Local Women-Owned Business Spotlight✨ Neon Dragon: Not your average dog groomers!
Grooming with Heart: Meet the Women Creating a New Breed of Dog Salon at The Neon Dragon
I had the pleasure of working with Carly Oddison and Nikki Carruthers, the powerhouse duo behind The Neon Dragon Ltd. in Winnipeg. for our branding photo event!
These two brought such an amazing energy to our session, and it’s easy to see why their clients rave about them! With a combined 30+ years of experience in grooming, they’ve built a unique and welcoming space that puts both pets and people first. Carly, affectionately known as "The Doodle Queen," adds a creative touch to every groom, while Nikki’s extensive training and dedication to ethical practices shine through in everything they do.
The Neon Dragon is more than just a grooming salon; it’s a passion project born from their love of dogs and a desire to elevate the industry with compassion and quality. If you’re looking for a place where your furry friends are treated like royalty, this is it!
Best way to get in contact with your business + your location.
3075 ness ave 431-275-3564
You can find them on instagram here!
What's your origin story!? Who are you and why did you start your business? Becoming an entrepreneur is no easy feat and I love hearing about the passion and aha moments!
Carly Odidison and Nikki Carruthers, co-owners of The Neon Dragon Ltd. in Winnipeg, Manitoba, are both seasoned dog grooming professionals with over 3 decades of combined experience in the industry. Carly, known for her expertise in doodle haircuts, holds a CPPS certification and has been affectionately nicknamed "The Doodle Queen." She also brings a creative flair to the business with her background in graphic design.
Nikki, on the other hand, has traveled across North America to hone her grooming and management skills. She is a member of the Professional Pet Groomers Association of Manitoba (PPGAM) and holds certifications in both CPPS and Pet First Aid. Together, Carly and Nikki created The Neon Dragon to offer the dog community in Winnipeg a unique, interactive experience that combines luxury with exceptional attention to detail. Their business reflects their shared passion for dogs and their commitment to providing high-quality grooming services. Before finding her true passion, Nikki was a hairdresser for humans, perfecting her skills in styling and creativity.
Carly, on the other hand, worked in various jobs, searching for the right career path that would ignite her passion. Their journey together began 15 years ago when they met at another salon in Winnipeg. Since then, they have worked side by side at several large grooming locations in the city, combining their unique talents and experience to eventually establish The Neon Dragon
What's in a name? How did you come up with your business name!?
We wanted to stand out from the professional dog grooming crowd by having a completely unique name and branding. We wanted people to remember our name and think of us - and dragons are dope haha
What's your biggest challenge in your industry, the one thing you wish people knew?
The dog grooming industry is a field full of passion and creativity, where professionals dedicate themselves to the care and well-being of our beloved pets. We love what we do, from turning a scruffy dog into a well-groomed companion to ensuring each dog leaves our salon happier than when they came in. However, beneath the surface of this rewarding work, there are some dark secrets that often go unnoticed. Workplace abuse is an unfortunate reality in some grooming salons. High-pressure environments, unreasonable expectations, and mistreatment of staff can lead to burnout and a toxic workplace culture. Employees may feel undervalued, overworked, and unappreciated, which can affect the quality of care the dogs receive. Additionally, some businesses may cut corners on safety and hygiene to save costs, putting both employees and pets at risk.
We've also seen less-than-ideal business practices, such as neglecting proper training for staff, using subpar grooming products, and prioritizing profits over the well-being of the animals. These practices can lead to injuries, stress, and a negative experience for the dogs and their owners. These issues were part of what inspired us to start The Neon Dragon Ltd. We wanted to create a grooming studio that not only provided top-notch care for pets but also fostered a safe, supportive, and positive environment for our team.
Our mission is to set a new standard in the industry, where both pets and people are treated with the respect and care they deserve. At The Neon Dragon, we are committed to transparency, ethical practices, and creating a welcoming space where dogs can thrive and our team members feel valued. We believe that by prioritizing the well-being of our staff and the pets in our care, we can help to change the narrative and build a brighter future for the grooming industry
Describe your business in 3 words + now in 3 emoji's
Unique, compassionate, ethical 🐶🐲🫶🏻
What is your favorite part about your job?
