BY CHERYL WELLS
This project was such a fun one for us because it was actually one of the first businesses that we came alongside of that started Red Shed Enterprises. Twelve years ago, after Mike had built some big sheds that he was using for several things for some hobbies of his, and a big space that we built for our family to have events like Christmas or Thanksgiving, he had the idea to allow some big and small businesses to lease space. When I interviewed these two ladies about their journey, they told me about a funny conversation with Mike one day that led to them opening their own business in the Red Shed Complex about 12 years ago. The initial space was around 5000 square feet but now they are at about 9000.
I spent a fun morning visiting with both of the owners of Tail Trends Dog Grooming and Willow Lodge Pet Resort in Le Mars to learn their story. Tricia Roepke was born and raised in Northwest Iowa and is married to Darin Roepke. Darin is her greatest supporter and can fix or build whatever she needs. She said that it has been super scary to open her own business and a beautiful surprise how well it has gone! Tricia and Darin have two children and three cute fur babies, two pictured here that I got to meet while I was there, and one cat named Johnny. Cleo is a Doodle and Rizzo is a Boston Terrier. Tricia started grooming dogs a long time ago when her dad was breeding dogs, and she would groom them for him. After that she started working for Dr. John Conley as a Vet. Assistant and did some dog grooming, which turned into her own grooming business there called Tail Trends. Tricia was there until the day that she saw my husband Mike and began to ask about a shed that we owned that had a “for rent” sign she had seen. Mike’s answer was that it was an available space and that she would be his next renter! And so, it happened.
Tricia Roepke with Rizzo and Cleo.
Tricia is an animal lover and always has been, but especially loves to make them beautiful. She laughed as she told me about how each dog that she grooms has a strut that they do when they are finished. She said that the most rewarding part of it for her is that as someone who is allowed to provide a very important service, she gets to enjoy each dog, and they are like their own little people with personalities. She has learned over time how to make each one comfortable, even though some do not like it. They are now her favorites to work with. It’s a trusting relationship with the dog and the owner and she knows that each pet is a beloved member of the family, so that is huge to her. She absolutely loves what she does, and it is so evident. She said that Tail Trends has been a huge success over the years and now with all the new space that is completed, she has 3 full time groomers with space for 1 more. Over a year ago Tricia and Shawn, her business partner, decided that they needed more space and had some fun ideas about what that might look like.
Shawn Schiefen is the owner of Willow Lodge Pet Resort, and she has been sharing a building with Tricia for the last 12 years. Shawn and Tricia met way back at Dr. Conley’s Vet Clinic where they worked together. Shawn worked at the clinic for 3 years after leaving her employment at Wells’ Enterprises after 15 years. Her love for animals goes way back to being a grade schooler who always checked out all of the dog breed books. She followed that passion and got an animal science degree with plans of being a vet. Life happened and she ended up at Wells’ out of a need for a good paying job at the time and good insurance. Shawn left the vet clinic to open her own business partnering with Tricia. Shawn is married to Matt Schiefen who has been employed at Wells for 29 years and they have 4 children and 5 dogs! I saw her love for the animals at her pet resort as she walked me through and told me the names of every one of them and a bit of a story about each.
Shawn Schiefen with three of her five dogs, Leon, Saoirse, and Odin.
As we walked through each area, I was amazed at all the spaces that the dogs have to play, run, and rest; they even have three themed enrichment rooms for the day camp. It is super clean and smells good, as well as it is just so well done and thought out. It is newly reconstructed space, and some brand-new space where your doggie can play in a doggie water park! Your dog can surely be a pampered pooch at Willow Lodge and Tail Trends. Shawn employs 11 people and there are many different kinds of services. Of course, there is boarding for your pet as well as Day Camp with so many things for them to do all day. They specialize in making the experience for your pet fit what their needs and desires are, even according to the age of your pet. They never have more than 15 dogs together at once and they are staffed appropriately so that they get loving care. They have certified training for puppies available and they do a Manners Camp for a whole week from 7:30 to 5:00 p.m. Shawn has a partnership with someone that comes in and does behavioral and levels-based training. There is a lot going on there and it is impressive. What a beautiful space with beautiful people that you and your beloved pet will love. Shawn said that you can feel safe to leave your pet and they will be treated like her own!
I love these new spaces, and everything is so warm and inviting, as you can see from the pictures. Both businesses have a Facebook page, and you can call to set up a time for your pet to be pampered here!
For More Information:
Tail Trends Dog Grooming
Phone Number: 712-546-7318
Click Here to visit Tail Trends Dog Grooming’s facebook page.
For More Information:
Willow Lodge Pet Resort
Phone Number: 712-548-4601
Click Here to visit Willow Lodge Pet Resort’s facebook page.
Click Here to visit Willow Lodge Pet Resort’s website.
