Pet grooming business puts safety, comfortability first for Longboat dogs

Fannie Bushin's toy poodle, Miles, hated going to groomers. She said the chaos and loudness of the environment made him and most dogs nervous. 

While working her corporate job, Bushin took it upon herself to learn to groom Miles. 

After her night pet-grooming classes, people started to notice how well-groomed Miles was. Soon, she found herself grooming others' pets in her neighborhood. 

Inspired by her father Howard's entrepreneurial skills, Bushin quit her job and started grooming dogs full-time. Her lifelong love for animals was married with her passion for creativity.

Now, she is Longboat Key's resident in-house dog groomer. 

Business Data

Line of business: Pet grooming

Owner: Fannie Bushin

Founded: 2021

Price range: $150 for a new dog’s first session

Phone: 941-315-8150

Website: FanniesPetGrooming.com

Personal

Birthplace: New York

Residence: Sarasota

Education: Parsons School for Design and Merryfield Pet Grooming Academy

Family: Mother Rose Mary Bushin, Grandmother Rosa Maria Portillo, Miles the toy poodle and cockatoos Eydie and Lydia

How long in this area: Since 2021

Career

First paying job: Publix on Longboat Key because she used to come with her family every summer.

Between then and now: “I was working in finance for a freight forwarding company in Miami. Not a dream job by any means. It was a typical desk job, but I'm not that kind of person.” 

How she came to the area: To spend time with her father, who was terminally ill. 

Claim to fame: “Word of mouth mostly but everyone also knows my car. I have a white Mini Cooper with my logo of a poodle on it. So many people will call out when they see it, ‘Hi, Fannie the Dog Groomer.’”

Interests/Passions

Favorite pastime: Taking walks on the beach with her dog Miles and Reading

Most recent read: “Untamed” by Glennon Doyle

Favorite television show: “Seinfeld”

Why Longboat Key: “The people are so nice, and everyone has such interesting stories. I love getting to know about their lives and what they were like before Longboat.”

Philosophy

Business philosophy: “Honestly, just to be safe. That is the most important thing when it comes to grooming. The dog comes first. It’s not just about a pretty haircut. It is also about hygiene for the dog and safety.”

Best business advice you can give: “I changed my whole life. So, if you have an idea, you have to go for it. That's what I told my mom after my dad passed away. She was so depressed and I said, 'Just pick something that you enjoy.' She enjoys being with pets like me, so now she dog-sits for my clients. You can literally do anything.”

Heroes: “My dad. He was entrepreneurial and loved to work for himself, and I also love to work for myself. He was very hard working and he loved animals. He used to bring home all sorts of pets, which was a great way to grow up.”

Current goal: “I have been working toward becoming a Nationally Certified Master Groomer. So, you compete in five practical grooming tests. I did three already. I have two more to go, and then there's a big written test at the end. I'm taking my time with it. I'm in no rush.”