Vroom to groom for car salesman turned dog washer

After 20 years selling cars, Scott Deakin changed careers entirely during the coronavirus pandemic.

After 20 years selling cars, Scott Deakin changed careers entirely during the coronavirus pandemic by opening a self-service dog wash. 

“I got put on furlough… I then reflected on my life and where I wanted to go, I didn’t want to sell cars anymore,” he said

“I’m a great believer you go with your gut and I got this feeling and said to my wife, I’m just going to go and buy the washing baths right now and she said, you just go and do that. So I did.”

Scott, who lives in Aberdeen, was initially wary of how his dog-washing dreams might be affected by Covid-19, but he opened Manky Maggie’s in the city’s Clifton Road for business in August, and it’s been a great success.

“I’m putting everything of me into this,” he said. “I want this to be the best and I want people to get the best experience every time they come in and that’s the only thing I care about.”

Manky Maggies’ main customers are dogs who have got filthy on their walks, giving them a proper clean if owners don’t have the right facilities.

Scott Deacon was bold in changing careers but the decision is paying off.STV News

Scott said some dogs hated being away from their owners, so the idea of a self-service space would appeal to pups that don’t like being groomed.

He has tried to create a relaxing environment and even had an outdoors space to help with social distancing.

“It’s been a horrible, horrible, pandemic we’re going through,” Scott said. “But for me, 2020 will be a good year. It’s changed my life for the better. If you’ve got an idea, you’ve got to go for it.”