Who is Reba?

The Inspiring Journey of Reba’s with A Personal Touch Pet Salon LLC

The heart of this exceptional business lies with its founder, Rebecca Newby, affectionately known as "Reba," a lifelong nickname given to her by her father. For Rebecca, the name Reba is a powerful reminder of her childhood, where her deep-seated passion and unconditional love for animals first took root. It was this emotional connection that inspired her to choose a name for her business that embodies love, passion, and a personal touch.

Reba’s with A Personal Touch Pet Salon LLC is more than just a pet care service; it is a unique enterprise built from a singular, powerful vision: to provide a truly personal customer experience for both pets and their devoted owners. Though the doors officially opened in November 2019, the dream of A Personal Touch Pet Salon had been nurtured for decades. Rebecca began her career in the pet business at the age of 12 as a grooming assistant in Eden, WI, and became a professional groomer upon graduating from the Wisconsin School of Professional Pet Grooming in October 2009. She continued to hone her skills at Fond du Lac Veterinarian Clinic & Pet Grooming from 2001 until 2013.

However, in 2013, after moving to Stevens Point with her now-husband, Thomas Newby, Rebecca experienced a period of burnout that led to a year-long hiatus from grooming, during which she sadly lost her passion. She took a job at Waupaca Foundry, but the quiet, persistent pull of her calling brought her back to grooming family and friends' dogs. In this casual return, the spark reignited, and she rediscovered her true purpose.

After purchasing a home in the charming town of Scandinavia, WI, in 2016, Rebecca set up shop in her laundry room. What began as a small, home-based venture exploded with growth. Her dedication to personalized care led to a rapidly expanding clientele, ultimately requiring her to leave the foundry in May 2019. This was a pivotal moment: she chose to prioritize maintaining the Personal Touch over high-volume work. Determined to differentiate her business from the high-volume models she had known, she focused on creating one-on-one experiences and fostering genuine relationships with clients and their pets—treating them as individuals, not merely a number on an assembly line. This deep commitment to tailored care is what formally launched A Personal Touch Pet Salon LLC, which was rebranded to Reba’s with A Personal Touch Pet Salon LLC in June 2019.

The need for a dedicated space led to the renovation of a historic building on Main Street in Scandinavia, WI, which opened in November 2019. This perfect timing allowed the couple to soon welcome their firstborn on May 21, 2020. Despite the challenges of 2020, the business thrived, expanding to include a retail pet store a year later. Seeking further growth, Reba’s relocated in September 2022 to a significantly larger, perfectly situated space just north of Iola, WI. The team has since expanded, and with building plans underway for a final, permanent facility, they look forward to a move in 2026.

Beyond the success of the salon, Rebecca’s profound commitment to community welfare has led to the establishment of her non-profit organization, Personal Touch Standard Poodles INC, in the fall of 2025. This endeavor is rooted in a deeply moving personal experience: witnessing the comforting and healing power of a therapy dog during her son Henry’s open heart surgery at a children's hospital. This moment solidified her dedication to her Standard Poodle, Ivy, and confirmed the immense potential of her breeding program to produce exceptional therapy companions. Ivy, a certified CGC and Therapy Dog, has honorably retired from breeding to focus solely on service. Starting in January 2026, Rebecca and Ivy will compassionately visit schools and hospitals, sharing their unique healing presence with those who need it most. Rebecca's long-term, inspiring vision is to significantly expand this critical therapy dog program with more specially trained, dedicated canines. Furthermore, she is passionately pursuing a specialized training career in Therapy and Service Dogs, providing an essential and much-needed service to Waupaca County and the surrounding communities.

Recognitions

Owner and Professional Groomer Reba proudly displays her recognition of almost 25 years of experience Graduate of Wisconsin School of Professional Pet Grooming, AKC Certified S.A.F.E Groomer, AKC S.A.F.E Handling Certified, Member of WPGA, Hair & Skin Certificate, Barkleigh First Aid/CPR Certificate, Difficult Dog Certified, & Feline Safe Handling Certified. Her team offer a higher quality grooming experience. A Personal Touch Pet Salon llc is different we dedicate their time one-on-one with each pet. Developing A PERSONAL relationship with each one offering them the best care they could ever have. They also are a cage free environment, which is more comfortable and quieter. In addition, They offer special services at no extra charge for full grooming including nail trims, ear cleaning, anal glands, medicated shampoos, conditioners, & multiple baths.  Please take their skills, knowledge and special services into consideration when comparing prices.