Summary

In our latest episode of The Daily Groomer, I’m chatting with Heidi McRannells, the founder of The Colorful K9 in Sioux Falls. We get into the world of creative grooming and what it really takes to build a successful salon from the ground up. Heidi opens up about everything from pay structure and employee handbooks to finding your niche and standing out in a crowded market. She’s super honest about the challenges too—like pricing, hiring, and keeping clients happy. No matter where you’re at in your grooming journey, there’s something in here you’ll definitely take away.

Timestamps

09:24 Creating a Clear Employee Handbook

14:47 Photographer Boosts Dog Photo Business

19:45 Dog Grooming and Coloring Pricing

25:02 Business Expansion and Staffing Plans

27:00 Achieving Full Bookings in Year One

34:55 Business Owner Financial Preparedness

Stay connected with our guest speakers! Follow them on their social media The Colorful K9. For more grooming tips, insights, and stories, check out our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Daily Groomer⁠⁠⁠⁠. Join and be part of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Daily Groomer Community⁠⁠!

Summary

In our latest episode of The Daily Groomer, I sat down with Aaron Voyden, the founder of Cobblestone Creek, to hear how he went from working as a vet tech to becoming an award-winning groomer with a focus on special-needs and often overlooked animals. We talked about what it’s really like working with pets that are anxious, aggressive, or aging, and how understanding animal behavior plays a huge role in grooming. Aaron also shared how he trains his team to tune into each animal’s unique needs. Groomer or not, you'll find something worth hearing in Aaron's approach.

Timestamps

09:41 Grooming Business Growth Journey

14:55 Animal Behavior and Grooming Solutions

18:13 Training New Groomers from Scratch

24:34 Effective Dog Restraint Techniques

34:43 Compassionate Pet Care Approach

Stay connected with our guest speakers! Follow them on their social media Cobblestone Creek Pet Services. 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 #83: In our latest episode of After Hours, it’s just me, Shannon, getting into the difference between perception and perspective, and how both play a big role in how we see ourselves, not just as groomers, but as people. I’m sharing a bit of my own journey with self-image and confidence, along with the mindset shifts and steps that have helped me grow. If you’ve ever struggled with self-doubt or you're just curious about how to show up as your best self, I’ve got some honest thoughts and practical tips that might just hit home—both in the salon and beyond.

Summary

In our latest episode of The Daily Groomer, I’m chatting with Rebacah Murchie, owner of Dockside Doggies in Tarpon Springs, Florida. We talk about how she went from grooming dogs as a teenager to running her own successful salon, her thoughtful approach to working with anxious pets, and how she’s built a business focused on natural, compassionate care. Rebacah also shares practical tips for anyone thinking about opening a grooming shop. Whether you’re in the pet world or just love a good small business story, there’s a lot to take away from this one.

Timestamps

12:08 Seeking Support and Reassurance

15:33 Old-School Dog Grooming Secrets

19:02 Dog Care: Persistent Natural Remedies

23:20 Wellness Service Upcharges Explained

30:03 Mentorship Empowers Refugee's Dream

Stay connected with our guest speakers! Follow them on their social media Dockside Doggies Pet Grooming. 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 #82: In our latest episode of After Hours, I sat down with Trisha Bowen to talk about the real side of grooming life. She shared how she kind of stumbled into the industry, went from not being a dog person at all to eventually teaching others, and of course—we got into some of the wildest client stories (yes, there’s one involving a smoothie to the face). We also talked about being left-handed in a right-handed world, why a good support system matters, and how we each define success in this line of work. It’s an honest, unfiltered convo between two Geminis just talking shop and what keeps us going in the grooming world.

Summary

In our latest episode of The Daily Groomer, I’m joined by Anurag Gandhi, who made a big shift—from a decade in the corporate world at companies like Apple and Nike to starting his own pet care business, Wolfgang Bakery and Grooming, right here in Seattle. We talk about what it really took to make that leap, from starting a franchise and hiring a team, to the day-to-day of running a grooming shop and building lasting relationships with clients. If you’re thinking about opening your own business or just curious about what it’s like behind the scenes, this one’s worth a listen.

Timestamps

06:08 Exploring Business Opportunities and Franchises

11:06 Franchise Agreements: 10-Year Commitment

14:54 Overcoming Challenges in Dog Salon

20:40 Pet Spa Notification and Care System

29:03 Grooming and Retail Business Strategy

Stay connected with our guest speakers! Follow them on their social media Anurag Gandhi. 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 #81: In our latest episode of After Hours, I’m getting real about something we all need but rarely make time for—protecting your energy. I talk about what it really means to grow, set boundaries (yes, even at work), and take care of yourself without guilt. I open up about some of my own challenges with burnout and learning to hold myself accountable. Plus, I’ve got a simple challenge for you: just 10 minutes a day for you. I’ll even walk you through a quick five-minute grounding meditation you can use to start or wind down your day. No fluff—just real talk, personal stories, and practical tools to help you show up as your best, most grounded self for your clients, the pets you care for, and most importantly, yourself.

Summary

In our latest episode of The Daily Groomer, I’m joined by Crystal Gonzalez, the owner of Pooch à la Mode in Chicago. Crystal talks about how she bought and completely transformed a grooming salon—not just once, but twice. We get into the importance of perceived value, how she’s rethought staffing by creating specialized roles, and why branding has been key to building a high-end, profitable business. If you're looking for fresh ideas to level up your salon and stand out in the industry, this episode is full of practical insights.

Timestamps

09:47 Salon Acquisition Strategy Tips

14:54 Grooming Industry Pricing Insights

19:15 Fair Groomer Compensation Debate

28:16 Organic Salon Hiring Experience

36:22 Attracting Ideal Clients

Stay connected with our guest speakers! Follow them on their social media @poochalamode. 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 #80: In our latest episode of After Hours, I catch up with the amazing Sue Zecco to talk about her long and inspiring journey in the grooming world. We get into how the industry has changed over the years, how she's dealt with challenges like surgery and burnout, and why taking care of yourself matters more than ever. Sue also opens up about navigating social media as a seasoned pro, managing tough clients, and the importance of staying connected with the grooming community. She shares some honest insights on growth, mentorship, and what really keeps the heart of this industry beating. It’s a fun, real, and motivating conversation—definitely one to tune into!

After Hours Episode #79: In our latest episode of After Hours, I’m hanging out with the one and only Laura Jane! We get real about everything from taking care of ourselves (inside and out) to the messy, hilarious truth of aging, mental health, and why groomers need to put themselves first for once. We chat about meditation, goofy self-care routines, Gen Z skincare, and making time for YOU—even if it’s just ten minutes. If you want to laugh, relate, and pick up some feel-good vibes, this is the episode for you!