Stephanie Godin, 47, has opened Bark ‘n’ Bubbles in Theatre Street after spending years working for the benefit of the public.
Ms Godin had worked her way to being a deputy planner for the police and also worked for Lewisham and Greenwich councils in London.
She relocated from Kent to Dereham and, due to a lack of opportunities, decided to go back to school.
Ms Godin said: “I’m always in my comfort zone so this has been huge for me.
“I retrained as a mature lady. I went back to college at 45 years old and got my pet grooming qualifications two years later.
“And I’m a single mother.”
Ms Godin originally intended to open her parlour in her garden shed and had even applied for planning permission to do so.
Although her plans were approved, she decided against it.
She said: “It just wasn’t worth it and luckily I saw the building on Theatre Street was being auctioned so I thought why not just go for it?”
Ms Godin then bought the building in May and has spent the last three months giving it some much-needed restoration.
She added: “There was quite a bit of work to do. There was an issue with damp, it needed a new roof so when the opening day came around, I was really nervous.
With her one-month anniversary of being open coming up, Ms Godin says the business is doing well.
She said: “It’s just me so I can offer a bespoke service, which I think separates us because we’re not a conveyor belt.”
She also has another table in the parlour, which she offers to those looking for work experience.
Ms Godin said: “There’s a real lack of opportunity in Dereham so I’m trying to help wherever I can.”
If you want to contact Ms Godin and book an appointment, you can call her on 07955 663425.
