Women PetPreneurs

Tami Vornbrock started training and showing dogs at the age of 15, and her first jobs were working in the pet care field. In 1996 she graduated from Grooming school and has owned her own grooming business since 2006. She has achieved her ICMG with International Pet Groomers, NCMG with National Dog Groomers Association of America, is a Certified Canine Esthetician, and earned her Pet Groomer Creden...

Robyn Michaels Robyn Michaels is a retired dog groomer. She started grooming in the late 1960's working for hobby breeders. She has placed in grooming contests and titled dogs in ASFA field trials, obedience, rally, and conformation, and has helped others choose show dogs. She started investing in the 1980s and is now happily retired. She blogs at disparateinterests.wordpress.com and writes fictio...

Samm Hutchison is the Owner and Founder of Bear’s Bites and the Co-Founder of the Bear’s Bites Foundation. Samm started Bear’s Bites after struggling to find good quality treats for her own dogs when they were diagnosed with food allergies. Samm and her husband Co-founded the Bear’s Bites foundation after struggling to figure out how to pay for their family dog Tank’s emergency medical bills and d...

Sierra Elbert wears many hats, including wife, mother, pet owner, entrepreneur, pet stylist, program developer and educator. “My family is my whole world” Elbert exclaims. Her family includes Cory, her husband, Grace, her daughter, Kip, her son, Aspen, a rough-coated collie, and Sterling, a Dandie Dinmont Terrier. Elbert’s mother owned a dog salon when she was growing up, so she learned first-hand...

Olyvia is an amazing young woman who will be doing great things with her life. At 14, she is the youngest Pet Tech Pet First Aid Instructor. This ballerina has dreams of running a wildlife rescue refuge. I have no doubt she will succeed.

Brittney has been grooming dogs for a year. She works at Puppy Haberdashery as the company’s Chief Operation Officer. They specialize and creative grooming, colors, poodles, and doodles. She's wanted to work with animals all her life and loves waking up and working every single day!

Denise Heroux owns Awesome Paws Pet Salon, a Cleveland-based chain with two locations and active plans for expansion. Awesome Paws fosters a healthy environment for employees and pets with a focus on employee investment and learning. While managing both locations and a staff of over 20 employees, Denise finds time to work with the Ohio Professional Pet Groomers Association, which she founded. The...

Having grown up on a hobby farm in SE Minnesota, Kemlyn had access to numerous different animals. She was a veterinary technician for many years, as well as adog trainer and in-home pet consultant, and pet groomer/salon owner. Kemlyn has two children and lives in Winona, MN with her husband, Tommy Stockstill. To round out her family, they have two cats and three dogs.

Kate Klasen is the owner of a holistic pet spa, Balanced Paws in AZ. She is Fear Free certified, a Reiki master, crystal healer, and certified canine esthetician. Kate is also certified through Science Dog on canine nutrition and teaches classes on pet foods. She brought her passions together when she formed The Frontline Coalition with Malinda Malone, where she brings in her past experience as a...

Mary talks with the Number 2 groomer in the United States. Helen's journey over the last couple of years has been nothing short of amazing.

I've known Anjie for a couple of years and am always amazed at her drive. She's the first to help out a fellow groomer and she is fast making her mark in the professional pet industry. She is definitely a rising star and look forward to see what she's up to next.

Mackensie Murphy is a second generation groomer who started grooming at the age of 18. She dove into the world of competitive grooming and quickly rose from ranking in the top 10 for Groomteam USA her first year out to winning Up And Coming Groomer Of The Year in 2012. Mackensie has also dedicated herself to educating other groomers world wide She currently has an advanced grooming program held at...

Chris is a career pet stylist and dog person of over 30 years. Currently she is the owner and operator of Finer DeTails Pet Spa & Wellness Center, and Special Kneads Canine Massage in Mazomanie, WI. She is an award winning competition groomer, has multiple national grooming certifications from the NDGAA, IPG, and is a Certified Canine Esthetician specializing in canine skin & coat care and nutriti...

Heather Blomquist started grooming 33 years ago at the age of 16. After working at a couple of salons and 11 years as a veterinary groomer, she opened Spotted Dog Pet Grooming in Puyallup 6 years ago and then a second location in Bonney Lake last year. She earned her NCMG 2 years ago and is one of the founding members of WAPPG.

Kristen began grooming over 15 years ago, gaining experience from corporate and private grooming salons and veterinary medicine practice. She rose through the ranks of competitive grooming quickly, nominated for Barkleigh’s Up and Coming Groomer of the year for 2012, and was honored to be a part of GroomTeam USA. Currently, she is a part of an amazing mobile grooming team in Cary, NC. Her passions...

Malissa Conti-Diener is the owner of GetGroomified.com and TheOilyGroomer.com. Both focus on Holistic Pet Grooming, through education for both the groomer and the client. As a compassionate groomer and Master Lightworker, Malissas’ goal has always been to see the grooming experience from the pets perspective. Her main goal has always been to create an energetic connection with the animals she work...

Lara has been grooming for over 20 years and has owned her own salon for 8, adding a second location 1.5 years ago. She is an open division competition and NCMG. Lara is also a Pet Tech CPR & First Aid instructor who teaches that class as well as others all over the country. She also teaches a sustainable salon business class to help other salon owners sort out how to manage to take time away from...

As a lifelong dog lover, it only made sense to Leslie to choose a career where she could follow her passion and work with dogs. She graduated from grooming Academy in 1977 and become the 45th groomer in CA to become a National Certified Master Groomer (NCMG.) After owning a successful grooming boutique in Marin County, CA for almost 20 years, moved to Sonoma County and started a mobile grooming bu...

Melinda Hull began grooming 21 years ago, and has owned shops and house call grooming business over the years. Melinda has taught at a nationally known grooming school and dabbled in grooming contests and is now a Criminal Justice major and have plans to work with reentering citizens. She recently relocated from the Midwest to the PNW and splits her time between 3 salons and her own small house ca...

Carly D’Aoust is the owner of Continental Pet Company and Dogs Do Smile. Though she comes from an island of the west coast of Canada, she can be be seen often at grooming shows all around the US.

Mary interviews Jill Pipino. Jill has been a pet stylist for 23 years and currently owns a salon in upstate NY. She also works at Barkleigh’s trade shows as the Contest Ring Coordinator. When not working Jill enjoys spending time with her dogs outside.

In this special episode, Mary and Corina, who is gene positive for Huntingtons Disease, discuss how Corina will navigate this progressive disease.

Mary interviews Starr Lake, recently paroled from a Washington State Prison and graduate of their grooming program. She is transitioning into a viable member of our community.

From prison to celebrating the 6th anniversary of owning an award winning grooming shop. Listen to Mary Kniskerns amazing journey.

Meet Cindy of Scout And Zoes. AKA The Queen Of Novel Proteins.