STEVENS POINT—Haley Epstein and Sophie Tokarski, owners of Enchanted Tails, are offering a one-of-a-kind grooming experience for dogs and cats in Stevens Point. They traded in their office chairs and cubicles for bathing tubs and grooming shears and created, not only a business to groom pets, but a place where animals can feel calm and comfortable.
After getting tired of working office jobs, both Epstein and Tokarski pivoted their careers to their passion for animals. They began grooming pets in 2024 for other groomers, and by Feb. 2026, they began the process of opening their own business.
The pair first met when they began grooming dogs at the same salon, and their relationship as co-workers then blossomed into a friendship, and now as business owners.
“It had first started as a joke,” Epstein said, “but then we came together and realized we both were serious. From there we just hit the ground running. Our LLC was filed in February of ’26, we toured this space for the first time in March, and then we signed for it in June.”
Enchanted Tails is located in a former office site, which required significant renovations to transform into a grooming salon.
"It was a lot," Tokarski said. "I mean, a lot of it was done by friends and family. The major stuff like we had to get all custom plumbing. We've got a tub room where we bathe and dry the dogs, but all of that, you know, we had to do—a lot of this space was neglected when we moved in. So, it's definitely a labor of love. "
Epstein’s husband installed the salon flooring, while Tokarski’s father routinely volunteered to wait on-site so electricians and contractors could complete repairs while both owners worked full time at previous positions.
Bringing the salon to life also took the owners to the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the Central Wisconsin Economic Development Fund (CWED). Through their work with the SBDC and CWED, Epstein and Tokarski were able to draft a sustainable plan for their business.
"We would not be here today without the help of the SBDC for sure," Tokarski said. "Shout out to Kate Taylor at the SBDC. She helped us so much, and so did the guys at CWED
The space, located at 3417 Main Street, features two grooming tables and a bathing room with two tubs. To make the process easier on themselves and the pets, the grooming tables and tubs lift up and down with the press of an electric foot pedal. This allows larger breeds and stiff, arthritic dogs to walk directly into the tub or onto the grooming platform without needing to jump or be lifted several feet.
With certifications in geriatric grooming, Enchanted Tails understands that senior pets may need a different grooming experience than the average animal.
Rather than having an elderly dog remain upright on a table for grooming, they allow them to sit, lie down, and take frequent rests on soft padding.
"If they need to lay down, they're going to lay down. If they need to sit, they're going to sit," Epstein said. "If I can still access their feet, you know, foot's hanging off the table and they're just laying and comfortable, I'll just shave their foot while they're laying there".
To prevent injuries in frail or arthritic dogs, the salon utilizes suspended support hammocks, which gently elevate animals to relieve strain on sensitive hips and legs.
"Those are really helpful because it just suspends them, takes pressure off the joints, and then you can just access things a little easier without pulling the legs and just risking pain or injuries," Tokarski said.
In addition to ensuring the comfort of senior pets, Enchanted Tails strives to make the grooming process something that anxious pets can relax during.
When a particularly nervous or reactive dog is booked, Epstein and Tokarski adjust their schedule so the animal is either the only pet in the building or both groomers can be on hand to assist together.
With anxious pets, Epstein and Tokarski ensure the process of grooming is specialized to their needs. Whether this means taking things slow in baby steps, taking breaks during the groom, or letting the animals roam around the salon—Enchanted Tails makes sure the pets come first.
"We're super big on customizing the whole experience for your pet," Tokarski said.
Part of the custom experience includes using specific products tailored to your animals needs, from shampoos to suspension hammocks. Enchanted Tails welcomes animals of any breed and size, making them well equipped with an array of products to treat short hair, long hair, and more.
To offer a comfortable environment for feline customers, Enchanted Tails offers specific days where only cats are allowed in the salon. On Nov. 13 and Dec. 14, Enchanted Tails will welcome only cats inside for a comfortable and relaxing setting. By 2027, they hope to have a consistent monthly schedule where they can welcome cats in without the worry of dogs.
"I have a feline safety handling certificate that I was able to get last summer. And we do cat days. Only cats are allowed in the space for that entire day just to mitigate the risk of dogs and cats interacting" Epstein said.
Beyond physical aesthetics and styling, both groomers stress that regular grooming represents a cornerstone of proactive pet healthcare. Because most animals only see a veterinarian once a year, frequent visits to a dedicated groomer allow trained eyes to spot developing medical issues before they turn severe.
"I think a lot of people forget it's a huge part of pet's healthcare," Upside said. "If your pet's only going to the vet once a year, you might miss something. That's a long time. So, it's a really good opportunity to check in with your pet. I mean, if you see your pet every day, maybe you're not going to notice those things, but we keep notes".
Tokarski agreed. "We're not vets by any means. We can't diagnose things, but we can definitely point out like, 'Oh, I noticed their skin's really dry' or, 'Oh yeah, when I was blowing with the dryer, I could see, you know, their feet look really red. Like, do they have allergies? Like, maybe check in,'" Tokarski said. "So, it's just a little bit more peace of mind.”
Enchanted Tails, located at 3417 Main Street, recently celebrated their grand opening on Oct. 28. Epstein and Tokarski say business has already been busy, with the community’s support overwhelming. The shift from office jobs to caring for animals each day has been validating for both owners.
"This is our baby," Epstein said.
"Our pride and joy," Tokarski said.
For both owners, every gentle bath, floor cuddle, and tailored trim proves that running Enchanted Tails is about nurturing trust—one quiet appointment at a time
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