By Alexandra Kukulka•Contact Reporter
Pioneer Press
May 16, 2018, 2:00 PM
Birgit Mansfield is the owner of The Complete Dog. The dog grooming business has been operating in Northbrook for about 20 years. Before opening the business, Mansfield worked at UPS and held other jobs. She has one son, two step-daughters and five grandchildren. Mansfield lives in Northbrook and grew up in Chicago.
Q: How do you enjoy owning The Complete Dog?
A: I love it. I wouldn’t want to do anything else. I like working with the dogs.
Q: What inspired you to open the business?
A: I got a divorce and I had to do something. I always wanted to groom. I went to school to learn how to groom, then I opened this shop.
Q: What does a rough day at work look like?
A: You can get a dog that’s a biter. It doesn’t happen often though.
Q: Do you have a favorite dog breed?
A: People ask me all the time, “What’s your favorite breed?” Here’s an example. I always said I didn’t like chihuahuas and I have two chihuahuas. I said I didn’t like pugs, and I have a pug. They find you when they need you.
Q: Who do you look up to?
A: My mom. She just passed away six months ago. She was a strong woman. She was a single mom with two kids. She came here from Germany with my dad. They got divorced, and she learned the language and did it all.
Q: If someone wanted to make you a birthday dinner, what would you like?
A: It would have to be some kind of seafood or vegetable something because I don’t eat meat. And a bottle of wine.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A: Hopefully retired living on the beach.
Q: What is your biggest pet peeve?
A: People who lie.
Q: Do you have any words of wisdom for the community?
A: Life is too short to not eat the cake.
Shout Out is a weekly feature in which we get to know and introduce our readers to their fellow community members and local visitors throughout suburban Chicago.
