We had the good fortune of connecting with Monica Santiago and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Monica, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I knew at a very young age that entrepreneurship was something I wanted to pursue! While working for a large company in the business world, I realized I couldn’t find anyone I could trust to care for my own dogs. In the pursuit of looking for a groomer for all three of my yorkies, I opted to try grooming them myself. In doing so, I fell in love with trying to make them look as adorable as possible. The rest was history. I quickly finished my schooling to become a groomer and immediately knew I wanted to open my own salon so I could ensure it was welcoming and somewhere dog owners felt safe to bring their babies.

What should our readers know about your business?
Chixie began out of a heartbreaking door closing, but just as they say, when one door closes, another one opens! Chixie was the perfect open door! I am so proud of the team we are building, the relationships we’ve made with our customers and the growth we’ve seen while maintaining that personal feel. Our groomers are the best of the best at what they do and I’m so proud of how far they’ve come and how much we’ve learned together. Our staff truly love the dogs we have the pleasure of working with and it shows! Running this business has had it’s struggles, especially when scaling or adding services. I’ve learned mostly to trust my instincts when going through a struggle. When looking to hire or expand, trusting my instincts on people’s true intentions is the most valuable asset.

Chixie is unlike any other! We are a team of animal lovers that always put the dog’s best interest first.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am SO thankful for all of my customers! They have been incredible throughout this journey. And ultimately, I know without Jesus and my faith in Him, none of this would’ve been made possible. So grateful for this life I get to live!

Website: www.chixiegrooming.com

Instagram: instagram.com/chixiegrooming

Facebook: facebook.com/chixiegrooming

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/chixie-spring

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutHTX is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.