Karen Thompson has been recognized as a leader in the pet care business for 30 years. Constantly challenged by the development of new products since she opened her store, Karens for People + Pets Ltd., Karen has successfully created her own niche in the marketplace with the only high-tech beauty salon and retail store for pets.

From the age of five, Karen Thompson was constantly surrounded by a menagerie of animals. Growing up in a family of entrepreneurs, she always knew that she would combine her love of animals and creative energy to open her own business. At age 24, she began grooming pets out of her apartment, and then went on to open her first pet grooming and retail store in 1975. Her tremendous success led her to expand and open her "fantasy" store across the street, a full-service beauty salon and retail store for pets. Today her store grooms more than 12,000 pets a year and provides her own seasonal line of custom-made products from pet carriers and leashes to sweaters and coats to pet beds and toys. In addition, she has created her own "signature"- with special bandanas and ribbons that are given to each pet as a final touch to their grooming experience.

Karen Thompson says: "My own experience working with animals made me realize early on that few people understand the needs and desires of both people and their pets. My goal was to create a healthy loving environment where both pets and their owners could feel comfortable. It's not just about the perfect haircut, but equally important is that the pet is well taken care of and happy."

Karen has been and continues to be very active with a host of community and animal related charities. She has served on the board of directors of Bide-A-Wee for fifteen years and has been especially involved with their outreach program for handicapped citizens.