bit of yummy canned food, but it won't be the same. I'm still extremely sad that she's gone even after almost 8 months. If you don't know, the name of my business is a combination of her "other" names. She was my Pretty Little because she was the smallest dog I'd had & she was always so very soft & shiny. I also called her Sweets, short for Sweet Stormy because she was my sweetest girl. She loved to get her "smell pretty" after baths! She would prance around like she ruled the world after getting her puppy perfume! For that moment, she did rule my world. She held my whole heart and took much of it with her 💔

My friends, hug your babies extra tight tonight & during this bad weather we're about to get. Please stay safe & warm. If you need tips for bathing your outside dog at home so they can come inside, I'm just a text away! Please message me here or at 501-313-3813. I'll answer everybody (client or not) ASAP. But please, I beg you, do not leave your babies outside in the cold. It's going to be deathly cold and their bodies won't be able to stay warm, even with adequate shelter & straw.

I love you all and thank you for your support! It means the world! Stormy would love you all too 🥰

01/10/2024

Have you guys seen the forecast for our area lately?? If you have a dog that stays outside & you refuse to bring them inside until they're clean but don't want to do it yourself, message me NOW! My schedule could allow for some quick baths. Otherwise my first opening is Saturday afternoon.

I WILL make time to get your baby ready to be an inside dog! They belong inside as part of the family anyway😉

"But what about your weight limit?" This is to get a dog clean, no haircuts or deshedding. You still have to provide a tub & hot water & an outlet for me.
"How much will it cost?" Depends on the size of your dog primarily. Message me & I'll give you a ballpark estimate!

01/08/2024

I got to see sweet Hallie today at Mariposa Studio & miss Hallie had so much fun that she wanted to be hired on as my driver after she got all clean & smelling sweet! Mom picked the harvest apple fragrance which is amazing! I wouldn't have minded a sweet apple puppy driving me around, but her momma would 😂 Seriously, couldn't have asked for a better way to start my day today! She was an angel 😇

01/01/2024

As 2023 comes to a close, I want to thank each and every one of you that has stuck with me and joined me on this journey! Your faith in me and the trust you give by letting me care for your best friends means the world! I wish you all the very best new year full of happiness and love that only a dog can top🥰 Give your babies lots of hugs & kisses for me!! I hope to see you soon 💜🐾

12/28/2023

UPDATE: 1/8/23: My availability is going back to normal limited times after today! First available is the 13th in the afternoon! Please message me so we can see when I can fit you in after this week 😊 THANK YOU to everybody who has kept me busy this week, but it's time to catch up on things at home & finally rest for a bit! Love you all! 💜

AVAILABILITY UPDATE! ✨PLEASE SHARE!✨
I have THIS SATURDAY, Dec 30th, completely free! Please message me ASAP if you want me to come take care of your baby/babies! 🥰

I have open availability Jan 3-5th, 7th, 9th, & 10th! The 8th is open after 2pm!

Help me fill next week up! I appreciate everything you all do for me 🫂🐾

Also to note, my weight limit for new clients will be increased for this week! Some of my large sized regular pups have opted for other services & that's ok! I can take on a limited amount of larger pups that I'd love to make new regulars😊

12/28/2023

Hello sweet friends!
I will have OPEN AVAILABILITY starting January 2nd & going through the 10th! Message me now to save your spot!

That Saturday is already full unless somebody cancels. Everything else is fair game! Don't forget that I can accommodate late evenings😊 Please share so I can hopefully meet some new long term besties & get them on the regular rotation before things pick back up in the spring! 🌼

12/25/2023

Merry Happy Monday😁
What, you thought I wouldn't have a cheesy dog holiday themed sweatshirt? You should see my socks!
Hugs to you & your pups! I hope Santa brought you something awesome!

