The Daily Groomer

Summary

In our latest episode of The Daily Groomer, I sit down with Brandy Reese from Paragon to talk about one of the biggest challenges grooming businesses face: hiring. We get into how grooming education has changed over the years, what to look for when you're interviewing candidates, and why attitude and customer service can be just as important as grooming skills. We also talk about training new team members, how pet parent expectations continue to evolve, and some creative ways to find great employees—including looking outside the grooming industry. If you're struggling to build or grow your team, there's a lot in this conversation you'll be able to take back to your own business.

Timestamps

07:53 Evolving dog grooming education

16:01 Importance of soft skills over expertise

23:18 Changing standards for dog groomers

28:55 Upskilling staff with grooming programs

35:33 Challenges in Mobile Pet Grooming

39:14 Utilizing groom techs efficiently

Stay connected with our guest speakers! Follow them on their social media The Paragon School of Pet Grooming. Curious about Teddy? You can sign up here. For more grooming tips, insights, and stories, check out our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Daily Groomer⁠⁠⁠⁠. Join and be part of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Daily Groomer Community⁠⁠!

After Hours Episode #109: In this episode of After Hours, I’m getting into something that affects all of us, whether we realize it or not—our own triggers. We all carry stuff from our past, and if we’re not paying attention, it can show up at the grooming table and change the way we handle dogs, clients, and even ourselves. I share a few personal stories, talk about why self-awareness is so important, and how learning to stay calm and grounded can completely change the energy you bring into every groom. This isn't about being perfect. It's about recognizing what's going on, doing the work, and showing up a little better every day.

After Hours Episode #108: In this episode of After Hours, it’s just me, Shannon Wynings, talking about how our mindset and energy affect every dog we work with. I share my thoughts on staying present at the grooming table, giving each appointment a clean slate, and handling challenging moments without carrying stress from one groom to the next. I also talk about upcoming grooming shows, a few personal lessons I’ve learned lately, and simple ways to bring more calm and consistency into both work and everyday life. It’s an honest conversation about the things that often happen behind the scenes but have a big impact on the dogs, our clients, and ourselves.

After Hours Episode #106: In this episode of After Hours, I sit down with Jayne Gallagher to get real about social media drama, the pressures and power of authenticity online, and what happens when negativity creeps into our community. We talk about navigating online negativity, supporting other groomers, making difficult decisions for our pets, and why respect and intention matter in this industry. We also get into setting boundaries, charging what you're worth, the responsibility that comes with grooming, and the little routines that help us stay grounded—with a fun conversation about moon rituals to wrap things up.

After Hours Episode #106: In this episode of After Hours, I talk about the role energy plays in the salon and in everyday life. I share some thoughts on mindset, why it matters when you're working with dogs, and the simple three-step approach I use: assess, process, and readdress. I also get into self-awareness, staying honest with yourself, and why being calm, confident, and consistent can make a real difference behind the grooming table. Plus, don’t miss my top product recommendations and a special listener discount!

Summary

In our latest episode of The Daily Groomer, I’m joined by Brit Strackbein to talk about what it really takes to build a grooming business that works for you. We discuss Brit’s path from retail management to owning a Wolfies mobile grooming franchise, how she creates lasting relationships with clients without a physical storefront, and her approach to training and supporting new groomers. We also get into the value of adding services like pet sitting and dog walking to grow your business. Whether you’re established or just getting started, Brit shares plenty of practical ideas you can apply right away.

Timestamps

07:34 Client phone consultations

10:25 Learning from industry mentors

16:00 Overcoming too much corporate structure

26:11 Training challenges in pet grooming

33:22 Promoting additional pet services

Stay connected with our guest speakers! Follow them on their social media @woofiescolumbia. Curious about Teddy? You can sign up here. For more grooming tips, insights, and stories, check out our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Daily Groomer⁠⁠⁠⁠. Join and be part of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Daily Groomer Community⁠⁠!

After Hours Episode #105: In this episode of After Hours, I talk about the power of relationships—not just between groomers and dogs, but also with clients, coworkers, family, and ourselves. I share how our energy and emotional regulation shape every connection we make, revealing my own struggles and lessons learned. Discover the transformative “assess, process, readdress” approach, why calm, confidence, and consistency are keys to trust, and why self-care isn’t selfish. Let’s explore how every relationship—inside and outside the grooming salon—truly starts with you.

After Hours Episode #104: In this episode of After Hours, I sit down with Jayne Gallagher and Sasha Riesse for a real, raw conversation about what goes on behind the scenes in the grooming world. We go deep on self-awareness, vulnerability, the importance of creating safe spaces for both dogs and people, and how personal growth shapes our connection in and out of the salon. If you want to hear about the deeper side of grooming life, this episode is packed with laughs, a few tears, and a whole lot of heart.

Summary

In our latest episode of The Daily Groomer, talk with Christina Easterly of Furry Land Mobile Grooming in Albuquerque and Santa Fe about how she grew from having no grooming industry background to running a five-van operation. Christina shares what she brought over from her corporate experience, how she approaches hiring and team management, and the systems she’s built to keep the business running smoothly. We also get into the realities of scaling, handling slower seasons, using technology effectively, and why “hands-off ownership” usually isn’t as passive as people think.

Timestamps

05:41 Learning the grooming terminology

15:54 Importance of employee feedback

21:31 Managing groomer preferences

28:22 Taking risks to grow business

34:20 Importance of efficient systems

Stay connected with our guest speakers! Follow them on their social media Furry Land Mobile Grooming. Curious about Teddy? You can sign up here. For more grooming tips, insights, and stories, check out our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Daily Groomer⁠⁠⁠⁠. Join and be part of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Daily Groomer Community⁠⁠!

After Hours Episode #103: In this episode of After Hours, I'm flying solo and sharing some thoughts that have been on my mind as my birthday gets closer. I've been reflecting on growth, self-awareness, and the value of checking in with yourself halfway through the year. I talk about setting boundaries, embracing different sides of who you are, and showing up confidently in both business and personal relationships. I also break down my three-step approach to client communication and share a few things I've learned about having honest conversations and breaking old patterns. If you're working on becoming a better version of yourself while still enjoying the journey, this one's for you.