Hip Pooch
Crystal Bennett is the owner of Hip Pooch, a dog grooming and dog lifestyle shop, offering one-on-one dog grooming, and self-serve dog wash. Appropriately situated in the heart of trendy Corydon Village. Bennett opened the boutique in 2006, imagining a shop that she’d want for her own dogs Metro the Pomeranian, Suki the English Bulldog, Samo the English Bulldog/Shar-pei cross, and now Manny, a French bulldog. The boutique looks like the kind of chic day spa that a human wouldn’t mind spending time in, along with a hand-picked retail section. But when Crysal started the business the focus was on the retail section which sells designer collars and leashes, Canadian-made treats, and quality dog food. Bennett sits down with The Local Frequency to tell us how Hip Pooch has evolved.
Q: When did you open the store?
A: We opened our doors July 15th, 2006
Q: What made you want to start up a business for dogs?
A: I always wanted to open up my own store but never thought it would be a dog store. It could have been a clothing store as I had always worked in retail in small independent stores.
Q: Can you tell me a little more about what were you doing before Hip Pooch?
A: I went to Blanche MacDonald, a fashion school in Vancouver and when I moved back I worked in a small local clothing store for almost two years. I opened the shop a few years later.
Q: Tell us about the name Hip Pooch
A: Honestly, I can’t remember why I named it that or where I got the idea. It’s been way too long! I was probably looking to have some sort of dog reference in the name.
Q: What’s a good motivator for you as a shop owner?
A: Just to make sure I can provide amazing grooming services for my customers. When they are happy and they tell other people that they loved the job one of my groomers did then I know I am doing something right. Word of mouth is priceless!
Q: What are is one of the biggest challenges of owning a business like Hip Pooch?
A: Making everyone happy is difficult, but when you make it happen it can be one of the biggest rewards of owning a business.
Q: What’s on the horizon for your business?
A: Nothing in particular. I kind of decide on the spot if something is going to change and that might be because something triggered it. Even though I am a planner I don’t have anything “planned” for the future. We are a different Hip Pooch then we were in 2012 when we just sold products and had no grooming. We are pretty much the opposite now. I would say I just make changes as the world around me does.
Q: For someone starting out what’s the best advice you can give?
A: For anyone wanting to open their own business, just do your own thing. Yes, of course you will get “ideas” from other similar stores but don’t copy them. If you see someone else’s business being successful it doesn’t mean yours will be. You need to be passionate about what you are selling, then it is a lot easier to sell what you are doing. The first year may be tough but it gets easier!
Photos by Kristhine Guerrero
