CULLMAN, Ala. – Suds ’n Scissors opened the doors to its new building this past week, marking the latest chapter for the local grooming business that began as a one-woman operation more than four years ago.
Owner and Groomer Kennedy Cudnohufsky started Suds ’n Scissors four-and-a-half years ago, handling every aspect of the business herself.
“I opened with a dream to create a comfortable space for dogs to enjoy their grooming appointments,” she said.
That dream has since grown to include fellow groomers Bri Cone and Gabbi Gilliland, as well as an expanded facility designed with comfort, accessibility and safety in mind.
Cudnohufsky, who was born in Ohio and raised in Germany before spending time in Kentucky and eventually making her way to Cullman, is married to her husband, Josh. The couple has two sons, Jameson and Jaiden, along with a pit bull named Packer and two horses.
Cone joined the Suds ’n Scissors team a little over a year ago. Originally from New Jersey, she moved to Cullman six years ago and has been grooming for 13 years. In addition to dogs, Cone also grooms rabbits and enjoys bringing creativity into her work.
“It’s a great way to express myself and bring my own creative flair to dog grooming,” Cone said. “People have been more receptive than I ever thought they would be.”
Gilliland is the newest addition to the team and has been grooming dogs for four years. She has three dogs of her own and enjoys competing in dog sports with her mini poodle, who is a UKC Champion.
With the expansion, the former Suds ’n Scissors salon has been transformed into a one-on-one, strictly stress-free grooming facility. Each groomer works with one dog at a time, allowing the team to accommodate dogs with a variety of needs, including those with high anxiety, dog aggression or behavioral challenges.
The groomers said they make an effort to work with each dog rather than turning away difficult clients unless there is a safety concern, with safety remaining the top priority.
“Opening my own business gave me the opportunity to give these dogs what I feel like they deserve and make them feel comfortable and happy while they are here,” Cudnohufsky said. “It’s more than just grooming; it’s creating relationships with the dogs and their families so they know when they walk in, their dogs are being taken care of and it’s not just a business transaction.”
“We want everyone to feel like they’re visiting their fun aunt while they are here,” Cone said.
Accessibility was also an important consideration in the facility’s design. Walk-in floor tubs make bathing easier for large and elderly dogs, as well as those with mobility issues, while electric grooming tables can be lowered and raised as needed.
The tubs were hand-built by Cudnohufsky’s husband, Josh, to accommodate dogs of different sizes and abilities.
The new grooming space also features an open-concept floor plan. From the time customers walk through the door, they can see each step of the grooming process rather than having pets taken into a separate area out of sight.
Suds ’n Scissors offers three primary grooming packages. “All Suds” includes a bath, while “Suds ‘n Trim” includes the feet, face and a light shape-up. The “Suds ‘n Scissors” service provides a complete full-body groom.
A specialty menu allows owners to add services including teeth cleaning, nail polish, nail grinding, paw balms, bows, decorative gemstones, temporary color, finishing fragrances and more.
The expansion also includes a private boarding facility designed to give each guest its own space. Dogs from different households are not integrated during their stays.
Each guest has a separate 5-by-7-foot kennel with a private outdoor run accessible through a doggy door. Staff members control the doors through a pulley system, allowing dogs access to their individual outdoor spaces while keeping them safely separated.
The climate-controlled boarding facility also includes a fenced-in outdoor play area for additional activity. Cudnohufsky maintains a strict capacity for boarding and said she generally prefers to remain below that limit to ensure each animal receives proper attention and care.
Throughout both the grooming and boarding sides of the business, the team said its goal remains the same: accommodating dogs with different needs and abilities while making safety, comfort and quality care the priority.
Suds ‘n Scissors is located at 1971 County Road 702 in Cullman. Hours are Monday-Thursday from 7 a.m.-5 p.m. and Friday from 7 a.m.-4 p.m.
Find it online at www.facebook.com/sudsnscissorsllc.
