A true animal lover, Océane Vu started her pet grooming business four years ago. With her services, she brings lightness and elegance to the island’s four-legged companions.
Océane isn’t very talkative. “I feel more at ease with animals than with people,” she says right away. That works out well, since she dedicates most of her time to them. Every day, she visits pet owners across the island to give their furry friends a fresh new look. Bathing, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and of course, fur grooming. She offers a full-service experience, finishing off with a touch of pet-friendly perfume. “Customers always say, ‘Make them look great, as always,’” Océane shares. Over the years, she has built a loyal clientele of locals who trust her to keep their pets looking their best. Every two or three months, they call on her to trim their fur. Most of them are dogs like Yorkshires, Bichons, and Pomeranians, along with a few long-haired cats like Maine Coons and Persians. “I can also take care of hamsters, rabbits, or guinea pigs,” she says. “I love long-haired guinea pigs!”
A Family Passion
Her love for animals started in childhood. She grew up surrounded by dogs, cats, rabbits, and hamsters. “I formed a bond with them early on,” she says. “My mother, especially, was great with dogs.” Her family plays an important role in her business. It was her older sister, Anaïs, who suggested she take a grooming course in mainland France. It turned out to be great advice. As soon as she returned to St. Barths, Océane decided to start her own business. At first, her mother helped her with her early appointments. She never travels light. For every visit, she brings all her equipment: a grooming table, a basin, a dryer, clippers, scissors, and more. “I’ll never forget the day I brought all that back from mainland France,” she says. Her 50-pound suitcase was packed with grooming tools, while all her clothes were stuffed into a trash bag. “People kept asking me, ‘Why are you traveling with a table?’”
“I Try to Talk to Them, to Reassure Them”
Having her own salon is something she thinks about, but for now, she enjoys going directly to her clients. Some dogs feel safer in their usual surroundings, especially since grooming can be a stressful experience. “Some of them cry,” she says. “When that happens, I try to talk to them, to reassure them. I tell them everything will be fine.” Pet owners appreciate her gentle approach. “When dogs start getting restless, it doesn’t scare me,” she says, always staying calm. To her customers’ surprise, Océane doesn’t have a dog of her own. As much as she loves animals, she wouldn’t want to leave one alone all day. When people ask why, she usually answers, “Your dogs are my dogs too.”
