Neither Monika nor Arjun are professional groomers, and they are upfront about that. But before signing a lease, they immersed themselves in research. The couple spent hours reading groomer forums, scrolling through Facebook groups and studying industry discussions to understand common workplace frustrations. They paid attention to what groomers were saying about long hours, unrealistic production demands, pressure to upsell retail and lack of owner support.

Interestingly, the location came before the fully formed business plan. The couple found a 1,750-square-foot space that felt right and began negotiating the lease while continuing to refine their concept. Even before officially signing, Arjun was teaching himself about plumbing requirements, electrical needs and water systems so they could manage buildout costs. Together, they assembled equipment, built out tubs and worked late nights preparing the space themselves.

From lease signing to opening day, the process moved quickly. They opened the retail side first, introducing themselves to the community and collecting grooming inquiries. Two weeks later, grooming services officially began. They had hired two groomers prior to opening, including Lisa, who would later become their grooming manager.

With more than 20 years of experience, Lisa became instrumental in shaping the salon’s grooming operations. While the couple focused on overall business structure and customer experience, Lisa helped establish workflow, equipment decisions and day-to-day grooming standards.

“She played a big role in helping us understand how things should be done,” Monika shares. “It really felt like a partnership.”

Today, The Modern Canine employs six groomers, and scheduling is handled collaboratively rather than dictated by quotas. The couple is clear that they did not want a numbers-driven environment.

For Monika, one of the most rewarding aspects isn’t simply a finished groom—it’s watching nervous dogs grow more confident.

“I love seeing when dogs start with us and they’re really anxious, then you see them get more comfortable with each visit.” she shares.

Because The Modern Canine also includes retail, balancing both sides of the business requires thoughtful boundaries. Monika describes it as running two related but distinct operations. One decision they made early on was not to pressure groomers into selling retail products. Having seen that model elsewhere, they wanted to keep responsibilities clear.

“The groomers are there to groom,” Monika stresses. “I don’t need them worrying about selling food or supplements.”

“We don’t push,” Arjun adds. “If someone walks out without buying anything, that’s fine. If it’s right for them, they’ll come back.”

Their marketing has followed that same organic philosophy. Arjun’s background in branding allowed them to build visibility before they even opened. They established social media accounts months in advance, engaged in local online groups and prioritized strong Google presence. Many of Monika’s former dog walking clients naturally transitioned into grooming customers. Even now, much of their growth comes from word-of-mouth referrals and online reviews.

After two and a half years, the couple is thinking ahead. A second location is a long-term goal, ideally within a short drive of their current shop. If they expand, they hope to incorporate everything they’ve learned about layout efficiency, workflow and space planning. But growth will only happen if they can maintain the culture they’ve worked intentionally to build.

There is often skepticism about non-groomers owning grooming salons, and Monika understands that perspective. Grooming is a skilled craft that requires training and respect; however, she believes ownership is defined by involvement and intention.

“There’s a misconception sometimes,” she explains. “Of course we’re not going to understand everything the way a groomer does. But we really try to go above and beyond to understand the day-to-day challenges.”

Both she and Arjun step in when needed, helping with prep work during busy periods or when someone calls out. They continue researching tools, shampoos and educational opportunities. For them, improvement is ongoing.

“I feel like you can never be at one hundred percent,” Arjun shares. “It’s always evolving.”

Ultimately, The Modern Canine exists because Monika and Arjun believed grooming could feel different—calmer for dogs, more collaborative for groomers and more personal for clients.

What began as a simple thought has evolved into a salon built on presence, partnership and a standard they hold themselves to every day: If they wouldn’t bring their own dogs there, they won’t expect anyone else to.