DCG Success Stories

Taking a BTEC Business course at Derby College Group is helping dog groomer and puppy breeder Alina Petersone breed more success.

Alina, who completed her level 3 last year with a distinction, merit, merit, runs Starnewf Grooming Salon from her home in Alvaston. She also breeds Newfoundland pups and has been showing dogs since she was 14. Both of her Newfoundlands have won awards at Crufts.

Assisted by her mum, Alina, 20, already had a cat and dog grooming business while she was still at college. But, thanks to the knowledge she gained on her course, she now wants to expand the grooming salon and take on staff as her business branches out.

She said: “I loved my Derby College course and if I could, I’d go back and do it all again. My teacher, Steph, was great and really inspired me to take my business further.

“My favourite part was learning how to market and research. I loved exercises that involved  researching different businesses, comparing them and writing about them.”

When Alina used to take her Newfoundlands to other groomers, she found it quite expensive as she was looking for show grooms. Also, some salons wouldn’t take them because of their large size.

She added: “I decided to train as a dog groomer so I could groom them myself. Our salon, Starnewf, which is named after our kennel name, takes all dogs and cats, big and small.

“My mum had a beauty and accountancy business so I’ve grown up around a strong business woman. Mum helped me with the setting up part of my salon but I’ve since drawn on what I learned at college, such as knowing the difference between primary and secondary research.

“I wouldn’t have had that precise knowledge if I hadn’t done the BTEC at Derby College. I would love to continue to pursue my passion for breeding and dog showing, making history with grooming, showing and breeding, all three of them.”