Mary Shimonishi is a beautician of sorts.
Mary Shimonishi is a beautician of sorts.
She washes, cuts and styles her clients’ hair with bows and scarves but unlike other beauty parlors, her customers leave happy with their tails wagging and bark when they want her attention.
“I’m really lucky. I love what I do,” she said.
For the past 15 years, Shimonishi has been helping the posh pooches of San Benito County keep their style, hygiene and distinct cuts up to par for $35 to $65 a cut. After a lukewarm, sudsy wash, a trim with the clippers and some colorful bows to bring out their eyes, the canines are sent back home to their owners with Shimonishi’s touch.
“The dogs can tell they’ve been groomed,” she said. “After I’ve put the bows on them they know and they get all happy.”
Since graduating from Evergreen School of Grooming in 1978, Shimonishi has spent her days surrounded by schnauzers, poodles and cocker spaniels. She knew she loved grooming at a young age when she used to groom her childhood poodle’s coat. With eight poodle puppies at home right now, it’s clear her love for dogs and their maintenance is a lifelong passion.
“I see it as an art,” she said. “When the dogs come in they’re pretty shaggy and they leave looking great,” she said. “I try to take my time and complete quality work, not quantity.”
One of the biggest reasons she chose to stay in business was for her kids.
“I always wanted to be able to have a career but be home with my kids as well,” she said. “So when my kids were younger, I ran the business out of my home and when they went on to high school and didn’t need me there anymore I moved the business downtown.”
All grown up and getting ready to attend grooming school herself, Shimonishi’s daughter Jennifer will follow in her mom’s footsteps and begin grooming school soon.
“I’m really excited because I’ve been looking forward to having her on board for a long time,” she said.
In addition to a growing staff, Shimonishi’s shop, Shaggy Dog Grooming, will see some new merchandise additions as well. In the next month, she’ll receive shipments of dog accessories, including rhinestone collars that can’t be found anywhere else in the Hollister area, she said.
