I started my career in law enforcement, working a couple of years as a deputy sheriff. I felt like something was still missing in my life, I wanted to do something with animals that was fun and rewarding.

I started my groomer training in 1998, and soon opened Dog Gone Gorgeous Pet Grooming. Starting part-time, but soon found my small business growing, after 6 months, my grooming shop was a success and I kept getting busier and busier.

I opened my grooming shop full time and went part time with the sheriffs deptartment so I could still have the best of both worlds.

After a while I had to hire a bather so I could schedule more dogs. As my business grew I trained my bather to be a groomer, and hired my best friend as our bather. Eventually, I trained her to groom so I needed to hire another bather. That's when Leeann came into the picture. She was actually a customer before she came to work for me so I knew she would be good for the position, she had the same love and passion for animals as I did.

I hired Leeann as a bather, and as my business grew, I trained her to also be a groomer and hired a second employee. We all have the same love and passion for animals, so it was a perfect fit.

Leeann started baking dog treats, and mentioned her culinary background, my 3 dogs Ariel, Brody, and Corgi loved her treats. The business continued to grow.

The years passed and we started adding events during the holidays. At the howl-o-ween pet costume contest, Leeann made doggie bags of treats to give for our 4-legged trick-or-treaters. Christmas was also a huge hit, and many customers asked for more treats.

We talked about opening a gourmet pet bakery and after researching the idea, opportunity came knocking. Doggone Delicious Gourmet Pet Bakery opened beside Dog Gone Gorgeous Pet Grooming. Leeann is our k-9 chef and the dogs love her, and her treats.

While cooking in my hometown restaurant in high school, I found my passion.....cooking and creating. I then attended the culinary arts program at Joliet Junior College, just south of the Chicago area. I studied nutrition, dietary health, business administration, restaurant management and catering.

While going to school, I worked as a Sous Chef at a national hotel chain. I graduated in 1991, with a major in culinary arts and an associate’s degree in hotel, restaurant, and foodservice management.

In 1999, I relocated to Statesville NC and met Connie. I needed of a groomer for my cocker spaniel mix, Jenny.

My 10 year old dog was over-weight and developed cancer, so I started baking treats for her and my other dogs to keep the high fats and preservatives out of their diet.

At Halloween, I made up bags of my homemade treats for all of our doggie trick or treaters. The peanut butter bow wows were a hit, and Connie wanted me to make doggie bags for Christmas. Soon, our customers were calling wanting to buy my treats. Connie and I started talking about eventually opening a pet bakery.

We’re the bakery that all the dogs are barking about, we have a great variety to suit all taste buds, and our treats get barking reviews.