This is what you might call a tale of two businesses. One of the newest businesses to open in Tucker, Soap Doggy Dog, promises to literally bring a pooch-pampering experience to your door.
“People have busy lives, and because we come to them, that saves time and gas money, which we all know is at premium prices these days,” said owner Kim Briscoe. Her mobile grooming trailer is a fully contained dog bathing and grooming service on wheels.
The other business is Swept Away Cleaning and Janitorial, whose co-owner Starlene Kirkland passed away in 2022 at the age of 54.
The two businesses are officed next door to one another on Hanfred Lane. There exist many versions of the quote “There’s no such thing as a coincidence,” but they all have similar meanings. Basically, everything that happens is the result of a calculated move that leads us to where we are. Briscoe’s and Kirkland’s offices being next door to one another is no coincidence either. The two women shared a friendship, mentor-mentee relationship, and an entrepreneurial spirit that propelled them each to launch and run successful business ventures. “The loss of Starlene is doubly hard for me because she was my mentor,” said Briscoe. “She had been working with me for about six months before her passing and is the reason that I was able to lease my space.”
The phrase “circle of life” as defined by Collins Dictionary represents the infinite nature of energy; if something dies, it gives new life to another. Kirkland was featured in the May 2021 issue of InTucker magazine talking about the impacts of COVID-19 on her home cleaning business. “Business was down 50 percent in April of 2020,” said Kirkland. “People were afraid to have us come and clean. They just didn’t feel comfortable having people other than immediate family inside their homes,” But she would not be defeated. She took it upon herself to watch marketing videos on YouTube and to step up her PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) game and cleaning protocols, thus pivoting her business to stay afloat.
Briscoe’s journey through the pandemic was also negative in the beginning. “I was laid-off from my corporate job of 12 years,” said Briscoe. She needed an income. “My next-door neighbor told me about a part-time dog bathing job at FurBusters located in downtown Tucker. I took the job and immediately realized that dog grooming was my new passion!” Yet another connection between the two, both cleaning businesses one for dogs and one for homes. To stumble upon the connections between these two ladies was serendipitous.
Briscoe said about three years ago, when she fell in love with her then 12-week old standard poodle named Yoshi, “around week 16, he was so fluffy, I couldn’t see his eyes!”
“I failed to read the small print,” she added. “Poodles are one of the highest maintenance breeds to own!” But she was already smitten. “I had little experience with serious dog grooming, I quickly learned via OTD (On-The-Dog) training! After a few bad hair days, several Grooming for Dummies books, and tons of YouTube videos, I perfected the poodle cut!”
Flash back to how Kirkland’s business was impacted by the pandemic, but as her own boss, she had the responsibility, determintion and accountability to herself and her employees to keep the business solvent.
“The idea to go mobile came to me when the whole world shut down and closed its doors,” said Briscoe. “People were hesitant to leave their homes and masks were required everywhere.” She reflected that Soap Doggy Dog seemed like a perfect fit at the perfect time. “Little to no human contact, bring your dog to the door on a 6-foot leash, and we take care of things from there. It’s been a wet and woolly ride, but over 1,000 dog grooms later, I’m still waggin!”
Briscoe says she’s excited to be back in Tucker now with her own business. “I just get a welcoming vibe from the people I’ve met here.” Tucker is her second office location. “Business is great which has allowed us to grow and expand.”
The circle of life continues. Kirkland’s business legacy is being carried on by her business partner and, suffice it to say, her entrepreneurial spirit is being carried on through Briscoe and the birth of her dream business. “She was a huge advocate for me, she was a savvy businesswoman, and a good person, I miss her,” said Briscoe.”
Soap Doggy Dog services a 10-mile radius of the 30084 zip code. Appointments and inquiries can be made on the website: soapdoggydog.com
