Among the many certifications Kier has earned are WPA Professional Grooming Credential, AKC S.A.F.E., AKC Salon Handling, Fear Free Professional, Canine Esthetician through Christein Pearson-Sertzel, Low Stress Handling Silver through Cattledog Publishing, and Puppy Behavior Counselor through Sally J. Foote, DVM, CABC-IAABC.

In addition to providing treatments that heal unhealthy skin, Kier offers Puppy Prep School and Fear Recovery Grooming packages to help dogs who are unfamiliar with the grooming process or who have anxiety surrounding it.

With its black walls, the salon and boutique doesn’t look like any other. Kier opted for black after the original pink showed every hair and speck of dirt. She wanted it to be “modern and clean and memorable.”

Just $10,125 in savings and Kier’s DIY and thrifting talents transformed a European grocery store into the salon and boutique in 2012.

Striking wallpaper provides the perfect background in the area where she takes “after photos” for social media.

A pampered pup.

Freshly groomed friends.

Kier’s Moyen Poodle Sally gets the star treatment at her salon.

Kier also sets up a photo set for the holidays.

Little Barks mostly sells its own lines of hand-crafted accessories and treats, and Kier focuses on products made in the U.S. and by female-owned companies for the rest of her offerings.

Kier proudly promotes that Little Barks collars are SC Certified Products, designating they are made in the state.

As are her brand of treats.

Kier uses furniture and other home pieces for her retail fixtures.

Bare Bites single-ingredient liver treats are one of her top sellers. She even has sample-size bags to send home for free with grooming customers. “The dogs usually tell Mom and Dad they love them and want more,” Kier says.

Kier proudly displays her many grooming education certificates.

Kier says of retail offerings, “I think treats and wearables are a great way for grooming salons to up their everyday bottom line. It does require some suggestion at checkout: ‘Our collar is looking a little worn, did you see this one? It would be perfect.’ And they say, ‘Yes!'”

Pink carries through to the business’s exterior.

Which also featured stylish decal-covered windows. Read more about the business in the America’s Coolest feature in our July-August issue.