Barking Brilliant was born in 2008 when Gemma McGee started in-house dog grooming in Derry. Gemma moved to Belfast in August 2013 and completed a two-year HND in Animal Management at Belfast Met, which she completed with distinction. Gemma then purchased her first dog grooming van and her business took off. In January 2021, she opened her own salon in Finaghy and in July 2021 became a dog grooming teacher after completing a qualification. As well as maintaining her busy business, Gemma also now teaches Level 3 diploma in dog grooming and salon management to people who want to come dog groomers.