THE PINK POODLE

Tuesday, june 10, 2008..

By Sarah Otero

 Walking into the Pink Poodle Salon, the first thing that will strike you is that pink is every- where from tha facade of the building to the walls of the interior which gives the place an invitting and friendly appeal.

 The next thing that is likely to grab your attention in the unlikely trio working inside Amanda,  and Sylvia-all friends and competitors.

  That's right, these three women all strong minded all independent business  owners, and the three best dog groomers in Homestead- have come together under one roof maintaining their independence while helping each other out whenever it is necessary.

  It is hard to imagine three of the area's best coming together and it is even more bizarre to see how these women help each other, encourage each other and really want each other to suceed.

  The set up they admit is a bit peculiar, three women three separate businesses in the same building. They describe it like Ebay, where everyone has a different store or like a doctor's office where multiple doctors practice separately but in one office.

  Sylvia, the original owner of the salon, owner of the Pink Poodle and the most outspoken of the group explained their decision to come together. "Necessity brought us together and three of us together can provide  a service here in Homestead that is needed and wanted"

  Finances where a big concern for the three expert groomers, but now sharing a building they share the overhead splitting their rent, insurance, and water. While spliting bills is one thing, it is hard to imagine that these three competitors could remain friends while splitting their customers.

  Yet, they do exactly that they typically work by appointments, as each groomer does about one dog an hour and they split the walk-ins among them. Mollie works in the green spa room, Amanda in the purple room and Sylvia, she is the pink room.

  They all have impeccable track records, you won't pick up your dog with any cuts or nicks from this salon. They are experts with scissors and work hard to keep their injuries at zero.

  Even more importantly, in case of a puppy or dog emergency Amanda, Mollie and Sylvia have all worked with animal hospitals and are trained in CPR and heart emergencies.

  Besides that assurance of knowing that your best friend is safe, the ladies have created a luxurious salon for the pets akin to the ones us humans frequent.

  Typically, groomers have everything in one room-a noisy, humid room that when the phone rings you can hear the hair dryer blowing in the background.

  What Sylvia, Mollie and Amanda offer is a bit different, they offer one on one service so that the dogs can have a much happier experience. Their clients love the salon so much, that the dogs come running in- no nervous barking and no cries of 'get me out of here'.

  The three Homestead natives- all have lived in the city since before Hurricane Andrew- love what they do and have a strong commintment to making sure that the animals they see come happy and leave happy and perfectly groomed.

  Mollie, Amanda and Sylvia all have standard prices.  You can visit them on the web at                                                     www.pinkpoodlesalon.com

   Sylvia and the Pink Poodle at 305-247-PETS(7387) and Amanda at Amandas Place  305-302-0621