Bark ‘N Bubbles celebrates first year in business

March 2010, in the midst of the worst economic conditions since the Great Depression, businesses shuttering windows all over Leesburg, might not have seemed like the best time to open a new business.

So Sandi Cox opened Bark ‘N Bubbles (“Premier Self-Service Dog Wash”) in the Bellewood Commons shopping center, just behind Red, Hot & Blue on East Market St.

It has been (pun intedned) a howling success. Sandi, her co-owner and husband Ornan Duane Whetzel, twin sister Candaye and groomer Jessica Johnston threw a birthday party for the fledgling enterprise March 5 to celebrate a year of steadily growing success.

Bark ‘N Bubbles offers “You Wash” and “We Wash” options for dog owners – and the price for having Cox do all the work is pretty minimal:  In the midst of the birthday party Mugsy the cockapoo was getting a thorough shampoo that cost $21. Had the owner come in and washed Mugsy himself, the cost would have been $30 for the “Bare Bones” basic option --  and the shop supplies the shampoo, rinse, combs, brushes tubs, water, all-natural spritzer, blow dryer and towels.

The top of the line service for the same dog, anywhere from 11 pounds to 70 pounds, is $55 and includes choice of shampoo, blueberry facial, brushout, ear cleaning, paw treatment and nail trim (clippers or Dremel).

Cox also offers tooth cleaning. If Mugsy’s teeth are reasonably plaque-free, which might require a trip to the vet for thorough scaling under light anesthesia, Cox will go to work with a water pick, irrigate the gum line, get off as much plaque as possible, brush off the loosened residue, and then apply dental foam. That’s a $10 charge and she promises “no more stinky breath.”

Her tubs are waist high – no more bending over the tub at home – and are rated to accommodate a dog up to 300 pounds.

Financing and establishing her own business definitely took her out of her comfort zone, Cox said.

She’d been in the printing business since 1993 and “really didn’t know anything else. But our love for dogs and our passion to be in this environment totally took over.”

A year later, she says she wouldn’t change a thing. She is her own boss, loves what she is doing and business has increased every month since Bark ‘N Bubbles opened.

It’s a win-win, Cox said. “Everybody wants to take care of their dogs, and this is an affordable way to do it – come in, bond with your dog, have a great experience and save some money. Or leave the dog and for not very much more money, go do errands or shopping and come back to a clean pup.”

An added benefit is that she can love a hundred or more dogs, get to know Akitas and Labs and Newfies and Bernese but keep the dog population in her Sterling home holding at six (all but one a rescue).

Cox and her crew host doggy birthday parties and plan to add a pet taxi service which will pick the dog up at the owner’s home, take it for some exercise, bring it to the shop for bathing and grooming, and return the pet to its home. Sort of a doggy day spa.

And she plans to open her doors for breed meet-up groups. “They can come in and hang out for an hour or two and have a meet up.”

And she and Duane get to indulge their passion for helping dog rescue efforts in the area. They have already hosted a charity wash day for the local pit bull rescue group – the group’s volunteers came and did all the washing and drying, using Cox’s supplies and the shop, and customers got a “We Wash” for the “You Wash” price. Half the proceeds of the day went to the rescue club. Another charity wash day is on the schedule for the West Highland White rescue club.

A class of autistic children brought their therapy golden retriever, from Paws For People, and washed him. Free.

Look for Bark ‘N Bubbles Franchise March 18-20 at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly for the Pet Expo.

Dani Weng and Pam Ahart started a self-service grooming shop in Ashburn in 2006 and added a second in Herndon in 2007. That led to franchising the business model, and since then franchisees have open in Fairfax and most recently in Leesburg. More franchise opportunities are available and Bark ‘N Bubbles Franchise LLC will provide training and guidance to meet the operation’s standards.

Bark ‘N Bubbles Dog Wash in Leesburg is at 545 East Market St., Suite F.  “You Wash” is on a walk-in basis. For “We Wash” and grooming (priced by the breed), call for an appointment, 703-777-20176. E-mail Cox at sandi@barknbubblesdogwash.com, or visit www.barknbubblesdogwash.com/leesburg for news of upcoming events and special promotions.