12/23/2023

This is Ace. He's the best boy! He gives hugs & kisses. He wanted to show off his silly face to add a little joy to your feed🥰 I'm beyond thrilled that his family found me working independently. I cried at that first hug I got from him today. When I say my clients' dogs are just as loved as my own, I mean it! He'll be seeing me monthly from now on & I'm the happiest groomer alive today🥲

12/23/2023

Happy Friday!! Here's your fact: 2 whole days until Christmas!
I WILL be available tomorrow (Saturday) late afternoon or Sunday afternoon. I will consider a late night appointment on Sunday for a holiday premium fee.

Did you get a puppy for your kids that needs to be all pretty & smelling sweet for when they wake up on Monday morning?? First of all, that's YOUR puppy & I'll do my best to educate you on lifetime grooming needs since you'll be the one responsible. Second, I'll make that puppy look so dang adorable that you might squeal & wake the kids up...and I hope Santa had already brought all the other gifts & filled those stockings with candy. Did you get the puppy a stocking?? Because puppy needs one too.

Ok, that's all for now! Have a great weekend in the meantime😊

12/16/2023

Last night was Sophie, round 3! She's made some very small but noticeable improvements! I'm very proud of her & thankful that her people are so kind to let me work on her on a regular basis🥰

(And, yes, I'll probably be giving everybody cheesy photoroom backgrounds from now on🤣)

12/15/2023

Friday Facts...on time this week 😁

Should I take my dog with me?? It's more complicated than you think. Short answer: it's up to your dog.

I've been reflecting on how different all my dogs have been. My personal photo memories took me back to photos with Santa from my yellow lab Ace, who was the sweetest most chill boy ever, and Stormy, the inspiration for my business name. Stormy wasn't always the most social dog. The Santa pics from 10 & 11 years ago show how Stormy got a tiny bit better over the year & how Ace was gonna love on everybody no matter what. They were totally different, but best friends either way. I recently took Luke & Claire to take pics with Santa & the similarities between their brief session & the one 10 years ago were striking. Luke wanted to play with all the people. He wanted to chase the ball that he knocked off the tree. Claire wasn't totally petrified, but she wasn't super thrilled. She got away from Santa & was returned just to sit behind him & "hide." Stormy never got that dramatic, but she couldn't wait to get back to me. It took her years to be comfortable in public, but once she was, she loved it! She was never one to want to socialize with many people or basically any dogs, but she never got aggressive. Luke doesn't play nice with many dogs & is not a fan of certain men. He chooses who he wants to be friends with. He knows who our friends & family are though. Random dude at the ballpark? Unless they have a giant jar of peanut butter & a spoon, he'd rather nip their hands to tell them to back off. I think he's a little protective. Everybody up until Claire has understood "let's go for a ride!" & would drag me to the car. Claire doesn't know the phrase yet. She gets in the car on her own, but wants to hide in the floorboard. We get to a place & if it's just her, she's extremely reserved and anxious. She sticks right with me & only interacts with people I talk to. With Luke, she's a different dog almost. She says hi to everybody & plays nice with other dogs. Totally different from protective Luke. I've been extra fortunate to have dogs that love going for rides! Usually there is fast food involved😊 But not all dogs are like mine. Some dogs can't even get in a car without trying to escape. Some once in the car will become destructive or get carsick. In a grooming salon setting, I can't tell you how many dogs come in all drooly & stinky from being nervous in a car. My best recommendation is to take your dog on brief trips to dog friendly stores & on-leash parks when they're young to avoid this, but if you've passed that stage, you might find that it's easier just to stay home. If your dog is one that has to stay home or else suffer from severe anxiety either in the car or in public, I'm here to help!! I'll come to you! We even have house call vets in the area! Need help training your dog to be a model citizen in the car & in public? Look up a professional dog trainer in your area! Until then, grooming waits for no one! Message me today to grab your spot on my now limited schedule!

12/11/2023

Hey guys! My Google business page is live & I'd really appreciate some good reviews from my happy clients if you don't mind 🥰 Thanks in advance💜
https://maps.app.goo.gl/khK4434p1mH6gaQP6

12/11/2023

I finally jumped on the photoroom bandwagon & I think these turned out pretty good! Thanks to Charley & Bawyna for being such good sports today 😊 Bawyna is not a fan of the paparazzi, so keep that in mind🤣 Now that I think about it, Charley the ornament needs a crown or something like that. He's adorable & he knows it!!!!

