Megan Coulthurst is embarking on her first go-it-alone business venture at the age of 33.

Animal lover Megan is preparing to open a new dog grooming salon called Bark and Brush in Church Road, Port Erin.

Megan said: ’I’m feeling a little bit nervous and very excited about my new business.’

Talking to Business News she said 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 Andrew, 40, who works in gaming software development, at their home in Port Erin.

Megan is planning to open the salon on January 2 but the premises, two doors up from the village post office, will be open this Saturday (December 23) from 10amto 2pm for people to get an exclusive view.

Earlier this year 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 has taken part in a micro-business course run by the government’s Department for Enterprise, formerly the Department of Economic Development.

Megan’s own dog, an 18-month old cockapoo called Bramble sat obediently beside her side as Megan said the shop premises she is leasing is in an excellent spot in Port Erin. Family members have been a tower of strength.

Her parents Heather and Graham have moved to live in the village and her retired dad has been helping prepare the premises.

And Andrew’s parents Ann and Pete live at Colby - and Pete has been lending a hand too. Equipment she has bought for the shop includes a hydro bath that had to be specially imported from America.

She has also prepared for opening her first business, which has planning permission, by completing severaldays ’work experience’ with Shona from Canine Divine at Windsor Road, Douglas.

Megan said Charlotte Quirk who runs Charlotte’s Doggy Day Care at Snugborough, has been among those who have given the venture their blessing. Bookings have already started coming in.