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" Patrycia Miller, 32, Minneapolis, takes the mess (and stress) out of giving pups a bath at her booming business, Bubbly Paws.  THE CONCEPT This self-service doggie day spa has everything you need to groom your pet. EARNINGS Between $180,000 and $200,000 in sales in 2012 Her top tips: \u00B7 Scope out similar companies In 2008, Patrycia and her husband, Keith, started a day care and boarding facility for dogs. The customers asked to use the tubs to bathe their pets because it was easier than doing it at home. &amp;quot;We decided to open another location for just that purpose,&amp;quot; explains Patrycia. Before opening Bubbly Paws in 2010, the couple visited dog washes in cities like Seattle and Chicago. &amp;quot;We figured out what we did\u2014and didn&amp;#039;t\u2014want to incorporate into our own business,&amp;quot; she says. \u00B7 Make your store visually appealing One lesson learned was the importance of a welcoming space. Patrycia and Keith hired an architecture firm to design Bubbly Paws, and they installed real bathtubs to create a spa-like atmosphere. &amp;quot;We wanted it to be both functional and attractive,&amp;quot; says Patrycia. &amp;quot;Visitors are impressed by the cool look of the dog wash, which keeps them coming back.&amp;quot; \u00B7 Personalize your service Included in the $10 to $25 price (depending on the dog&amp;#039;s size) are towels, disposable toothbrushes, ear cleaner, doggy &amp;quot;cologne&amp;quot; and all types of brushes and combs. Employees consult with the dog owners about any issues such as dry skin or allergies, and advise which shampoo is best. &amp;quot;The staff keeps a close eye on our customers and their pets to make things easier, whether it&amp;#039;s helping bathe your dog or suggesting which brush is best for his coat,&amp;quot; says Patrycia. \u00B7 Choose your location wisely &amp;quot;We opened Bubbly Paws on the ground level of a large apartment complex, where a lot of dog owners live,&amp;quot; says Patrycia. The store immediately attracted people out walking their pups. &amp;quot;It&amp;#039;s important to have a location that gets a lot of foot traffic\u2014the storefront is a great advertisement in itself!&amp;quot; \u00B7 Create a community During the summer, Bubbly Paws hosts monthly Bubble Bath Parties, which offer discounted prices, snacks and raffles with part of the proceeds going to local animal rescues. &amp;quot;These events are a blast for people to attend with their pets,&amp;quot; says Patrycia. &amp;quot;We also support local festivals and parades year-round, reinforcing that we are committed to the neighborhood.&amp;quot; "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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