Help Save Catonsville Dog Co.
Donation protected
In 2013, I embarked on a journey and began a life of a small business owner when I opened a grooming salon in Catonsville, Maryland. I was 23 and ready to risk everything for my dream. My younger sister, Lydia, and I had been grooming for years but had no idea what it would be like out on our own.
Seven years later, I can tell you what it's like.
Some days it's chaotic, constantly moving, days fly by you can barely keep up, sore backs, aching hands, but happy hearts. It's 12 hour days at the shop finishing laundry, paying bills, answering emails. It's the joy of making dogs feel loved and proud of themselves, it's the excitement of a little girl reunited with her freshly bathed best friend. It's loving your clients' dogs as you love your own, and loving your clients like family. It's laying awake at night worrying about payroll, taxes, navigating the small business world to the best of your ability, and sometimes it's heartbreak when your hard work isn't enough. But it's working towards something you've chosen for yourself, building a business on morals, holding yourself and your employees to higher standards. And at the end of the day, it's looking back and being satisfied with your place in the world.
I opened this GoFundMe account begrudgingly, stubbornly. I am so proud of my business and how far we have come, but there is no denying that we have suffered a devastating financial blow due to the COVID-19 epidemic. While I was ready and willing to do our part and help stop the spread in our community by closing, every day that goes by, we fall farther behind on bills. The longer we remain closed, the more likely it will be that we may lose clients. The future is so uncertain for all of us, but particularly for small businesses who have no way of planning for these things, no way of supporting themselves. We are currently awaiting approval for a small business grant, but when it arrives or how much will be provided is unknown.
Lydia, Chelsea, Becky and I are so anxious to get back to our dogs and clients, but it seems that day keeps getting further and further away. I am terrified of the day we cannot uphold the costs of keeping the business open, and telling my girls they have to find a job elsewhere. Which is why I am swallowing my pride, and humbly asking for your help.
Currently, our operating costs range between $3800-$4200/mo., not incuding payroll. I have made cuts to our expenses wherever possible, asked to push back deadlines, consulted my accountant for advice, even rolled coins to keep up with things. But we are frighteningly close to exhausting all funds, and we will be at the mercy of the unkown. There must be a way. There has to be.
I ask that you donate what you can. Consider what you may tip for a professional haircut, a safe environment, a loving groomer caring for your dog. I know we are all feeling the pinch as the economy is struggling across the country and I ask that you only give what you can afford. I want all of us to get through this in one piece, healthy and as financially secure as possible.
I would like to thank you in advance on behalf of myself, my business, my girls, my clients and the dogs we have come to love so much- you are appreciated beyond words. Hope to see you all soon. #smallbusinessrelief
Be well,
Blair Nagel
Owner, Catonsville Dog Co.
Seven years later, I can tell you what it's like.
Some days it's chaotic, constantly moving, days fly by you can barely keep up, sore backs, aching hands, but happy hearts. It's 12 hour days at the shop finishing laundry, paying bills, answering emails. It's the joy of making dogs feel loved and proud of themselves, it's the excitement of a little girl reunited with her freshly bathed best friend. It's loving your clients' dogs as you love your own, and loving your clients like family. It's laying awake at night worrying about payroll, taxes, navigating the small business world to the best of your ability, and sometimes it's heartbreak when your hard work isn't enough. But it's working towards something you've chosen for yourself, building a business on morals, holding yourself and your employees to higher standards. And at the end of the day, it's looking back and being satisfied with your place in the world.
I opened this GoFundMe account begrudgingly, stubbornly. I am so proud of my business and how far we have come, but there is no denying that we have suffered a devastating financial blow due to the COVID-19 epidemic. While I was ready and willing to do our part and help stop the spread in our community by closing, every day that goes by, we fall farther behind on bills. The longer we remain closed, the more likely it will be that we may lose clients. The future is so uncertain for all of us, but particularly for small businesses who have no way of planning for these things, no way of supporting themselves. We are currently awaiting approval for a small business grant, but when it arrives or how much will be provided is unknown.
Lydia, Chelsea, Becky and I are so anxious to get back to our dogs and clients, but it seems that day keeps getting further and further away. I am terrified of the day we cannot uphold the costs of keeping the business open, and telling my girls they have to find a job elsewhere. Which is why I am swallowing my pride, and humbly asking for your help.
Currently, our operating costs range between $3800-$4200/mo., not incuding payroll. I have made cuts to our expenses wherever possible, asked to push back deadlines, consulted my accountant for advice, even rolled coins to keep up with things. But we are frighteningly close to exhausting all funds, and we will be at the mercy of the unkown. There must be a way. There has to be.
I ask that you donate what you can. Consider what you may tip for a professional haircut, a safe environment, a loving groomer caring for your dog. I know we are all feeling the pinch as the economy is struggling across the country and I ask that you only give what you can afford. I want all of us to get through this in one piece, healthy and as financially secure as possible.
I would like to thank you in advance on behalf of myself, my business, my girls, my clients and the dogs we have come to love so much- you are appreciated beyond words. Hope to see you all soon. #smallbusinessrelief
Be well,
Blair Nagel
Owner, Catonsville Dog Co.
Organizer
Blair Nagel
Organizer
Catonsville, MD