Melanie Campbell’s Just The Snip Pet Shop & Grooming is a haven for pets and their owners alike. Located in Rockwood, the business offers a full-service retail pet store in the front, stocked with food, accessories, and supplies for cats, dogs, small animals, and reptiles. In the back of the shop is Melanie’s dog grooming salon, which operates on a unique “one household at a time” basis to ensure a calm and stress-free grooming experience for every dog.
“It can be a lot for a dog. Not every dog loves the process. The last thing I want is for a dog to leave feeling upset or traumatized,” Melanie explains. “Your pet should feel like they’re at home.” This philosophy is at the heart of her business, which has been serving the community since November 2021.
Melanie’s journey to entrepreneurship was driven by her love for animals and a desire to create something meaningful. After working in a hectic environment in 2019, she decided to pursue a career as a dog groomer. While the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily delayed her plans, Melanie used the time to sharpen her skills through training videos and practice.
In 2021, after the passing of her father—a lifelong entrepreneur—Melanie saw an opportunity to take over a pet store location that had been in Rockwood for 20 years. “It felt like a sign to take the leap and make my father proud,” she shares. With a background in animal care, including experience as an exotic animal handler for a therapeutic rescue association, Melanie had the knowledge and passion to create a unique business.
When Melanie decided to open Just The Snip, she sought advice from the Business Centre of Guelph-Wellington. A quick Google search led her to connect with a business advisor who provided invaluable guidance on funding, grants, and resources. Over time, the Business Centre remained a trusted resource, and in the fall, Melanie applied to the Starter Company+ Program on a whim.
Through the program, Melanie gained insights and access to tools that she had never considered before. An AI workshop, for instance, helped her feel more comfortable using AI to enhance her social media marketing efforts. Additionally, having a mentor with extensive retail experience provided her with strategic advice to overcome challenges specific to her small-town business.
Running a pet shop and grooming salon in a small town comes with its own set of hurdles. For Melanie, the primary challenges have been competing with another local pet shop and grooming salon, as well as online giants like Chewy and Amazon. The Starter Company+ Program gave her the tools to strategize effectively, from updating her marketing to exploring e-commerce opportunities and refreshing her physical store to attract more customers.
Melanie’s experience in the program has left her with some significant lessons. She has learned the importance of “taking off the blinders” to observe what competitors are doing and to build stronger relationships within her community. Additionally, she’s recognized the need to have more confidence in selling herself as the face of her business. “Being in the know about what is happening around me has been a huge takeaway,” she reflects.
“I will not hurt a dog to please an owner,” is a principle written on the walls of Melanie’s shop. Her commitment to treating every pet as if they were her own is what sets Just The Snip apart. “This business is who I am. I’ve worked hard to create a safe and honest environment for pet families in our community,” she emphasizes.
For Melanie, the Starter Company+ Program has been a pivotal step in her entrepreneurial journey, giving her the knowledge, tools, and confidence to not only overcome challenges but also thrive in a competitive market. If you’re looking for a compassionate, knowledgeable pet care professional, Just The Snip Pet Shop & Grooming is the place to go.
