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Groomed for success

Ethel Taylor didn’t have a business background — she used to be a missionary in Liberia. But she sensed an opportunity in the pet industry and opened Doggie Washerette, a self-service dog-washing operation with the newest machines, on Georgia Avenue NW.

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Feb. 18, 2012

Ethel Taylor, owner of the Doggie Washerette on Georgia Avenue NW, talks to customer Jeremy Busse as he washes his dog, Ozzie. Taylor's new business features K9000 self-serve dog washing machines, which shoot water, shampoo and conditioner through one hose.

Mark Gail / THE WASHINGTON POST

Ethel Taylor says she stumbled onto the idea for the self-service dog-washing business while surfing the Internet two years ago. But Taylor did her homework. She found that in Ward 4, where she lives and wanted to open the business, there are more than 2,000 dogs — not to mention thousands more<em>

</em>in nearby Silver Spring and Takoma Park.

Feb. 24, 2012

Ethel Taylor says she stumbled onto the idea for the self-service dog-washing business while surfing the Internet two years ago. But Taylor did her homework. She found that in Ward 4, where she lives and wanted to open the business, there are more than 2,000 dogs — not to mention thousands more in nearby Silver Spring and Takoma Park.

Mark Gail / THE WASHINGTON POST

Rebecca Levy washes her Labrador, Chet, at Doggie Washerette. Levy and Chet are regular customers, visiting once a month. Each visit costs $20. 'Chet likes it,' she says -- and then adds the caveat, 'or as much as a dog like a bath.'

Feb. 18, 2012

Rebecca Levy washes her Labrador, Chet, at Doggie Washerette. Levy and Chet are regular customers, visiting once a month. Each visit costs $20. "Chet likes it," she says -- and then adds the caveat, "or as much as a dog like a bath."

Mark Gail / THE WASHINGTON POST

Chet gives a shake as owner Rebecca Levy hoses him down. The K9000 machines are made in Australia and are costly — $18,000 each. They're intended to be sort of a carwash for dogs, and most buyers put them outside carwashes. But Ethel Taylor envisioned a more comfortable indoor operation. She says she has more than 100 repeat customers.

Feb. 18, 2012

Chet gives a shake as owner Rebecca Levy hoses him down. The K9000 machines are made in Australia and are costly — $18,000 each. They're intended to be sort of a carwash for dogs, and most buyers put them outside carwashes. But Ethel Taylor envisioned a more comfortable indoor operation. She says she has more than 100 repeat customers.

Mark Gail / THE WASHINGTON POST

Myikee, owned by Greg Gaten Taylor, takes a turn in the K9000. gets blown dry by its owner, Greg Gaten Taylor, after getting a bath at the Doggie Washerette.

Feb. 24, 2012

Myikee, owned by Greg Gaten Taylor, takes a turn in the K9000. gets blown dry by its owner, Greg Gaten Taylor, after getting a bath at the Doggie Washerette.

Mark Gail / THE WASHINGTON POST

Lucy, a French bulldog, looks up her owner, Bob Sumner, before he brushes her teeth during a visit to the Doggie Washerette.

Feb. 25. 2012

Lucy, a French bulldog, looks up her owner, Bob Sumner, before he brushes her teeth during a visit to the Doggie Washerette.

Mark Gail / THE WASHINGTON POST

Lucy, a French bulldog, gets her teeth brushed by owner Bob Sumner during a visit to the Doggie Washerette.

Feb. 25, 2012

Lucy, a French bulldog, gets her teeth brushed by owner Bob Sumner during a visit to the Doggie Washerette.

Mark Gail / THE WASHINGTON POST

Asher Inman gives his dog, Lou, a hug at the Doggie Washerette.

Feb. 24, 2012

Asher Inman gives his dog, Lou, a hug at the Doggie Washerette.

Mark Gail / THE WASHINGTON POST

It was a full house Friday night at the Doggie Washerette. Weekends often are busy.

Feb, 24, 2012

It was a full house Friday night at the Doggie Washerette. Weekends often are busy.

Mark Gail / THE WASHINGTON POST

Rebecca Levy dries Chet after his bath.

Feb. 18, 2012

Rebecca Levy dries Chet after his bath.

Mark Gail / THE WASHINGTON POST

Lucy, a French bulldog, is washed by owner Bob Sumner in the K9000.

Feb, 25, 2012

Lucy, a French bulldog, is washed by owner Bob Sumner in the K9000.

Mark Gail / THE WASHINGTON POST

Bob Sumner washes Lucy's paws.

Feb. 25, 2012

Bob Sumner washes Lucy's paws.

Mark Gail / THE WASHINGTON POST

Myikee gets dried off by owner Greg Gaten Taylor. is washed by owner Greg Gaten Taylor at the Doggie Washerette.

Feb. 24, 2012

Myikee gets dried off by owner Greg Gaten Taylor. is washed by owner Greg Gaten Taylor at the Doggie Washerette.

Mark Gail / THE WASHINGTON POST

Asher Inman, 14, blow-dries Lou during a visit to the Doggie Washerette.

Feb. 24, 2012

Asher Inman, 14, blow-dries Lou during a visit to the Doggie Washerette.

Mark Gail / THE WASHINGTON POST

Greg Gaten Taylor trims Myikee's hair.

Feb. 24, 2012

Greg Gaten Taylor trims Myikee's hair.

Mark Gail / THE WASHINGTON POST

Ethel Taylor disinfects a dog-washing unit between dogs. She had never run a business when she decided to open Doggie Washerette. But she saw an opportunity: 'There is a need there. People are taking caring for their dogs to a whole different level. They have a whole channel on TV about animals.'

Feb. 18, 2012

Ethel Taylor disinfects a dog-washing unit between dogs. She had never run a business when she decided to open Doggie Washerette. But she saw an opportunity: "There is a need there. People are taking caring for their dogs to a whole different level. They have a whole channel on TV about animals."

Mark Gail / THE WASHINGTON POST

Jeremy Busse leaves Doggie Washerette with a clean Ozzie. Dog grooming in the United States is a $3.6 billion-a-year industry.

Feb. 18, 2012

Jeremy Busse leaves Doggie Washerette with a clean Ozzie. Dog grooming in the United States is a $3.6 billion-a-year industry.

Mark Gail / THE WASHINGTON POST

The Doggie Washerette is not profitable yet. Owner Ethel Taylor says she needs to service 12 dogs a day to make money. Some days, hours go by without a single dog. She has essentially run out of money to promote the K9000 machines.

Feb. 24, 2012

The Doggie Washerette is not profitable yet. Owner Ethel Taylor says she needs to service 12 dogs a day to make money. Some days, hours go by without a single dog. She has essentially run out of money to promote the K9000 machines.

Mark Gail / THE WASHINGTON POST

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