Kim Reit started Farm Tails on December 28, 2020, grooming dogs, on main street in Colton. She hopes to add retail sales in the next few months.  (Photo/Sara Stadem)

Sara Stadem | Editor 

TThanks to the help of some good friends, Kim Reit was able to open to start her own grooming business in Colton called Farm Tails. 

Originally from Sioux Falls and formerly living in Dell Rapids, Reit moved to Colton about three years ago with her boyfriend, JD Amundson. 

Prior to coming to Colton, Reit worked in Dell Rapids under Kathy Bolt at the pet groomer called Paw Spa. Kathy’s daughter, Amy Lahr and her son, now run the Paw Spa and Reit gives the credit to Paw Spa for her success.  

“I love Kathy, Amy and Dylan at Paw Spa. They are just awesome!” Reit stated. She continued, “They are really good friends of mine and I learned how to do grooming from Kathy. If it wasn’t for her, and my boyfriend, JD, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

When asked why she decided to start her own business, Riet explained, “Well, I have always been a huge dog lover which is why I was grooming with Kathy. I just wanted to start my own business versus working for someone else.” She continued, “I just have that entrepreneur about me. I know that, ideally, Colton needs some more businesses on main street.” 

When bringing your four-legged baby to Farm Tails, you can expect that they will get a great experience, according to Reit. “I think one thing that is really important to me is that someone’s pet has a really good experience with me. I don’t want them to have anxiety or be fearful. I want them to come here and know that it’s a relaxed place and will enjoy it.” 

Reit also explained that her dog, Max, also hangs out at the shop and provides company for others. “Max, my dog, is very chill and I want them (other’s pets) to know when they come in here, it’s a really good experience and Max will hang out with them.” 

Before leaving, Reit will also make sure that her customers are satisfied. She wants to make sure that when the pet parent comes in, their dog is how they want it to be and if it’s not, Reit will change it and fix it up. 

“I want everyone happy to make sure I get repeat customers. Word of mouth is big in a small town so I want to keep everyone happy,” said Reit. 

Reit also enjoys getting to know the pets that she grooms and telling the pet parents what stands out about their pet. She even posts the fun on her Facebook page. 

As of right now, Reit is running as the solo groomer at Farm Tails. However, in the spring, she hopes to expand a few areas to increase her business. “Around March, you start to get busier because you get farm dogs in and people are thinking spring and raining so it gets busier that time of year,” Reit explained. She continued, “My goal is to have another groomer come in and in the next couple months I’m going to bring in pet retail items so that this will be a big part of the long-term goal. It’s not something that we have a lot around here. The stores carry a little here and there but not a lot of it. I will be able to see what people’s needs are and that’s how I will bring in retail items.” 

Even though she has groomed a rabbit in the past, Reit is only grooming dogs at this time. She has not been trained to groom cats yet.  

Farm Tails officially opened on December 28 and provides a range of services such as full grooming or just a bath or nails. She currently operates with the hours of Monday through Friday, 8 am-4 pm and if someone can’t pick up their pet right away, no worries. “They (pet) can stay for a half a day or a full day of doggie day care. If they can’t get back until 4 in the afternoon, that’s fine, they just pay for the doggie day care and spend more time with Max and me.” 

However, if those hours don’t work for a customer, she doesn’t want that to deter anyone. “I might try to open up one Saturday a month for those that have a job that makes the 8-4 hard. I can do evening appointments as well for people. I just want to be flexible to make it easy for those to get their pets in.” 

Reit has been really excited about the support she has received and has enjoyed her shop and great location. “The community has been very supportive. Before I advertised on Facebook even, I was booked. It’s been amazing,” she said. Reit continued, “I love being here on main street because people walk by with their dogs and just stop in and visit. I love talking to them and meeting all of their little pets. I have had some amazing, amazing people and I have to say their pets are like them and they are all awesome.”

For more information visit Reit’s Facebook page Farm Tails.