Starting two businesses at the same time wasn’t the sensible option — it was the brave one.
Me and Chris took the leap together, both stepping away from stability and into something completely new. We spent countless evenings in our little office, sat for hours working through things we didn’t understand, supporting each other through every “what does this mean?!” and “I’m going to throw my laptop out the window!” moment.
Chris has always loved cars, so he decided to turn his hobby of cleaning ours into a business he’s genuinely passionate about, Back to Fresh. What started as him making our cars look spotless has grown into him detailing absolutely stunning, luxury cars. His ambitious goals, his high standards, and the pride he takes in every job has already earned him two awards, and I’m so proud of how far he’s come.
And for me, it was always dogs. I point out every single one when we’re out, just in case Chris or whoever I’m with didn’t notice it. I trained in a salon near my hometown, Cambridge, and got loads of hands‑on experience that boosted my confidence and knowledge massively. The last few years of my employed job were extremely hard both mentally and physically, but they gave me the experience and opportunity to open Bark & Bubble. I’ll forever be grateful for that.
Chris loved helping me set up my salon (with huge support from my brother‑in‑law), and I loved helping him shape the look and digital style of his business. We built everything from scratch, side‑by‑side, with Alfie and Mabel somewhere nearby, supervising as always.
Every dog who walks through my door is an absolute privilege. Being trusted with someone’s furry family member will never stop meaning the world to me.
Now, 18 months on, both our businesses are thriving. We’re happier, healthier, and doing work we genuinely love. Chris still pops in to meet some of the dogs when he’s not out on a job, and I get jealous of all the incredible cars he gets to detail.
It was scary. It was a huge risk. But it was absolutely worth it.