12/09/2023

Serious Saturday:
I just checked & I only have 5-6 days with openings before Christmas!!!!! PLEASE message me here or text me at 501-313-3813 as soon as you can to snag one of those spots! You can call, but it will inevitably go to voicemail. Leave one & I'll get back to you as soon as possible! I will answer everybody, I promise!

I've been really flexible over the last couple months. That's changing starting today! And again, unless you have been an established client of mine before today either under this business or my previous place of employment, my current weight limit is 40lbs for new clients. This is to ensure my ability to continue to provide reliable & high quality care to the pets already on my roster😊

I wish this wasn't such a serious post. I'm going to do my absolute best to take care of everybody that needs me before the holiday. If it can wait until after Christmas, I'll have more dates & times open. And the 5-6 days mentioned above is me working 7 days a week😬

Less serious, but still serious:
This week has been pretty busy & I've survived with the help of the lovely humans at Ming Massage in the mall. The most important tool I have is my body (see Friday Facts). Yeah I need to work on my health a bit more, but I can't even begin to express how much I owe the guys in the mall for getting me through extra busy weeks over the years. They've essentially saved my life on more than a few occasions! Please pay them a visit if you're finding yourself stiff & achy. You can go by if you simply need a bit of self care too! They are incredibly kind and professional 💜 Don't forget to pick up a punch card because I know you'll be going back 😉

12/09/2023

Last minute Friday Facts! I'm really cutting it close here on it actually being posted on Friday🤣

A groomer is only as good as the products and tools in their toolbox!

I went to visit my sweet grooming family at Northern Tails this week & hung out a while. Unfortunately I needed to replace one of my tools that broke over the weekend. Don't worry, I knew exactly how to work without it, but I didn't WANT to work without it! Grooming equipment must be kept sharp in order for me to work efficiently. I'm slow enough as it is😁 Also.... products need to be dog-specific & preferably specific to your individual dog's needs. Some dogs need deep conditioning, some need irritated skin soothed, some need dense shedding coat removed. There are products specifically for all of those things! I'm trying to build my inventory of product to help all pups, but have a few different things that are pretty universal & are great on all dogs.

Ok I didn't make it. So... Saturday facts it is for this week😬

Have an amazing weekend everybody 🥰

12/04/2023

‼️ IMPORTANT UPDATE‼️
I no longer have the ability to take in new clients over 40lbs. The only exception I can make is if you were on a regular schedule (no more than 8 weeks between appointments) with me prior to this past September at a different business.

Like my post on Friday said, my availability is going to be limited starting in about a week. Current clients as well as my beloved regulars from before September will always get priority, so don't worry! I will be happy to schedule your smaller pup within the month of December if you've never used my services before as long as you can commit to a regular schedule in 2024!

If you have a larger dog over 40lbs that will need the services of a groomer before the holiday & you don't have a regular groomer already, please look for places that could keep your big baby on as a regular client after the holiday.

And now a message for everybody, client or not:
I've been in the grooming business a long time & the service industry my whole working life. I'm not naive to what happens before Christmas. I say the following because of what I've seen over the years. Don't forget to be kind to everybody you encounter. Personally, this year has been one of the most difficult years of my life. I try to treat everyone as if their life has been like mine...barely able to keep their head above water. If you've had an easy year & are cruising into the holiday with happiness and abundance, my one wish for you this season is that you are able to pass a little bit of those things to others. It can be as small as a smile or compliment to a stranger! Kindness costs nothing 😊

12/02/2023

I've been busy, so I've slacked on my Friday Facts, so let's get back into it!

