by Matt Marquardt –
MASON CITY – Lindsay Ralston has been grooming pets in Mason city for 7 years. With the closing of her former employer, Feathers N More, in June, she made the decision to become an entrepreneur.
Ralston, along with her husband, Chad Kliven, opened Mohawk Grooming and Boarding, located at 418 1st Street SW, on July 9th. In addition to grooming and boarding, Mohawk offers dog, cat and bird food as well as specialty animal foods.
Ralston (pictured, center, serving two customers) is taking her new business in stride.
“I’ve never owned a business before,” she said. However, she seems to know what it takes to be a success. “I’m working more hours than before, but I don’t mind.” She said her husband comes in when he gets off w
ork to help out. The pair got a good deal from their landlord, she said, and they were able to purchase cages at a good price from Feathers N More when it closed.
Also to her benefit, Ralston has brought many former customers from Feathers N More to her new business, and said that “we have a lot more new clients.”
She said the feeling of owning her own business is different from a regular job. “I feel like I’m not going to work now,” she said with a smile.
Mohawk Grooming and Boarding is open Monday through Friday 9 AM to 6 PM and Saturdays; 9 AM to 5 PM over other Saturday and then 9 AM to noon on opposite Saturdays.
I have been taking my dog to Feather’s and More the past few years. We rescued our dog and he has severe seperation anxiety. I had him groomed at a different place the first time and was disgusted at how they not only treated him but for all the knicks he had (he gets matted very easily) and I felt bad for him. I was nervous about taking my dog to Lindsay but have to say that I was presently surprised! He smelled good, looked good, and seemed happy and not scared! I have taken him back several times and am getting ready to make an appointment to take him back soon…he desperately needs it 🙂 I have nothing but GOOD things to say about her and her services! I hope she finds success and stays around for my sake 😉
Thanks Lindsay!!!
Lindsay has groomed our dog at Feathers n more for over 4 years and has done a good job & our little dog is not easy to work with. We took our dog to Mary K once, in this location and he got fleas, first and last time ever. I was sorry to see Feather’s n More close and I will continue to take my dog to Lindsay. Best of Luck!!!
I am proud of all my wife’s accomplishments. I love and respect her. Her dedication to this business is beyond most peoples dedication to there own jobs. She has passion for every animal that comes through the door. Most groomers wont give aggressive dogs a chance my wife treats them all the same, with total love and respect.
Thank you for all the support for my new business. Unfortunately all you people who HAVE nothing good to say should keep to themselves. I am trying to keep my business going and don’t need all the negative comments. If you have nothing nice to say then don’t say it. The neighbors around there have been nothing but nice and keep to themselves. If they were to steal my equipment it wont get them much of anything. Seriously is grooming equipment that valuable to trade for drugs? I highly doubt it. If you don’t know how to use the equipment it doesn’t do you much good. So please if you have nothing nice or positive to say about my new business then keep your mouth shut. I am doing very well in this location and all my previous clients are not afraid to drop their pets off with me there. The new clients do not have a problem either. PLEASE SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS AND THE VETERAN OWNER’S!!!!
Lindsay & Chad, People love to assume things they can’t explain, like a dog being tired out after a grooming session, and decide it must have been sedated. Of course no one called to ask YOU if that had happened, the story just gets spread around. Isn’t this a wonderful way for things to be handled? Believe me, it will get worse….. There is no end to the ridiculous things people will come up with. Stay strong and don’t let the bastards get you down. Best of luck with your new endeavor.
I certainly hope the best for her but no offense, I have seen her work and she needs more time to perfect her craft. She has never received any formal training and all the article in the Globe stated was that she had pets while she was young – well, who didn’t? I have family members who have gone to her and she is very good with their dog although he appeared to have been sedated when they picked him up which was not something they had approved, if in fact that happened. I hope she succeeds with her business and that she obtains the necessary training to be able to prove that she knows exactly what is expected of her.
I have had 7 years of training for the job I am doing. I am not trying to groom pets like they are trying to win a competition for an animal show. I am grooming them the way the owner wants; to make them feel more comfortable in the heat or just in general. I have no complaints from my clients. I would like to invite you in to my business to freely search for anything that may sedate a dog. If a dog gets any sedation it is given by a vet and the owners give it to them not me. I know that a pet must be carefully watched while under sedation and I am not able to do that. I am not sure why their dog appeared that way but I have never sedated a dog while I have groomed them.
I’m sure she worked extremely hard to get this business off the ground. If you want to write a review, do it on yelp or google. Dont leave a comment like this on her story. It is disrespectful and eliminates what little free advertising a new business owner can get in this town. Everyone is going to have a few unsatisfied customers, but this story is not the place to voice those concerns. If she needs to learn then give her a chance to learn without cutting her down from the start.
Beautifully said. Thank you.
The only person that can administer sedatives to an animal is a vet. I know Lindsay very well and she has the required training to be doing the job she does (and loves) so well. As a professional in the field I give Lindsay my support. As a resident in the north Iowa area I give Chad and Lindsay my thanks for bringing good business to a city that needs it!
No worries. . .my brother (owner) is a military man who can definately take care of himself and his business. And then there is his 100 pound German Shepard that thirsts and craves after drug dealer blood. . .
Way to go Lindsay. Best of luck to you.
Just in case you can’t find it, that building is not on the corner of 1st NW, try 3 blocks south on 2nd SW.
Weird! It looks just like the building on 1st St SW and South Monroe! What are the odds?
John, did you just visit the drug dealers next door to this place? If not, then you better have your eyes checked. This business is located at the corner of 1st ST SW and MONROE AVE. Matt does have the address WRONG…it’s NOT on 1st NW it’s SW!
Way to be supportive of a new local business. Bumbleberry Bakery started there & seemed to do fine.
… and you see how quickly they got the hell outta there!
They needed more room was the reason for their moving. I know them, so don’t try to say it was the neighborhood. I have met people in this area & I must say they are a lot nicer than the negative posters on here.
and yet another ignorant person. The bakery moved because their business grew and needed another building. It is always good when a business has to move because they have grown. Get your facts straight before you throw out your comments.
Congratulations Lindsay! I know you’re business is going to be a huge success! Couldn’t ask for a better groomer & pet person to have their own business! 🙂
Best of Luck on your new business.
Mason City needs more people like you. I wish you a lot of luck. You deserve it.