The absolute favorite part of our job at The Neon Dragon is seeing the transformation in the dogs we groom. Watching a nervous or scruffy pup walk into our salon and leave looking and feeling their best is incredibly rewarding. We love building trust with each dog, turning what might be a stressful experience into something positive and enjoyable. There's nothing better than knowing we've made a difference in a dog's day, whether through a fresh cut, a relaxing bath, or simply providing them with a caring, gentle touch. Seeing the smiles on both the dogs' and their owners' faces is what makes this job so fulfilling.
What services do you provide? Which is your favorite one you think everyone should try?
We are most well known for our “doodle doo’s” and creative grooming. We groom all breeds, have a small dog ultra lounge, offer inn-home boarding for small dogs, and teach new groomers in our grooming academy.
Who is your ideal customer and what do they love about what you do?
Our ideal customer at The Neon Dragon is a pet parent who treats their dog like a true member of the family. They value quality care and are looking for a grooming experience where their dog’s comfort and safety are the top priorities. They appreciate attention to detail, personalized service, and understand the importance of regular grooming in keeping their pet healthy and happy. Whether it's for a stylish haircut, a luxurious bath, or a safe and engaging daycare experience, our ideal customer wants the best for their dog and is committed to providing them with the highest level of care.
Share a fun or heartwarming story about a customer experience or testimonial.
“My dog has been a long time client of the neon dragon since they first opened a couple of years ago both for their grooming and daycare services. Everytime, Nikki, Carly and the entire staff at the Neon Dragon has been exceptional and treat my dog like the princess she certainly was in a different life! My dog used to have really bad anxiety like many Covid puppies who did not get to socialize with other dogs. Since coming to the Neon Dragon she has come out of her shell, made new friends and absolutely loves coming there. I would highly encourage anyone to take their dog here for grooming and daycare services and spoil your dog!”
What's the most unexpected or quirky challenge you have had to deal with as a business owner and how did you handle it?
We had a customer actually come into the shop and threaten to physically harm us. The police had to be called and we thankfully have cameras that captured the entire thing 👻
What's your secret ingredient or method for making every client visit special or awesome?
Our secret to making each client experience personalized at The Neon Dragon lies in our attention to detail and genuine care for each pet. We take the time to understand each dog's unique needs, temperament, and preferences. By building trust with both the pets and their owners, we ensure a stress-free and enjoyable grooming experience. We also customize our services to match the specific requirements of each dog, from their grooming style to the products we use, ensuring they leave looking and feeling their best.
How do you give back or get involved in the community? Any causes you help support or bring awareness to?
We donate many grooms every month to various animal welfare organizations. We offer free grooming to a dozen different organizations- at no cost to them. We also donate auction prizes to various animal welfare groups all throughout the year.
Tell us do you ever host or participate in any events locally?
We host brushing workshops for clients who want to learn how to properly brush their dogs specific coat type. We host birthday parties for small dogs, which are quite extravagant! We have an annual hot dog party wjere we raise money for animal welfare organizations in need.
What's a recent achievement or milestone that makes you do a happy dance?
We received 3 awards in 3 categories for “best in Winnipeg” including best doggy daycare, best grooming shop, and best pet sitter in Winnipeg.
If you could have any superpower to help your business what would it be and why?
I would clone all of our wonderful staff and ourselves so we can be in multiple locations at once 🤣
Looking ahead; Any new or exciting projects/plans in the works for your business?
While we recently launched our grooming academy- we plan on opening a second location in winnipeg in the next few years!
Is there a fun fact or special details about your business that we absolutely need to know?
We really really love making reels about different challenges we face as groomers in the professional pet industry. One thing people really need to know about The Neon Dragon is that we are deeply committed to creating a safe, welcoming environment for both pets and their owners. We prioritize the well-being of every dog that walks through our doors, ensuring they receive personalized care and attention. Our team is highly skilled and genuinely passionate about what we do, which allows us to offer a grooming experience that’s not only high-quality but also stress-free and enjoyable for your furry family members.
