Grooming the dog is the easy part. Managing the client is the real skill.

Mel, Zach, Jacqie and Macie get into the messy side of the job: pricing conversations, unrealistic expectations, late pickups, and how to set boundaries without losing the client. Plus why puppy clients are the dream, why before and after photos protect you, and the Christmas Eve matted labradoodle that came with a $500 tip.

Got a topic you want us to cover, or a client story we need to hear? Email us at [email protected]

Watch the video version on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@melanienewmansalonessentials?si=kis0rCSL89h05Snx

Products by Melanie Newman Salon Essentials

Made in Melbourne, Australia

www.melanienewman.com.au

Love Us xoxox

Behind the Bows: The Business Mistakes You Don’t See 🎀

This month we’re getting brutally honest about something every pet professional does… we mess up in business.

On This Dog Podcast Should Have Been an Email, Melanie Newman, Zach Douglas and Jacqie Giggins sit down to unpack their real-life business mistakes from the dog grooming and pet industry, the awkward moments, the “what were we thinking?” decisions, and the big lessons that came out of them.

From money and pricing, to clients, boundaries, burnout and everything in between, we’re lifting the curtain on what actually happens behind the scenes… and how we’d do it differently now.

If you’re running, or dreaming of running, a grooming or pet business, grab a coffee and join us to laugh, learn, and feel a whole lot less alone.

Join Mel, Zach and Jacqie as they chat about beyond the resolutions.Tired of the New Year pressure to reinvent yourself? This podcast is for groomers and independent creatives who want steady progress, not seasonal hype. We break down how to move from manifesting ideas to real-world results: setting realistic goals, building daily systems, staying focused when you work alone, and creating simple accountability that fits a busy schedule. Expect practical steps, short mindset shifts, and stories from fellow groomers who turned small, consistent actions into lasting change, no resolution required.📌What you’ll hear:►Why skipping “New Year, New You” can free you to keep momentum year-round. ►Turning vague dreams into clear, tiny next steps►Affordable accountability tools and community tactics for independent workers►Real success stories and quick, implementable tips►Perfect for anyone who wants sustainable growth without waiting for January 1st.🩷Connect with Mel► Youtube-    / @melanienewmansalonessentials  ► Instagram-   / melanienewman_salonessentials  ► Facebook-   / melanienewmansalon  🇦🇺 www.melanienewman.com.au🇺🇸 www.melnewman.com🇨🇦 www.melnewman.caIf you found this helpful, please Like 👍Comment your questions below ✍️

In this month’s episode, we’re diving into something that so many of us struggle with but rarely talk about honestly: stepping away from social media.

Over the Christmas break, we take time to slow down, log off, and re‑focus, and this episode is all about what that really looks and feels like. 

Macie talks in depth about her own challenges when she stopped posting. What led her to take a break, the fears that came up around being “invisible” online, and how that decision affected her mental health, her work, and her relationships.

We’ll also explore how stepping back from the scroll has helped us reconnect with our real communities, sharing our knowledge in person, being more present with our clients, our dogs, and the people we love, and finding joy in moments that never make it to a feed.

Joining you this month are:

• Melanie Newman, founder of Melanie Newman Salon Essentials and the reason your dog’s hair looks better than yours.

Together, we’re unpacking the pressures of always being “on,” why it’s okay to step away, and how taking a social media break can help you re‑align with who you are.

Connect with Mel

Youtube- https://youtube.com/@melanienewmansalonessentials?si=DQQNIc9DiEXDvGzy

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/melanienewman_salonessentials/

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/MelanieNewmanSalon/

Meet the four of us—Mel (Shark Tank), Zach (Big Brother), Jacqie, and Macie (Pooch Perfect winner)—all professional dog groomers—sharing candid stories from auditions to callbacks, life on reality TV, and what happens after the cameras stop.

We dig into grooming careers on and off TV, casting tips, behind-the-scenes truths, mental health, career pivots, and building a brand post-show. If you’re curious about Shark Tank pitches, Big Brother gameplay, or the path to winning Pooch Perfect, this episode delivers real lessons, laughs, and takeaways for aspiring contestants, groomers, and fans.

Connect with Mel

Youtube- https://youtube.com/@melanienewmansalonessentials?si=DQQNIc9DiEXDvGzy

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/melanienewman_salonessentials/

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/MelanieNewmanSalon/