The latest Natick, Mass., business news:
Town well represented on new Leaders of Color list
Those who live or work in Natick are well represented on the new 50 Most Influential Business Leaders of Color and 20 Emerging Leaders of Color lists for the Charles River Metrowest region. The lists were compiled via public nominations and through a partnership between the Charles River Regional Chamber and Colette Phillips and Get Konnected!
The lists are designed to “shine a light on the leaders and future leaders of color who are making a positive contribution to the economic and social fabric of our west suburban businesses and nonprofits.” The Chamber also says the lists can spark deeper conversations about work left to be done in supporting diversity.
The “Most Influential” list includes these Natick residents and/or employees:
- Alexis Avila (Founder/CEO, Prepped & Polished Tutoring & Test Preparation)
- Beverly Edgehill, Ed.D. (Senior Vice President, Organizational Development at The TJX Companies, Inc.)
- Jay Kim (Executive Director, Foundation for MetroWest)
- Kristen L. Pope (Founder and CEO, Pope Productions, and newly elected Natick Select Board member)
- Louvere Walker-Hannon (Senior Application Engineering Team Lead, MathWorks)
Congrats to all of those named to these lists.
Mr. Nice Dog has come to stay on Rte. 9
Mr. Nice Dog has bounded into Natick at 42 Worcester St. (rt. 9 eastbound side), in the former All About My Dog location. (The owner of that much-loved canine training center closed up shop in summer 2022 and relocated to Colorado.)




Co-owners Antonio Torres and Anna Betancur offer grooming, dog training, and day care in a climate-controlled facility full of bright colors and fun doggie toys. The place also smells fresh and clean, thanks to a daily cleaning regimen that includes lots of elbow grease and a pressure washer. Dogs are not crated at Mr. Nice Dog. There’s plenty of room for them to run around, and there are separate play areas for small and big dogs.




Torres has been raising and training dogs for 30 years, and it’s long been his dream to open up a full-service dog salon. An award-winning show dog trainer, he has competed at numerous dog shows throughout the country, most notably at the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. There, Torres won the “Best of Breed” and “Group Placement” awards multiple times. He’s retired from show-dog biz now, preferring to concentrate on the success of Mr. Nice Dog.
Torres says so far they have 90 clients, “And everybody loves the way this place looks and smells.”
Please send news tips, photos, ideas to natickreport@gmail.com
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