The Traveling Groomers Podcast

Welcome aboard, fellow groomers, pet stylists, and canine cosmetologists! In this episode of the Traveling Groomers Podcast, Chris Anthony and Mary Oquendo dive into the whirlwind world of grooming trade shows, continuing education, and the vibrant grooming community. From the challenges and delights of attending the US Pet Pro Classic in Dallas to the realities of rescheduling amidst travel hiccu...

Welcome to Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise, Mary Oquendo and Michelle Knowles dive into the crucial importance of self-care for pet professionals—from taking real vacations to prioritizing nutrition and personal boundaries. With Denise Heroux on a well-deserved break, the conversation highlights the necessity of unplugging from work, redefining what rest means, and making intentional choices for both m...

Welcome aboard, groomers and pet professionals! In this episode of the Traveling Groomers Podcast, Chris Anthony and Mary Oquendo dive into the realities of brand ambassadorship and sponsorship in the grooming industry. Fresh off a bustling trade show, the hosts discuss how and why to become a brand ambassador, the importance of aligning your values with the companies you represent, and the potent...

Welcome back to another episode of "Healthy, Wealthy, And Wise"! In today's discussion, Michelle Knowles leads a heartfelt conversation about redefining what success looks like in the grooming industry. Instead of chasing only the perfect finish or striving for dog show standards, she encourages groomers to focus on the journey—prioritizing the happiness, health, and emotional well-being of both t...

Welcome aboard to another episode of the Traveling Groomers Podcast! Join co-hosts, including Mary Oquendo and Chris Anthony, as they celebrate reaching episode 324 and dive into lessons learned from the world of mobile and house call grooming. In this episode, they’re joined by Denise Heroux, who discusses her brand-new book designed to guide groomers through every aspect of setting up and runnin...

Welcome to Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise with your hosts Mary Oquendo and Denise Heroux for a heartfelt and insightful discussion about defining success in the grooming industry and beyond. Together, they explore how personal and professional goals evolve over time, the importance of not comparing your journey to others you see on social media, and the power of writing down your mission and objective...

Welcome aboard the Traveling Groomers Podcast! In this special "mental health episode," Chris Anthony and Mary Oquendo tackle a deeply important topic inspired by recent events at a grooming trade show. After a tragic incident rocked the Northwest Grooming Show, Chris Anthony and Mary Oquendo discuss the emotional impact such events can have on our tight-knit community, the importance of mental he...

Welcome to Healthy, Wealthy, And Wise! In tonight’s episode, Mary Oquendo and Michelle Knowles dive deep into the philosophy of leaving the grooming industry better than you found it. From the importance of continuing education and learning from mentors, to standing strong as an advocate for both the animals and yourself, our hosts share personal stories and insights about fostering a kinder, more...

Welcome aboard, groomers, pet stylists, and canine cosmetologists! On this episode of the Traveling Groomers Podcast, hosts Mary Oquendo and Chris Anthony dive into the world of small grooming shows and retreats. Recorded with a few technical hiccups, the conversation kicks off with fun anecdotes about early morning miscommunications, quirky new coffee drinks, and memorable experiences from recent...

Welcome to Healthy, Wealthy, And Wise. In this episode, our hosts dive into the "wealthy" component of the healthy, wealthy, and wise trilogy, tackling a topic that sits close to the heart of every pet professional: the passion penalty. They discuss how loving what you do can sometimes mean undervaluing your work, leading to undercharging clients and sacrificing your own financial well-being. Draw...

Welcome aboard the Traveling Groomers Podcast! Fresh off their trip to the recently rebranded "Groomed" (formerly Atlanta Pet Fair), Chris Anthony and Mary Oquendo dive into post-show reflections, travel mishaps, and lessons learned both on the road and in the grooming van. This episode is packed with stories about flight nightmares, the ever-confusing world of airport CLEAR and PreCheck, and, of...

Welcome back to Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise! In today’s episode, “Pushing Through Is Not a Personality Trait,”  Join Mary Oquendo, Denise Heroux, and Michelle Knowles as they candidly examine the culture of “toughing it out” in the grooming industry. From glorifying marathon grooming days and ignoring physical pain, to real talk about burnout and losing passion for your craft, they challenge the no...

