Today we’d like to introduce you to Nila Thompson.
Hi Nila, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I.ve always worked as a part of a sales team in corporate America. Always looking for the next sale. Very stressful but profitable work. One night, as I slept, I had a dream. In this dream, I walked into a laundromat, but people weren’t washing clothes, they were washing dogs. On one side there were large dogs being washed in shower stalls. On the other side little dogs were being washed in sinks, and down the middle families were toweling and brushing their dogs. The thing that I really noticed is that everyone was smiling!. The dogs were smiling, the children were smiling and the Moms and Dads were all smiling.
When I woke the next morning, this dream was locked in my head. I began to wonder if there was such a thing as a laundromat for dogs. I had two large dogs and knew how hard it is to wash them at home either with a hose in the backyard during the summer or in my walk-in shower during the colder months. Both had their challenges; both were exhausting and messy. I began to look into it. Nothing like it in Orlando, but California had them.
I continued my job going on sales presentations trying to close deals but in my mind I kept thinking about that dream. One day, I got really upset with the lack of appreciation for my hard work and decided to go open a Dog Wash. No one could believe what I was going to do. My family was confused by the idea of taking your dog somewhere to wash them but I reminded them that when they were young they washed their cars in the driveway. Now everyone goes to a car wash and I thought the same would be true with washing your dogs. Especially if I made it easy and convenient. So I took my 401 the equity in my house and my savings and opened Soapy’s Dog Wash. That was in 2008! I have survived recessions and Covid and Amazon. And its True, everyone at Soapy’s Dog Wash is smiling! The dogs pull their owners inside and the families are always so happy to have a fun way to get their dogs clean.
When I first opened, I only offered Self Service Dog Washing. Now we have staff to wash and groom for them. we have a playroom where dogs love to play or wait looking out the window for their parents to arrive. I’m surrounded by Love and Happy clients and have no regrets that I followed my dream that was inspired by God and opened a laundromat for dogs.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I was met with many challenges. Soon after I opened in 2008, we had a recession. At the time I was in a small shop and only offered Self Service where customers washed their own dogs. I was the only employee, so I managed through the recession. Soon, people started asking me to wash their dogs and I started helping those that would have a hard time on their own like seniors. Then people brought in dogs that were too matted to bathe and I told them their dogs needed to be shaved and they asked me to do it. I didn’t know how but I had to help these dogs and their owners so I learned. Soon, I hired a groomer to help me, and we began to offer grooming along with Self Service.
We also had to close for a couple months during Covid. I took this time to remodel the shop. I gave the shop a much needed make over. Perfect timing, we had to be closed and I got some federal money that helped me. When we reopened, my shop looked great and was ready for the next stage of our mission=to put smiles on the faces of our clients!
The biggest challenge we face is now. Since Covid prices have sky rocketed. The government is forcing us to raise our employees’ wages, The suppliers are demanding more money for their products probably because they have to pay their employees more wages, But through it all, people love their dogs and want people they can trust to care for them and they all love Soapy’s Dog Wash.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
We specialize in providing services for the care of dogs. A big responsibility! People love their dogs and hate leaving them for any reason. That’s why so many people love the Self-service side of our business. You don’t have to leave your dog. We provide many conveniences like walk in tubs for the big guys. We have spray on shampoos like the car wash. We will cut the nails for them and clean the ears and provide a host of other services to make caring for your dog’s needs so easy and professional.
Our groomers and bathers work in the same area has those washing their own dogs. This creates a comfortable atmosphere for those that need to leave their dogs for professional grooming. We specialize in a stress-free experience for our clients. Dogs are kept where everyone can see them not locked away in a back room, but right out front where everyone can see them. The dogs love watching all the busy customers and the customers love seeing all the smiling dogs.
we greet our clients by name, and their owners tell us how excited the dogs are to come to Soapy’s Dog Wash. It’s a great place. I’m very proud of my creation and of fulfilling God’s dream for me.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Happy clients Happy employees A Happy place to work and Everyone can afford their own bills
Pricing:
- Self Service starts at $12.00
- No appointments necessary for Self Service
- Open 7 Days a week
- Walk in Nail Trims $12.00
- we also have Non Sedation Teeth Cleaning
Contact Info:
- Website: https://SoapysDogWash.com
Image Credits
Property of Soapy’s Dog Wash