Between the first of December & Christmas Eve are the busiest days of the year for dog groomers!
Everybody got caught up in other holidays & just plain forgot that December 25th comes on the same day every year! Who'd have thought??
Ok, ok, enough of my sarcasm🤣

Serious time! If you want your dog groomed before Christmas, it may already be too late depending on your chosen groomer. If you already have a regular groomer, go with their availability & do your homework (brushing, combing, nails) in the meantime. If your dog is matted or has stuck coat, the sooner you can get in with a good groomer, the better! Also, be prepared to pay for dematting, put up a full deposit, and in some cases last minute scheduling fees. I'm only speaking for myself & a couple others when I say that we're worth it😉 Groomers in the month of December usually take on more than they can handle & end up getting injured or just plain frustrated, which leads to dogs acting out in reaction & greatly increases the chance for pet injury. Personally, I know my physical & mental limits. I stick to them strictly. I may make a couple exceptions, but I will have to charge for the extra time & maybe having to call in favors to have a friend or family member potty & feed my own pups. You will never be charged extra just for the heck of it.

If your dog can wait to be groomed until after Christmas, you'll find that most groomers are very open in the following weeks, so you might as well wait.

Now here's a fact that I'm just gonna rip the bandaid off on.... Pretty Sweet Grooming is going to part time & limited availability mid December. This business hasn't taken off as planned, so I've had to arrange other means of paying my bills. If you already have an appointment with me, I will do my absolute best to keep it & my established clients will be prioritized. I will have limited days to schedule new clients. It's important now more than ever to go ahead & let me know if you want in before Christmas!!

I love you all & thank you for trusting me with your babies! Let's all get things settled to end 2023 successfully!!

11/25/2023

The elephant in the room: PRICING!

No matter where you go or who you choose to groom your dog, pricing is (or should be) dependent on many factors! Mostly I go off of a base price depending on the first 2 of these, but other things can affect the price if additional time is needed. Let's go over the variables:
🐾 Weight/size
🐾 Coat type/breed
🐾 Coat condition (tangles, matting, excessive shedding, etc.)
🐾 Age
🐾 Behavior
🐾 Health conditions & history
🐾 Frequency of grooming
🐾 Your location since I come to you

Other factors that can affect pricing neither of us can control:
🐾 Local economy & competitor pricing
🐾 Product cost
🐾 Equipment maintenance
🐾 Equipment damages
🐾 Other regular costs of doing business

As you can see, there are a lot of things that go into calculating the cost of a service! To be clear, of the factors above, honesty & transparency on your part is best! If your dog needs special care due to joint issues, that's fine! If your dog has a history of being difficult or biting over certain aspects of grooming, I need to know that to keep us both safe! I always give dogs every chance to succeed in being groomed despite some of the things you may be hesitant to admit, like biting.

Grooming your dog in their own home should be a fun and stress free experience, but I understand not all dogs enjoy getting groomed. Most simply tolerate it. Did you know that in these 2 short months of being in service, I've seen dogs behave so much better in their own home than in a salon setting? The pup who used to resist coming into the salon with me before now comes running to me, tail going 90 to nothing giving kisses & cuddles at home! The puppy that was excessively wiggly before stands still at home. The dog who acted out after having to be kenneled in a salon is very calm at home. Since I came from a salon setting, I've tried to keep my prices as low as possible to give you an incentive to try me out & let me give your dog the low stress groom they deserve!

Whew! You still with me? If so, now you know the "how" and "why" of pricing. I hope this helps you prepare for the inevitable questions I'll ask when you inquire about services 😊

11/24/2023

🧨I have a HUGE but SMALL favor to ask🧨

Go to my Business Page - Kristen's Pretty Sweet Grooming !

Go to the 3 little dots on the side of page, Hit “invite friends”

Select "invite all" & done

You've SUCCESSFULLY supported my Small Business for $0.00

Thank YOU for supporting a small and local business in your community!

‼️‼️SUPPORT YOUR FRIENDS AND SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES ‼️‼️

I love you and I believe in you 💓

I stole this from another page that had the following to say for themselves: "(Copied) but wanted to share as this is an amazing way to help us small business owners especially before the holidays!"

11/24/2023

Happy Black Friday, my friends! Tomorrow is Small Business Saturday!

