Lakeside Dog Grooming, a pet care business in Sterling Heights, is marking its 30th anniversary this March. The salon, which now employs nearly two dozen staff members and grooms an average of 70 dogs per day, began as a small shop with only one employee nearly four decades ago.
Owner Debra Mead reflected on the business’s beginnings and growth. “I’ve groomed since 1987, and I purchased Lakeside Dog Grooming in 1996,” she said. “My goal was to reach 100 dogs a week, and we’ve well surpassed that. Now we have clients that have come to us for 20, 30 years.”
Natalie Wyatt, Debra’s daughter and co-owner, noted the long-standing relationships built with customers. “So many people recognize her as the face of the business,” Wyatt said. “It’s nice to talk to somebody who’s been coming here longer than I’ve worked here.”
Debra explained how her family became involved in the business: “I’ve always loved dogs and I grew up coming here, but I never knew it was my calling,” Natalie said. “When my mom started teaching me the simplest parts of grooming, I just fell in love with it.” Alongside Natalie are her sister Brooke, manager and marketing director; and cousin Vanessa, co-owner.
The grooming process at Lakeside is tailored for each animal through initial consultations with pet owners. “All our groomers are so passionate about their work — really, they’re stylists,” Debra said. “We use all premium products here because we want the dogs to look beautiful.”
Services include full-service grooming for both dogs and cats—haircuts, baths, nail trims—and additional treatments such as teeth brushing or specialty spa packages.
“We’re very particular about cleanliness and pet safety,” Natalie added. “We’re transparent about how we do things and we’re always open to educating people on how to care for their dog.”
Over time, advances in tools and techniques have changed how grooming is done. Debra commented: “Everything’s developed throughout the years… It’s a lot different from 1987. We didn’t have specialty shampoos, guards or scissors that these girls have. It’s almost like cheating.”
Staff training is ongoing at Lakeside through monthly newsletters, seminars across the country, and visits from industry experts.
A notable specialty at Lakeside is cat grooming—a service several team members recently advanced by training through the National Cat Groomers Institute.
“There’s only a couple Certified Feline Master Groomers in Michigan, so there’s a need for educated groomers,” Natalie said. “Going through the schooling gave so much more confidence in how to groom cats safely and properly.” To support sensitive felines’ needs, Wednesday afternoons are reserved exclusively for cat appointments.
The team also works closely with local rescue organizations by assisting neglected animals brought into their care.
“That’s the most rewarding part,” Debra said, “seeing how much happier they are.” Natalie added: “One of the best parts about working here is watching people lose their mind over how beautiful their dog looks.”
For Debra Mead, seeing positive reactions from customers confirms what she has worked toward over three decades: building a knowledgeable team focused on animal care.
“When you walk through those doors, it’s all about the dog,” she said. “The people I work with are all really passionate, loving, caring people.”
Sterling Heights supports businesses like Lakeside Dog Grooming by providing community resources including cultural programs and opportunities for resident engagement. The city operates under a council-manager government structure to deliver public services such as parks and recreation departments that contribute to quality of life for residents.
Lakeside Dog Grooming is located at 43726 Schoenherr Road near 19 Mile Road; hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
