Meet The Owner – What The Fluff Dog Grooming

Editor’s note: MyEverettNews.com is working to introduce our readers to more independent business owners here in Everett, Washington. We want to highlight their businesses, tell their stories and invite you to shop locally and help move Everett forward. If you know of a business we should feature, send us a suggestion via email: news@myeverettnews.com. Leland Dart – Publisher
 

After working as a dog groomer for more than a dozen years, and as a veterinary technician four and a half years, Devan Ray Santerre-Diaz decided he was in a position to take the plunge and open his own dog grooming salon.

“I had a big focus and was in a position with no loans or crazy debt,” Devan told us recently. “Over the years I’d gathered the tools and materials I needed so when the right spot opened, I was ready. I’ve been at this location in south Everett two years, two months.”

The space in a south Everett shopping center works for Devan on a couple of levels. First, it is right next door to the veterinary clinic where he used to work which creates a great synergy. Second, he and his husband live just five minutes away.

“I met my husband in the grooming world,” Devan explained. “He was a bather, and I was a groomer.” Devan says his husband is out of the animal care industry now but still stops in to lend a helping hand.

When you walk into What The Fluff Dog Grooming you may notice it is a bit calmer than other places that have dogs coming and going.

There are candles, music and a good amount of space between the kennels.

“Where many groomers will do six to ten dogs a day I take four or five dogs,” said Devan. “I prefer a slow, calm and steady approach that puts a little less stress on the dogs.”

He tells us he’s always been a big animal person but when he started as a groomer he discovered fairly quickly that he was not really a cat person. “I found out I’m better with dogs,” he said with a laugh.

I wondered what people who have never taken their dog to a groomer should know.

“You need to have vaccine records for your dog,” Devan told me. “Rabies is mandatory but more information is always helpful.”

Devan says it was a weird jump from grooming to being your own boss. “Scary jump, but I’m glad I did it.”

What The Fluff Dog Grooming is located in the Southpoint Plaza Shopping Center at 10121 Evergreen Way Suite 5 Everett, WA 98203.

They don’t take walk-ins and you have to have an appointment. You can call or text Devan anytime to make an appointment at (425) 903-1977.

You can see the salon and Devan’s work on his Instagram Page or on the Salon’s Facebook page.