I was on my feet quite a bit yesterday, so today (Friday) is going to be a recharge day. As you settle back into your routine from the holiday, don't forget that I'm among many small businesses that need a little bit of a helping hand over the holiday season. The best things you can do to help are:
🐾 Schedule an appointment!🗓️
🐾 Tell your friends & family about me!🗣️
🐾 Share my posts!➡️
🐾 Leave a glowing 5 star review on the page 🥰

Thank you to all of my faithful friends that have tried out my service & have seen for themselves how different I am from a traditional grooming salon setup! Make sure you schedule your pre-🎅🏼 groom ASAP!

Love you all 😘

11/23/2023

Here's another reason to party today!! It's Luke Cage's birthday!!!! My sweet precious baby boy is 6 🥳😘 Don't let his face fool you, he is a BABY! nobody could convince him or me otherwise 😁

11/23/2023

Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends! I'm so thankful for each & every single one of you!

Today is another special holiday. More details to come😊

11/22/2023

PLEASE be careful with your animals over the holiday weekend! Well, any time your vet is closed actually. I don't want anybody to need the services of this clinic, but here's the info in case you do.

11/22/2023

If you absolutely can't wait another day to get your pup groomed, call me (don't text in case I don't hear it) at 501-313-3813 by or before 10am!!!

If you can't reserve your pre-thanksgiving groom by 10am today, I'm sorry to say that you'll have to hold off.....until Friday! That's right, I'm gladly taking appointments for this Friday & beyond!

Thank you to everybody who has already trusted me with the care of your sweet babies💜 They are all special in their own unique ways & I love every one of you!

11/21/2023

🎶 It's the final countdown!🎶
I can take on ONE client TONIGHT (if you provide towels) and ONE in the morning! After that, it's turkey day time! Have a grooming 🚑EMERGENCY🚑? Send me a message now!!!

11/21/2023

My pups are finally asleep, so I've been making progress getting my other socials up & running! Follow me on Instagram!
https://instagram.com/prettysweetgrooming?igshid=MTk0NTkyODZkYg==

11/20/2023

For anybody unfamiliar with me & my services... here's me not taking myself too seriously😊 I'm serious about showing the utmost care for your dog, but we've gotta have fun, right? Book your appointment today!!

Do you have a dog that might scare your Thanksgiving guests? Make the turkey run out of the oven & back to the store? Grandma might mistake it for the mop & drag your precious baby all over the floor after she spills the gravy?
If you answered "yes" to any of these questions & you need that pup fixed up, lemme know! I can have them looking 💯 sometime Monday, Tuesday afternoon, or Wednesday morning! What's best is that your sweet ragamuffin will be groomed in the comfort of home. No stressful crowded kennel banks full of barking dogs. No rushing the process. No risk of that respiratory thing that's going around. (Did you see that TikTok of the vet saying not to get your dog groomed? 😬) Trust me, your dog needs to be groomed. You can do it yourself (hello emergency vet & cheap dull out of the box clippers 💸) or you can trust somebody with almost a decade of experience that specializes in difficult cases & already has all the top of the line equipment. Your choice 😉

11/20/2023

Happy Sunday night! I hope you all had fantastic weekends!😊
Don't forget that I'm available for services tomorrow (Monday), Tuesday afternoon, and Wednesday morning!
Don't need a full groom? That's ok! If you're worried about your precious pup jumping on your holiday guests, let me come get their nails smoothed out for you! Need a little help with regular brushing while you get ready for guests? Send me a message! Let me come lend a hand!

I look forward to meeting more new friends very soon! Hug your puppies for me 🥰

11/17/2023

Miss Sophie, round 2!

She did a little better today!!! I absolutely love seeing dogs evolve into perfect groom babies & she's going to get there...eventually 😁 Thanks to her humans for letting me work with her!

11/16/2023

⚠️🦃 LAST CALL!!🦃⚠️
My openings are now limited to Tuesday afternoon & Wednesday morning if you want in before Thanksgiving!!!!!

Please send me a message or give me a call at 501-313-3813 to get on the schedule!