Esko girl opens home-based canine grooming enterprise - Cloquet Pine Journal

ESKO — When Nichole Jopke opened ‘Sota Pup Grooming in October, she mentioned it felt a bit like beginning over.

Jopke beforehand owned Ardour for Pets, a pet grooming enterprise in Hermantown. She offered the enterprise to certainly one of her workers in 2022 in anticipation of shifting to Farmington, Minnesota, along with her husband and kids.

Dax, an 8-month-old golden retriever, poses for an image after getting groomed at ‘Sota Pup Grooming on Monday, April 10.

Amy Arntson / Cloquet Pine Journal

The transfer did not occur, so she determined to observe by way of on what her long-term plan for Ardour for Pets would have been: She opened a smaller, home-based grooming enterprise, and that is how ‘Sota Pup Grooming was born.

“My final aim would have been to downsize that enterprise (Ardour for Pets) anyhow and work at home simply because my children are going to be beginning college and I needed to be extra accessible,” Jopke mentioned.

‘Sota Pup Grooming is positioned at 81 E. Stark Highway in Esko. Jopke and one worker work with purchasers Monday by way of Friday by appointment solely. They work solely with canines.

Since opening about six months in the past, Jopke mentioned enterprise has been regular.

“It’s been going very well. I truly bought fairly busy fairly shortly lots faster than I believed I might, which was good,” she mentioned.

Jopke has been grooming pets since 2001, when she labored at a pet boarding facility in Duluth. She owned Ardour for Pets from 2010 till she offered it in 2022.

After greater than 20 years grooming canines, Jopke mentioned she enjoys being with the animals.

“For me, I really like seeing the transformation from once they first are available to once they depart. It’s rewarding to see the change even of their character — typically they depart feeling like they know that they appear good,” she mentioned.
For a lot of canines, going to the groomer is a nerve-racking expertise, however Jopke mentioned she understands that, and tries to make the expertise as enjoyable as it may be. After canines are performed with their grooming appointment, she makes a degree to play with them in the event that they’re up for it.

A dog stands on a grooming table — Chester, a goldendoodle, poses throughout his grooming appointment Monday, April 10, at ‘Sota Pup Grooming whereas enterprise proprietor Nichole Jopke will get able to brush him.

Amanda Burcar-Annis, of Hermantown, has been bringing her canines to Jopke for grooming providers for about 5 years. Burcar-Annis first met Jopke at an occasion at Horses and Hooves Horsemanship Enviornment in Deer River.

The 2 have constructed a friendship over time, and Burcar-Annis mentioned she retains taking her canines to Jopke due to how comfy Jopke makes the canines really feel and the standard care they obtain.

“She actually loves the canines and you’ll inform that she actually loves them. Each time I come, they’re so excited to see her,” Burcar-Annis mentioned.

‘Sota Pup Grooming might add boarding providers sooner or later. Jopke mentioned these ought to watch the

‘Sota Pup Grooming Fb web page

for updates.