Another Torontonian here!

Hi all!

I'm from Toronto too! Was born & raised in Montreal, but moved to Ontario in '04... I LOVE it here!

I'm in the process of starting my own business. I should be ready to open in a few short weeks! I live with my husband of 2 years, my dog, 2 cats, and a tankful of fish (anyone want a tankful of fish? )

I already know someone on this board, but I'm not going to say who... I'll let the mystery unfold by itself!

Welcome and good luck with your new shop!

Thank you! It's both exciting and scary at the same time!

One more little detail I forgot to mention... there will soon be the pitter-patter of little feet joining our household, and no, they're not covered in hair... I'm expecting my first child, a son! He's reached the kicking stage, so I'm spending my post-dinner evenings watching my belly bounce!

Welcome, how exciting for you, new shop and little one!!!! I had my first 18 months ago, she is WILD!!! Very Busy little girl.

Thanks! How long did you wait after your daughter was born before going back to grooming? How was the return to work after she was born? Were you able to jump right back into it full force, or did you start slow and build back up? My main worry is that by the time the shop is ready to go, I'll have to go on mat. leave, and even though both my husband and I work from home, it might be a bit awkward for us to work and raise a child at the same time?

I left work in July, due in sept, she was sitting low and was there was way too much pressure down there for me to stand, I had her in sept, i came back at christmas to help as much as i could(whenever my sister was available to babysit really), then was back at work in february. I started back at 3 days a week. Found an awesome babysitter who is close to home, so if there was a problem my husband could go get her (he's self employed as well). When i worked those 3 days two of them i worked late, from 8:30 till about 9 at night to make up for the extra dogs, not all the time but sometimes. Then when summer started i went to 4 days a week, mon/tues/thurs/fri and thats what i still do. I'm quite happy with that, she seems ok too. I wish i could work another day, but i hate the thought of it and right now i'm happy with what i do.

When i went on mat leave, i paid one of my groomers extra to run my shop, i gave her a guaranteed amount every week and that seemed to work well.

Will you have another groomer with you in the shop? Fortunately i did, before i had peyton, i had owned the shop for 3 years, so i was already established with employees. I think opening the shop then closing down right away with irritate your clients unless you can time it that you do them before you have the baby then again in 6 weeks. I'm sure if you have a normal delivery that would be fine, if its csection that might not be attainable depending on how it goes. I had a csection and there was no way i could have groomed in 6 weeks.

Goodluck!!!

lol...Im not at that point yet (babies)...but I was raised in the shop....and the last three of us were BORN practically IN the shop (if she had her way lol)....my Mom I guess is "old school"...groomed up until the day she went into labour and was back within a week.....babies in tow(built a room in the back)...congrats on the little one......and the new shop.....

welcome, and congrats on everything! my best friend is pregnant now and is enjoying watching her belly bounce around too