On a quiet country road in New Market, Alabama, a white van pulls out of the driveway heading to meet a four-legged client. Inside is Miranda Honeycutt, a lifelong animal lover who turned her passion into a thriving mobile dog grooming business called Honey I’m Combed.
Honeycutt launched her business in October 2024, after more than a decade in the pet grooming industry. She spent five years at big box pet retailer and another five at a locally owned pet spa in Huntsville. But owning her own business? That was always the dream.
“I’ve wanted to be a business owner since I was 16,” Honeycutt said. “Back then, I worked part-time at vet clinics. I wanted to be a veterinarian and open my own practice.”
Moving forward with a pre-vet academic program, Honeycutt earned a biology degree with a business minor from the University of Alabama at Huntsville in 2016. But she realized that applying and committing to vet school would be expensive, and the stress of that journey didn’t feel right. So, while working part-time as a dog bather with a nationally known pet store, she discovered that becoming a groomer was a natural fit for her.
Today, Honeycutt’s mobile pet salon is booked six days a week, months in advance. She grooms five or six small dogs a day—or three large ones—right at her clients’ homes or workplaces.
“My clients know I care about their babies,” Honeycutt says. “Every dog is different. I focus on forming a bond and reducing stress. Grooming can be overwhelming for pets, but I make it as calm as possible.”
Her expertise goes beyond basic grooming. Honeycutt is a certified skin and coat specialist with an Italian pet spa product line. “You have to be certified to use these products,” she explains. “We learn about the sebum layer—the oils that protect skin and hair—and why conditioner matters after shampooing.”
Getting here wasn’t easy. Honeycutt spent a year writing a detailed business and financial plan before applying for a loan. Then came three months of paperwork. In August 2024, she secured funding from the NCI Loan Fund, a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) under nonprofit Neighborhood Concepts, Inc.
“There’s no way I could have started without that loan,” Honeycutt said. “It paid for my van, equipment, and supplies. The NCI team was amazing—they took a chance on me.”
Tasha Reed, loan coordinator at Neighborhood Concepts, says Honeycutt stood out from the start.
“Miranda’s passion and preparation were impressive,” Reed raves. “She came to us with a solid plan and a clear vision. We knew she had the drive to succeed, and we’re proud to support entrepreneurs like her who strengthen our local communities.”
Honeycutt also credits the owners of the local pet spa who encouraged her to take the leap and launch her mobile grooming business.
“They motivated me to follow my dreams and let me keep my clients during the transition,” Honeycutt said. “I couldn’t have done this without them—and without my loyal customers.”
Honeycutt hopes to hire another groomer within two years, but she’s not rushing. For now, she’s focused on what she loves most: making dogs look and feel their best.
The Regions Foundation recently announced a $150,000 grant to support the NCI Loan Fund, a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) operated by Huntsville-based nonprofit Neighborhood Concepts, Inc. This latest investment from the Regions Foundation will expand access to capital for small businesses in Huntsville and surrounding communities.
The Regions Foundation is a nonprofit funded primarily by Regions Bank; through its grantmaking program, the Foundation supports economic and community development initiatives, along with education and workforce readiness programs and financial wellness opportunities.
The NCI Loan Fund is a natural community partner for the Regions Foundation. Since 2015, NCI has deployed nearly $17 million and supported more than 220 small businesses, including 25 this year alone.
To learn more about the Regions Foundation, please visit https://www.regions.com/foundation.