Today we’d like to introduce you to Tara Evangelist.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Tara. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
In a world where dreamers and believers are transformed into heavenly creatures, men and women gleefully rejoice when they are told their professional services and efforts are no longer necessary at their place of employment, effective immediately. Instead of dwelling on where they will receive their next paycheck or figure out how long they will be able to afford COBRA, they maniacally fist pump when cashing out their 401K plan because they just know deep down, it’s going to be all puppies and rainbows from here on out!
For me personally, it has been puppies all day, every day since 2012 with the occasional rainbow here and there. I am beyond fortunate to have an amazing support system of family and friends. They kept their skepticism and teasing to a minimum when they asked the “what next question” and I said, I’m going to be a dog groomer and open my own shop because I want my beloved beast of a lab, Mickey to be able to come to work with me.
I enrolled in a dog grooming academy, received my grooming certification and diploma and then went to work at a couple of grooming shops and a daycare/boarding kennel facility. It became apparent to me during my training and working, I needed to open up my own shop as soon as possible… and here we are, 5+years later.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
This question gives me all the giggles!
I bit off more than I could chew due to my enthusiasm to change the pet groom game. For starters, I graduated from grooming school in April of 2012 and The Temple & Meow Lounge was open for business on October 20th 2012.
Here’s my laundry list of shortcomings:
OBSTACLE OF THE PAST: I had one real, viable client when I opened up shop. I worked for 5 months and didn’t have any client loyalty. For all grooming newbs, it’d probably behoove you to have more than 1 client before branching out on your own unless you’re really into ramen and american cheese slices… that diet consists of way too much sodium.
CURRENT OBSTACLE: Social Media… #erhmahgerd!
Legit question – How does anyone keep up with all the Insta this, tote my Tweet, Snap on that? Social media is pretty much a full-time job when trying to keep all platforms current with relevant content. Thankfully, I work among the most talented grooming millennials and they get excited to pose, post and pop. Jokes on them though, they’re doing more work and they don’t even know it.
CONSTANT CHALLENGE: There’s a real learning curve establishing personal/professional boundaries when operating a business. I constantly struggle with wanting everyone to like me/us, but that’s impossible to achieve unless you’re Will Smith. Sometimes, you just have to throw your hands up and say, “Sweet baby Jesus, take the wheel… I just can’t, right now.”
RE-OCCURRING CHALLENGE: Time management… there are weeks straight, months and months in which our groom times are on point. We deliver within our estimated time frame, and then out of no where it feels like we’re recreating the grooming schedule wheel again. It is always a challenge creating a schedule when working with all kinds of breeds and different temperaments…but that’s our thing, that’s what we really enjoy!
So, has it been a smooth road? No. It’s been real, it’s been fun… but, has it been real fun? Yes.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Temple of the Dog & Meow Lounge story. Tell us more about the business.
Would it be tasteless of me to refer to our website, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Yelp and Google at this time?
Per the obstacle/challenge question, it’d be counterproductive to respond with all our social media campaign and outreach efforts. I’m really trying to be more goal oriented in 2018.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
My name is of Irish origin and like I said, I’ve seen my fair share of rainbows!
Luck runs deep! How else can I explain this blessed life in which I am able to support my family doing something I love and am passionate about… all the while, being in the company of the most talented certified groomers and support staff. P.S. They’re funny AF too… these women are comedic gold!
As of recent, I had to say goodbye to my ride or die bish, Rachel Giles who had been with me since the get-go so essentially, 5 years. She managed the shit out of The Temple and helped it grow to what it is today. Basically, all my whims (and there were many), she helped make a reality. Upon her departure back to Manteno, Illinois she ensured The Temple would be in good hands… Autumn Reynolds’s hands.
Autumn is our newest addition and got us through our busiest time of year, Holidays 2018. She seamlessly transitioned and worked 12 hour days with us for 11 days straight, after only 5 days of training at our shop. To boot, she also has a strong background as a vet tech and worked at Animal Dermatology. I mean that’s totally the planets aligning with a heaping side of luck.
AND, the universe has provided Jessica Villa… praise be, there is a JESSICA! She is legit, my broth to my chicken noodle. She is the best grooming salon manager that ever was… and holy guacamole, she is an amazing groomer! All those fancy poodle cuts and wiggling Corgi peach butts are all her. Seriously, her grooms go viral, y’all but she never gets the credit.
Over the last 3 years, it’s become evident The Temple means as much to Jessica as it does to me so when it came time to finding a quality groomer to join our team, she had some opinions (Nyleen, Jess’s best friend for-ever EVAH).
Nyleen Molina is a Queen Bee… she won’t cop to it, but she is. She is a force to reckon with. She has over 10 years of professional grooming experience under her belt, so she knows her stuff inside and out. She’s also just that kind of person that when things have gone all Lord of the Flies, you want her by your side. She’s an ultimate bad-ass and I love her. I tell her all the time, but I don’t think she believes it. Maybe now, that it’s in print she will reconsider. I thank the moon and stars for her.
So my luck is HUGE… I know I’m lucky. I’m unabashedly lucky! Just talking about each of them gets me all kinds of emo because I know for a fact, this set-up with these fierce women and their dynamic can never be replicated.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2344 N Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647 - Website: templeofthedogchicago.com
- Phone: 773.698.6508
- Email: templeofthedog2344@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/templeofthedogmeowlounge/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/templeofthedogchicago/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/temple-of-the-dog-and-meow-lounge-chicago
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
