Annie Wins Business Person of the Year!

Our owner and founder, Annie Nolan, has been named Business Person of the Year in the 2026 West Melbourne Local Business Awards.

As Annie was away at the time, Senior Groomers Maddie and Brooke accepted the award for her. And with the excitement in the salon from all the staff, ya’d think she won the Gold Logie, haha.

Annie started Uncanny Animals from a love of animals and a desire to do things differently. Over the years, that has grown into the colourful Yarraville salon we have today, with an incredible team, a wonderful community of clients, and a continued focus on making grooming kinder, safer and better for animals.

But what sets Annie apart is her relentless belief that excellence should never be limited to one part of a business. If Uncanny Animals is going to do something, the goal is to set the standard for how it can be done.

She expects technical grooming that wins awards, behavioural handling trusted by veterinarians and behaviour professionals, customer service that creates fiercely loyal clients, career pathways that allow staff to thrive, environmental practices that lead the industry, an online presence that educates and entertains, and a business that genuinely contributes to its community.

In just six years, Annie has transformed a one-woman salon operating from the back of her home into a multifaceted, continually growing business with a team of 10 and a reputation that extends far beyond Yarraville, including international recognition.

Annie has never wanted Uncanny Animals to be known as the best at just one thing. Her ambition is to build a business that is exceptional in every way, and in doing so, become a role model for what a modern grooming business can be.

Though as Annie has said, “This award is so wonderful but of course, none of it happens because of one person. Uncanny Animals is what it is because of the amazing people who work here, the clients who have supported us over the years, and all, of course, all the beautiful pets! Thank you for being part of it.”