Welcome to another lively episode of the Traveling Groomers Podcast! This week, hosts Chris Anthony and Mary Oquendo dive deep into the art of choosing the right pet professional—whether it's a groomer or a boarding facility. Fresh off her vacation, Mary Oquendo shares her own pet boarding experiences, sparking a conversation about what matters most when entrusting the care of your furry friends. ...

Welcome to Healthy, Wealthy, And Wise. In this episode, we dive deep into a topic that’s close to our hearts: leaving the grooming industry better than we found it. Join Mary Oquendo, Denise Heroux, and Michelle Knowles as they share personal stories of mentorship, the power of kindness, and the importance of building each other up in a community that can sometimes feel competitive or critical. Yo...

**** New Pet edge coupon code is TRAVELER10***** Welcome aboard to another lively episode of the Traveling Groomers Podcast! Today, Chris Anthony, Mary Oquendo, and their special guest, Barkleigh Award-winning author Angie Coates, dive into the world of pet grooming, creative writing, and all the hilarious pitfalls and triumphs along the way. We’re kicking things off with a behind-the-scenes peek...

Welcome aboard, fellow groomers and pet professionals! On this episode of the Traveling Groomers Podcast, Chris Anthony and Mary Oquendo dive deep into the not-so-glamorous but oh-so-important world of business taxes, work-life balance, and—yes—the realities of burnout in the grooming industry. As tax season looms, they share practical tips for keeping tax-time stress at bay, from using QuickBooks...

Welcome to Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise, with Mary Oquendo, Denise Heroux and Michelle Knowles as they dive into the challenges grooming professionals face when clients need to stretch out appointment; whether it’s due to economic uncertainty, life events like new babies, or changes in circumstance. The conversation explores how groomers can approach these sensitive situations with empathy, offer pr...

Welcome back to Healthy, Wealthy, And Wise Podcast. In this episode your hosts Mary Oquendo and Michelle Knowles dive into the powerful impact of making waves in the grooming industry—and why shaking things up is not just important, but necessary for progress. Kicking things off, Mary Oquendo shares her journey from the early days of mobile grooming, where formal business classes were non-existent...

Welcome to another episode of the Traveling Groomers Podcast! This week, your hosts Chris Anthony and Mary Oquendo take us on a colorful journey through the world of creative grooming. Joined by guest and talented creative groomer Erin Hulan, the crew shares stories about the evolution of creative grooming competitions, the artistic spark that got Erin started in the field, and how she balances he...

Welcome to Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise,with hosts Mary Oquendo, Michelle Knowles and Denise Heroux as they unpack the elusive concept of joy in the workplace—especially within the grooming industry. Together, they share honest stories about finding and sometimes losing happiness both as groomers and business owners. Listen in as Michelle Knowles opens up about her planned transition from hands-on g...

Welcome aboard to another lively episode of the Traveling Groomers Podcast! Join hosts Chris Anthony and Mary Oquendo as they kick off episode 316 with their signature blend of industry insight and playful banter. Today, they dive into how grooming styles and techniques have evolved—going from bell heads on everything to the puffy, adorable "Asian fusion" looks and the ever-changing trends influen...

Welcome to the Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise podcast with your  hosts Mary Oquendo and Denise Heroux. Listen as they dive into the ins and outs of employee management in the grooming industry. From the challenges of hiring the right people to the importance of workplace culture and boundaries, Denise Heroux shares hard-earned wisdom from her years of building a thriving business. Meanwhile, Mary Oque...

Welcome aboard to episode 315 of the Traveling Groomers Podcast! In this lively installment, Chris Anthony and Mary Oquendo kick off the new year with a candid conversation about practical strategies for mobile and house call grooming businesses. They dive into everything from smart money-saving hacks—like tackling runaway subscriptions and slashing utility bills—to the importance of setting reali...

Welcome to Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise with hosts Mary Oquendo and Michelle Knowles with a lively discussion centered on the importance of branding in the pet grooming industry. They dive into what really makes a brand memorable, sharing personal anecdotes—from childhood games to logo recognition—and uncover how colors, consistency, and authenticity shape the way clients perceive your business. Whe...

Welcome aboard for episode 314 of the Traveling Groomers Podcast! In this cozy, nostalgia-filled conversation, Chris Anthony and Mary Oquendo kick things off with friendly banter, comfort food memories, and funny tales of life with their pets. As always, they don’t stray far from the world of grooming—this time unpacking the evolution of grooming tools, essential equipment maintenance, and the exp...