The Daily Groomer

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 groomin...

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 cha...

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, profitabl...

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 sea...

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...

Summary In our latest episode of The Daily Groomer, I sit down with my good friend Nick Diamond—aka Nikki Dimes—founder of Chubbs Mobile Grooming in Paradise Valley, Arizona. We dive into his unique path from baseball and the corporate world to launching a successful mobile grooming business inspired by his late dog, Chubbs. Nick opens up about his hands-on business philosophy, creative marketing...

After Hours Episode #78: In our latest episode of After Hours — it’s a mailbag edition! I’m answering your questions on everything from handling anxiety in the salon to helping clients stick to a four-week grooming schedule, and ways to boost your income as a mobile groomer. I’ll share honest insights on self-care, setting boundaries, and positioning yourself as a luxury service provider. Plus, I’...

Summary In our latest episode of The Daily Groomer, I had the chance to chat with Samantha Hoffmann, the powerhouse behind BYOP in Staten Island. From a childhood love of animals to studying behavior and building a thriving grooming salon, her journey is anything but ordinary. We get into how she made the leap from pet store owner to full-time groomer, what it’s really like managing a team of 12,...

After Hours Episode #77: In our latest episode of After Hours, I’m hanging out with my good friend Jessica Clark for a real, unfiltered conversation. We talk about the Barkleigh Awards—nominations, the whole self-promo thing, and giving props to people who deserve it. We also share some trade show stories, get into the messiness of industry drama, and open up about dealing with self-doubt and sett...

Summary In our latest episode of The Daily Groomer, I chat with Shannon Cox, owner of Shannon’s Pretty Paws and a 2024 Top Grooming Business winner. Shannon’s known for her work with anxious and “difficult” dogs, and we get into how she builds trust with them, supports her clients through the process, and comes up with creative solutions for tough grooming situations. She also shares her approach...

After Hours Episode #77: In our latest episode of After Hours, I’m back after a month-long break and diving into what real growth actually looks like. Spoiler: it’s not always easy or clean. I’m sharing some personal stories—the wins, the setbacks, and everything in between. We get into why enthusiasm has been a quiet superpower for me, how vulnerability plays a bigger role than most people think,...

Summary In our latest episode of The Daily Groomer, I talk with Gretchen McManus, founder of Rover Done Over, about how she grew her Tampa-based mobile grooming business from a single van to a fleet of eleven. She shares the strategies that helped her scale—like building a strong team, retaining groomers, and creating systems that actually work. We also get into the lessons she’s learned through i...

Summary In our latest episode of The Daily Groomer, I chat with Tasha Long—owner of Dog Dynasty and The Downtown Cat in Grand Junction, Colorado. We talk about the real-life ups and downs of running a multi-service pet business, from salon build-outs to the challenges of daycare, boarding, and cat grooming. Tasha shares how she’s turning her passion for felines into profit and what’s next with her...

Summary In our latest episode of The Daily Groomer, I sit down with Chris and Emily Elias to dive into their newest adventure—Dapper Tales Mobile. After building Rough Life Mobile from the ground up, they’re now rolling out a franchise model made for groomers, by groomers. We get into how they’re picking markets, tackling industry hurdles, and creating real support for independent groomers across...

Summary In our latest episode of The Daily Groomer, I travel to South Bend, Indiana, for a conversation with Josh White, CEO of Wag’n Tails, recorded on-site at their facility. We unpack the evolution and rapid growth of mobile grooming, what makes Wag’n Tails stand out, and the real financial considerations of launching a mobile grooming business. Josh also shares what it takes to grow from a sin...

Summary In our latest episode of The Daily Groomer, I chat with Jason Anderson, founder of Wet Paws Mobile, about how he made the leap from banking to building a successful mobile grooming business in Albuquerque. We get into the details of how he scaled from one van to five in just three years, what he looks for when hiring groomers, and how he’s branching out into services like pet sitting and s...

After Hours Episode #76: In our latest episode of After Hours, I had a great conversation with Paige Andrus—groomer, business owner, and all-around real one. We covered everything from mental health and running a grooming business to dealing with tough dogs and creating strong client relationships. Paige shares insights on setting boundaries, staying grounded, and finding balance between work and...

Summary In our latest episode of The Daily Groomer, I sit down with 16-year-old groomer Johanna Ogreen to talk about what it’s really like to balance high school, a full roster of clients, and grooming competitions. She shares how growing up in her mom’s salon shaped her path, how she built her own client base (with a little help from Facebook moms), and the systems she uses to stay on top of it a...

After Hours Episode #75: In our latest episode of After Hours, it’s just me, Shannon, chatting solo and getting real about what it means to show up authentically, both in life and at the grooming table. I’m sharing some lessons I’ve learned along the way, like the difference between being kind and being nice, and why it’s more important to respect yourself than to be liked by everyone. I’m also ta...

Summary In our latest episode of The Daily Groomer, I sit down with the incredible Katie McAfee, a resilient dog groomer who shares her profound journey of recovery and determination. After a life-altering car accident in 2018, Katie rebuilt her life and business from the ground up. She opens up about the challenges she faced, the motivation she found in her love for family and grooming, and how s...

After Hours Episode #74: In our latest episode of After Hours, I get to chat with the one and only Jay Scruggs! We talked about how he got into grooming, all the chaos that comes with social media, and how your energy and handling skills matter way more than people give credit for. We swapped some funny stories, talked about trying to keep life and work balanced, and why it’s so important to keep...

Summary In our latest episode of The Daily Groomer, I chat with Don Greene, co-owner of Rainbow Mobile Grooming. We talk about how they’ve built a happy, motivated team and why that’s been key to their success. Don also shares how they’re blending mobile grooming with pet wellness to offer something truly different. Tune in to hear how their values and fresh approach are driving real growth. Times...

Summary In our latest episode of The Daily Groomer, I sat down with Darren Clarke, owner of Dapper Dogs Mobile, to talk about his journey from the IT world to running a successful mobile pet grooming business in Texas. We get into everything – from finding the right pricing, the hiring hurdles in an unregulated industry, to the advantages of online booking. Darren shares some useful tips and real-...

After Hours Episode #73: In our latest episode of After Hours, I’m diving into the messy, honest side of personal growth—think shadow work, navigating self-doubt, and the unexpected lessons life (and grooming) likes to throw at us. I get into some behind-the-scenes industry stuff, why the way we talk to ourselves matters, and yeah, I’ve got a few quick grooming tips too. Plus, I’m shouting out som...

Summary In our latest episode of The Daily Groomer, I chat with LeEtta Robinson, the grooming manager at Kenl Inn over in Lincoln, Nebraska. She shares her journey from bather to leading a team of 10 while managing 20-30 dogs a day. We dive into the details of her role, tips for hiring, and how to build a top-notch grooming team. If you’re considering a career in grooming or need advice on hiring...