Local Executive Transitions to Mobile Pet Grooming Venture
Meredith Mexal has shifted from her trucking career to a new venture focused on pets, launching Happy Tails RVA in the Richmond area. This mobile business provides grooming, dog walking, and pet sitting services.
After spending two decades in corporate roles within technology consulting and finance, Mexal was most recently a senior vice president at Daseke, a trucking company. Her tenure also included positions at Estes Express Lines and Booz Allen Hamilton.
Mexal decided to pursue her passion for pets following a buyout that occurred after Daseke’s acquisition by TFI International earlier this year. Describing herself as a dedicated animal lover, she identified a chance to establish a business dedicated to servicing pet owners.
“I’ve always had a deep affection for pets and their wellbeing,” said Mexal, whose home is filled with three dogs and a bearded dragon. “One of the best parts of this venture is that while people may have varying opinions on many topics, a shared love for animals brings everyone together. It’s genuinely been a joyful way to spend my days.”
Happy Tails operates two Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans, each equipped for grooming pets across the region. Services include bathing, ear cleaning, and nail trimming. Each van was purchased from Indiana-based Wag’n Tails at a cost of $130,000, while Mexal invested approximately $100,000 in total startup expenses, covering marketing, website development, and down payments for the vans.
The business began serving customers in October, covering a service area that ranges from Ashland to Chesterfield, and from Goochland and Powhatan eastward to New Kent. Pricing starts at $60 for a bath-and-blowout for dogs and $80 for cats, with a 20-minute walk priced at $25 and overnight pet sitting at $130 per day.
Looking ahead, Mexal aims to expand Happy Tails by introducing an online retail store and possibly offering telehealth veterinary services. By the end of 2025, she aspires to have five vans in operation, believing that a diverse range of services will set Happy Tails apart in the competitive pet care market.
“There are numerous groomers and pet sitters in Richmond, but many do not offer both services,” Mexal explained. “I see a need for high-quality pet care that is also convenient for busy individuals.”
