stories
Fresh Tails: A New Leash on Life
Posted
“I wanted to serve my community in a new way."
For Peregrine Chapman, that moment came after the pandemic shifted how she saw the world—and her place in it.
Peregrine has called Houston home since she was six years old. She’s a proud mother, a mental health advocate, and today, the owner of Fresh Tails Mobile Dog Grooming, a small business making a big impact in her community.
A New Chapter Begins
That’s when Fresh Tails was born—a mobile dog grooming service providing trusted, professional care for pets right at their owners’ doorsteps. But it wasn’t just about dogs. It was about creating opportunities.
Peregrine began offering meaningful work experiences to teenagers and young adults of color, giving them hands-on exposure to customer service, teamwork, and responsibility. “I wanted them to build soft skills and strong work habits. It’s about helping the next generation get a leg up,” she explains.
Her commitment didn’t go unnoticed. One customer, inspired by her passion and purpose, donated his family’s camper van to help Peregrine expand her business.
Finding Support in the Entrepreneur Connection Program
Peregrine’s drive was matched by the support she received from BakerRipley’s Entrepreneur Connection Program.
Peregrine gained the knowledge and confidence to grow her business through coaching, mentorship, and technical assistance.
With BakerRipley’s help, she received a $5,000 grant from the Harris Hub program, took second place in the IgniteHTX pitch competition (Service category), and earned additional awards and equipment through other pitch events.
“When you grow up having to be resilient, you learn to make things work. There’s a line from All Dogs Go to Heaven that stuck with me—‘You can’t keep a good dog down.’ That’s how I felt about my journey.”
Looking Ahead
Today, Fresh Tails continues to serve families across Houston, and Peregrine is building something bigger than a business—she’s building a legacy
Stories like Peregrine’s are exactly why BakerRipley exists. We stand beside entrepreneurs, dreamers, and changemakers—people who see challenges not as barriers, but as fuel for something greater.
