An Exmouth woman who has been recognised for her dog grooming business has spoken of the ‘confidence boost’ it has given her.

Jessica Tweed, of Star Paws Dog Grooming, has been named as a finalist in the Animal Star Awards 2021.

Her business has been listed in the finals of the pet grooming of the year category – the winners will be announced in March.

Jessica, who has been running the Manchester Road business for two-and-a-half years, said she was honoured to ‘even be nominated’.

She added: “It has really boosted my confidence and I know I am going in the right direction with my career. I absolutely love what I do and wouldn't change it at all.

“Becoming a finalist for pet groomer of the year at the animal star awards has been amazing. It came at exactly the right time.

“Just as the government announced that we were going into lockdown 3 I was sent a message saying I had been nominated for this award and then when they had put the restrictions on dog groomers.”

Jessica had been in different jobs including in pubs, a card shop and as mobile cleaner but was a purchasing assistant at a medical supply company when she was made redundant.

She had ‘no idea’ what to do but put spent her redundancy money to train as a dog groomer.

During her training, she got a job at Just Purr-fect as a dog day-care assistant and walker.

After qualifying she Jessica opened Star Paws Grooming in May 2018 and began renting a room from Just Purr-fect.

She said: “I work upstairs out of the way of the daycare dogs on a one-to-one basis.

“I don't heavily restrain dogs and try my best to keep the whole process calm and stress free.

“I have had a lot of success with dogs that can't be groomed by others, due to taking my time with them and keeping them calm.”

Jessica said she is hoping to get her own premises adding: “I am so excited for the future where I will hopefully be able to move star paws into a bigger space and look forward to all the new dogs and owners I will get to meet.