We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Denise McElhaney a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Denise, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

The Story of Denise’s Happy Hounds Dog Grooming

Denise’s Happy Hounds Dog Grooming began with one woman’s dream and a garage filled with love. In March 2020, armed with a single grooming table, one set of clippers, and a couple pairs of scissors, Denise opened her doors—well, her garage door—to a handful of loyal clients and their beloved pups. Word spread quickly. Before long, what started as a few regulars grew into a thriving community built on care, compassion, and connection.

From the beginning, Denise knew there was a better way to groom—a way centered around treating dogs, clients, and employees like family. She envisioned a warm, welcoming environment where every dog looked forward to their spa day, and every owner knew their pet was in loving hands. That vision became reality. Her dedication even caught the attention of a local veterinarian, who affectionately dubbed her “The Doodle Lady” for her expertise and care with doodle breeds.

After five years of hard work in her garage, Denise took a leap of faith and opened her storefront on May 9th, 2023, starting with over 350 active clients. Just two years later, by October 2025, Happy Hounds proudly serves more than 1,300 clients—a true testament to the heart behind the business.

Today, Denise’s Happy Hounds is so much more than a grooming salon. It’s a team of passionate professionals dedicated to learning, growing, and loving every dog that walks through the door. It’s also a proud community supporter—sponsoring local events like Cookies with Santa, hosting fundraisers, and founding the Happy Hounds Pet Pantry, which provides pet food and supplies to families in need.

Denise’s commitment to service extends beyond her business. She serves as an Ambassador for the Hernando Main Street Chamber, Chair of the Hospitality Committee for the DeSoto County Business Women Group, and continues to give back in countless ways. Happy Hounds has earned recognition along the way—winning 1st Place in DeSoto’s Best 2024, and being nominated for Business of the Year by chamber members.

Through it all, Denise remains in awe of what God has done. “Without Him, none of this would have been possible,” she says. “My greatest reward through this entire journey is simply being obedient.”

From one table in a garage to a beloved cornerstone of the community—Denise’s Happy Hounds Dog Grooming is proof that when faith, hard work, and heart come together, amazing things happen.

Denise, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I was feeling a bit stuck in my career and was looking for a change. I was introduced to dog grooming. And that is when my life changed completely. I was 58 when I trained at Petco and worked at several locations for over a year. Then went mobile, all the driving wasn’t for me. Then I worked at a vet clinic for a while, and there is where I perfected the matted shave downs. That is when I knew there had to be a better way!!

At Denise’s Happy Hounds, we offer a wide range of grooming services, from full-service grooming and bathing to specialty cuts, spa treatments, and add-on care options. But what truly sets us apart is our philosophy. We don’t rush the process or treat grooming like an assembly line. Every pet in our care is handled as if they were our own. We focus on positive experiences, gentle handling, and building trust with every dog who comes through our doors.

Our team is the heartbeat of this business. They’re not only talented but deeply compassionate. They share my passion for continuous learning, growing their skills, and always putting the wellbeing of the dogs first. I’m incredibly proud of the culture we’ve built—a place where both dogs and people genuinely love to be.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

What helped build my reputation in my community was staying true to my values—treating every dog, every client, and every team member like family. From the very beginning, I focused on doing what was right, not what was easiest. I took the time to get to know each dog’s personality, built trust with owners, and made sure everyone who walked through my doors felt welcome and cared for.

Word spread quickly because people could feel the difference. I wasn’t just grooming dogs—I was building relationships and creating a space filled with compassion, integrity, and joy. My clients saw how much I genuinely loved what I do, and they began referring friends, family, and neighbors. Before I knew it, my business was growing through word of mouth and trust, not advertising.

Being involved in the community also helped shape my reputation. I made it a point to give back—supporting local events, serving through the Hernando Main Street Chamber of Commerce and the DeSoto County Business Women Group, and founding the Happy Hounds Pet Pantry to help local families and their pets. People noticed that I cared about more than just my business—I cared about them.

Through faith, consistency, and a genuine love for both people and their pets, my reputation was built one relationship at a time.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I was bathing all the dogs in my bathtub, on my knees and in my sink for 2 years. I knew God had a plan and I wasn’t going to slow down. In 2022 I had a grooming tub installed in the garage and hired help. The Team I have now has taken a while to perfect, but they are absolutely amazing. They are a team that works together and truly has each other’s backs. And that has been my dream all along. We are still growing and facing challenges daily. But we face them as a team and make decisions as one as well. As I’ve said before being obedient is the greatest reward of all.

Contact Info:

• Website: www/deniseshappyhounds.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deniseshappyhounds
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/happyhoundsgroomingofhernando
• Youtube: @DenisesHappyHounds
• Other: Google – Denise’s Happy Hounds
  Linktree – linktr.ee/Deniseshappyhounds

Image Credits

Magnolia Grace Media
Denise McElhaney