Determined Megan Coulthurst has never looked back since embarking on her first go-it-alone business venture.

Business has been so brisk that animal lover Megan, now 34, has had to close the book for a time on new customers.

’It’s gone absolutely crazy’ admitted Megan, whose husband Andrew, 42, works at Microgaming.

Business News first interviewed her in December, 2017 when she was is preparing to open a new dog grooming salon called Bark and Brush in Church Road, Port Erin.

She later transferred the business to an industrial unit at Harmat Court, Balthane Industrial Unit, Ballasalla.

And she is delighted.

She is full of praise for the Balthane estate and the variety of businesses based there.

On a typical day Megan can handle four to six doggy customers.

They have ranged in size from a chihuahua to a giant black Russian terrier.

And she has clients who have travelled to her from all over the island including Ramsey in the north.

Tributes to her abilities are clear on the Bark and Brush Facebook page where grateful pooches are often pictured before and after grooming, with the permission of owners of course.

At the time of the launch Megan said: ’I’m feeling a little bit nervous and very excited about my new business.’

But talking to Business News now she says she hopes other people will be inspired to follow their dreams of going into business.

’Life is too short to not do what you want in life’, she said.

Megan was previously a mental health nurse for five years in the island.

Before that she worked in the island’s finance sector at Hansard International and before that at Canada Life. Her first job in the island was at a jewellers in the capital.

Originally from Cornwall, Megan lives with her husband at their home in Port Erin.

Megan qualified with a level three City and Guilds in professional dog grooming. She went on an intensive 10 week long course at the Abbfabb Academy in South East Cornwall, run by Eve Somers.

She also took part in a micro-business course run by the government’s Department for Enterprise.

Megan’s own dog, a three-year old cockapoo called Bramble, was one of the first customers.

Family members have been a tower of strength.

Sadly her mother Heather died last year weeks after being diagnosed with cancer. Megan spent several weeks with her mother and took a break from business.

Her retired father Graham has taken an active role in lending a hand with Megan’s business.

Megan is always happy to look at new ideas.

For instance she completed a few online seminars on something called Asian fusion grooming.

She said she likes the ’Kawai’ styles. (Kawai is Japanese for cute.)

She admitted: ’I sometimes like to offer something a bit quirky and different .’

Equipment she bought for the business included a hydro bath that had to be specially imported from America.

Megan usually works around five days a week with several canine customers daily. She reminded her Facebook followers recently that Saturdays are booked up for months ahead.

Her interview with Business News ended as another pampered pooch arrived, excitedly wagging his tail.