Not all businesses have a storefront and are easy to spot, which is why highlighting this pet groomer is such a joy for me in our series of “A walkable neighborhood: Spotlight on Business” here in Camden. For the last three years, TruNorth Pet Styling is an in-home dog groomer where personal touch and care sets this business above the rest. And it’s right here in North Minneapolis.
Olivia Miller has been styling dogs professionally since she was 19. Her love and curiosity for pet grooming started when she was a junior in high school and needed the care and attention of her pet Gus, learning just how deep the love between a person and their pet truly is. That special relationship that comes from the loyalty, joy and comfort of a dog is unmatched by any other relationship. Olivia learned that reciprocity in relationships with pets is the truest form of trust and respect.
I listened as Olivia talked about the pets that she saw as clients. You could see the love and respect she carries for them as she spoke in detail about the intentional choices she makes in getting to know their personalities, quirks, habits, worries and joys. She customizes her strategy with each animal to be what they need to feel comfortable, and reduce anxiety and injury. This is shown even in the care of the products she carries. Dozens and dozens of shampoos and conditioners fill containers in her shop in order for Olivia to custom-make blends specific to each dog’s needs. She demonstrates her care, commitment, and education when approaching the needs of her furry clients. Her attention to detail and mixology, along with her watchful eye for what each dog likes and doesn’t like is why words like High Standards and Integrity are often connected to Olivia and her business.
Trained at Petco, she has also found continuing education through workshops, conferences and employment. Olivia has taken all of that education and experience, and connected it to her values and high expectations of how to care for animals when they are in her care.
What I deeply appreciated about my conversation with Olivia was also learning just how important keeping dogs clean with fresh grooming cuts and trimmed nails is for preventative care to avoid deeper health issues. It takes the vanity out of her work and connects it to more meaningful care.
While most folks who take their beloved dog to a big box store groomer will have to wait hours for grooming from start to finish with the knowledge that the experience is more like an assembly line without a personal touch, Olivia has created a safe and comfortable space in her North Minneapolis home basement to ensure each dog she receives is her sole focus.
I loved chatting with Olivia because even though the goal was to talk about her business, I quickly realized her values for her business are the same as her values for life. She takes the same care to detail and understanding with her clients as she does for her life. It’s rooted in high values and carried out with focused intention. Olivia has a zeal for life, wanting to make the most of her time here on earth, balancing the love of her job, with her love of photography, athletics, and connecting to nature. She puts you at immediate ease with her charm and conversation, which is why it’s so easy to see why animals are drawn to her.
To learn more about TruNorth Pet Styling, visit their website at trunorthpetstyling.com/. Open weekly from 8-4 p.m.; booking online for a consultation is the best way to get to know Olivia and her integrity forward practices.