Abby Snyder, DVM: It's who she's always been

No one in Abby Snyder’s immediate family was remotely interested in animals. She grew up in Sedalia, Missouri. Grandparents living in rural communities allowed her intimate exposure to farm type settings. Her paternal grandmother, with her horses and many small animals, had the greatest influence on Abby.

“Maybe the intention to be a vet was always there. It’s really the only career path I ever considered,” muses Abby Snyder, owner of forty year old Grandview Animal Hospital since 2001.

At Mizzou, Abby met her future husband. In fact, he was the first date she had in college. They were married in 1997. He began working in Kansas City soon after their wedding. Abby had two more years at the Veterinarian College.  She graduated in May 1999 and immediately began working for Dr. Cott, the owner of Grandview Animal Hospital at that time.

She had expectations that Dr. Cott, a man with much experience, would mentor her for many years. But in January 2001, Dr. Cott moved on to a different aspect of his field. It was certainly a surprise to Abby. She was unprepared to be a business owner.  Yet her CPA husband envisioned how it could work. Without his tremendous support then and still, she is convinced she could not run a business.

Regarding being a mom of two and a professional, the two cannot be separated. She’s never felt a big balancing act between mom and profession. Maybe it’s because her husband is so good with the kids and helps so much at home. Also, her parents are very involved in her children’s lives. At the hospital she’s focused on the needs at hand. “When I’m not at the clinic, though, I’m checked out and don’t worry about anything that goes on here.”  She can totally be wife and mom when away from the place.

“We hope that our core office relationships are a testament to the way we operate overall. We are loyal to each other and to our clients. That loyalty and the experience of the staff brings clients back,” Dr. Abby confides. “It’s a given that we know what we’re doing and we’re extremely confident in our ability, even while we’re always learning, and we’re proud of our work.  But we’re always wanting people to realize we’re happy to see them. We work diligently to put people at ease by making sure they understand every step of what we do and why. Even when they come in only once a year or more rarely, we hope we can relate that we are experts  so that they trust us.

“This is a relationship business.” Tears stream down Snyder’s face as she recalls an event. A dear friend’s pet died at home. She knew they were coming over and went outside to meet them, taking the pet out of the car. Later the owner said ‘that did it’ for her, regarding Abby as a veterinarian.

“We are family to so many who have no family. It’s a heavy responsibility to want to do and give more. We allow that compassion to feed our hearts,” Abby continues. “And you’re there for people when they need you, sometimes in their darkest hour.

Sometimes things work out by chance, others it’s just perfect order.

Recently we had a boxer puppy come through our rescue program, Hardluck Hounds. We don’t usually take big breeds but this was such a cute little puppy and we did.  My office manager wanted to call a past client.  We don’t usually call people for adoptions. But she felt certain she should and I agreed. That day of the call was exactly one year since the passing of their pet. They were here to pick him up in fifteen minutes. For us it was, we had a dog that needed a home. For them, it was so much more.”

Dr. Abby describes her staff as an ‘awesome team.’ Remember Grandview Animal Hospital at 1006Main Street, Grandiew and call 816.711.5071 for their help Monday through Saturday, when your pet has a need. When it’s time for you to adopt a cat or dog contact Hardluck Hounds at the same number. It is truly a place where compassion and expertise combine to benefit every person and their pet who enters.

Staci Garrett: Creative Illlusions

Whether you’re young or old, finding your way, or setting off on a new business venture, Staci Garrett, owner of Creative Illusions Nail Salon in Grandview has advice: “Follow your dreams. Take huge leaps of faith. Don’t let anything stop you. Always stay prayerful first.” She knows the power of her words; she has walked her talk and Creative Illusions is a growing success because of it. Staci’s shop is across the street from our own Hard Bean Café. We love having such a creative neighbor!

Staci didn’t always dream of a nail salon but she did know a few things about herself. “I wanted to own my own business and because I’ve always been a people person, I knew I wanted to work with the public,” she said. So she got her BS in Business Marketing/Management from Park College (now Park University). To help pay for her books, and eventually her tuition, she began doing the nails of friends. She said, “The more creative I got, the more talent I realized I had. I just took the ball and ran with it.” During her last semester at Park, her mother helped with nail school tuition. Staci graduated from both schools months apart.

After college Garrett had two job offers in Atlanta. She was heading there in spite of having a huge client base by this time. Her future husband, Carl, helped her think through the situation. She remembered growing up how her friends always recognized her eye for color even in their little girl playtimes. Staci told me, “My clientele grew overnight and I realized that I do nails and I have my degree in business. I have found my business niche.” She stayed in Kansas City and let her business grow out of the basement of the home she shared with her mother for the next seven years.

Staci and Carl were married in September of ’07 and it was he who encouraged her to rent commercial space. She said, “It was a huge leap of faith” when Creative Illusions Nail Salon opened in a small space adjacent to their current spot in December 2007. But by now Garrett had a dream, and she wouldn’t let anything stop her. And it was here that her full inner creativity began to blossom. And here when her mother realized that Staci possessed much of the same talent and interests as her late grandfather who passed before she was born. He was a painter, he was known for his creativity, he was fascinated with butterflies.

Once the shop was established downtown, with Staci and one other nail technician, the business quickly outgrew that tiny spot. They moved next door where Creative Illusions now offers the services of five nail techs. Creative Illusions, is a full service nail salon offering acrylic nails, spa pedicures, manicures, nail art, toenail enhancement, lash extensions, and eyebrow waxing. Business is still expanding. They are taking back the small space next door to offer the services of total body waxing and massage therapy.

Staci’s gift is her creative design. Nail art is a step past French nails which, as Garrett said, ‘anybody can do.” She said, “When I got tired of doing the French nails, I decided it was time to do nail art.” Nail art adds mystique to nails. It draws attention and jazzes up beautiful hands. Staci is sought after for her art and application.

Do what I’ve done: treat yourself by making an appointment with Staci or one of her specialized nail technicians. Creative Illusions is at 818 Main Street in Grandview, MO and the hours are Tuesday thru Friday 7 am to 7 pm or Saturdays 7 am to 4 pm. They’ll even set special appointments on Sundays and Mondays because they know that hands tell a story and they want yours to be one of beauty.