The Grooming Tutor

She was training in the Russian Army but now she is one of America's best imports. Dog Groomer extraordinaire, Olga Zabelinskaya has found her way to the top of the industry with a long list of titles, including 2 "Winners Circle Champion" awards. However, where she really shines is in educating others. Her "Modern Styles Around the World" magazine/DVD's has been helping groomers for years and her Zolitta brand grooming tools are some of the best around. Whether you are new or old to this business, crank up the volume because all Olga wants to do is share her love and knowledge of grooming with you.  

Michelle Breen started grooming her own Golden Retriever at age 10 and fortunately for her, the neighbors started to notice. She was able to pay her way through college by grooming and has never stopped. Michelle's story is so innocent but so inspiring for anyone interested in getting into this field. She shares her lessons learned and it will help to get you started on the right foot. Her Salon, Best in Show Grooming in Cincinnati, no relation to the Movie, keeps her busy when she is not competing. But she is getting ready for her third appearance at the World Championships. What a career. What a Groomer!

This legend in the world of Dog Grooming has done it all and was most recently named the 2021 Barkley Honors Groomer of the year. MacKensie Murphy is in a class by herself but she wants to be in a class with you. In this episode she talks about her path to the top and how now she wants to educate other groomers world wide. One way she has started to do that is through Iowa Lakes Community College where you can take FREE classes on how to become a Dog Groomer. This may be the most important podcast you ever listen to.

Work Hard, Play Hard. That's the motto that Amber Lewin lives by. She and her husband have multiple Mobile Pet Salons and in 2009 they opened their Luxury Pet Hotel and Spa. 9 Years later, it was time for Amberspet.com where you can find every thing in dog grooming and pet supplies. But just because she works 27 hours a day doesn't mean she can't look great while doing it. She has perfected the art of making herself and dogs look magnificent. She shares the secrets in this episode.  

With nearly 45 years of experience in the business, Sue Zecco has learned this about herself: she's not a good boss. That is if you consider a good boss to be a B-I-T-C-H. Sue has done it her way over the years and with that been able to love her employees and love what she does. It is also why she is one of the most respected and awarded groomers in the business. This episode is an honest look at how she has done it her way.

Jackie Boulton is one of the greatest Dog Groomers Canada has ever produced, eh. She got things started with her sister in the 80's and hasn't looked back. Since 1992, she has medalled over 60 times in competition and won the title of Best International Groomer an unprecedented 8 times. Prior to Covid, she was the #1 ranked Groomer in Canada four years in a row and hopes to return with TeamCanada to competition this year.

Lisa Leady didn't want to follow in the family footsteps but it was expected, because both her mother and grandmother were in the business. "I don't ever want to groom a dog as long as I live!" Forced to work at her families shop as a young girl, she eventually moved away and got married, only to find herself missing the dogs. Grandmas always seem to know don't they? Now the owner of Primp my Pooch salon, Lisa has been a Groom Team USA member  traveled the world and actually played a large role in Michell's development. She spends much of her time now speaking, teaching and judging grooming shows and enjoys the simple life with her husband and business partner Eric. 

If you have been in this business for more than a month, you know of our guest, Scott Wasserman. Why? Because he is the author of "The Art of Hand Stripping". If you don't have it, listen to the podcast first then go get it. Scott has won Best Pet Stylist in Show at the US Pet Pro twice. He has also grabbed the coveted Intergroom International Groomer of the year award, all the while maintaining a approach that everyone can love, even Michell. 

Dog Groomers have a passion for their work unlike most others and Dawn Omboy is no exception. The past two years have been a struggle, overcoming Breast Cancer and Chemo plus Open Heart Surgery in 2021. Still she was back in the shop two months after being operated on and grooming 5 dogs. She has had an amazing career up to this point, and now it is the Dawning of a new Day for her. Nobody and nothing can seem to slow down the Queen of Color who still is the Icon of the Industry when it comes to being a creative. In Shop Talk, Michell talks about scheduling out for an entire year, the pluses and minuses.

If Dog Grooming is so hard, then why is Dog Grooming Simplified one of the best selling dog grooming books available? Because Jodi Murphy is the one who wrote it. This world renowned dog groomer who has won World Championships in Spain and Italy is one of the most down to earth people you will meet. As busy as her life is with dog grooming, she keeps it simple. Learn about the journey that started with the simple act of getting her foot in the door and hasn't ended yet. Jodi is a joy to talk with and she shares the simple approach to being a great groomer. 

Being at the highest level of Dog Grooming and having a balanced family life is not easy. It's even more challenging to start a career, get to the top, step away to get married and have children and then get back in the ring and win again. However, that's exactly what Tammy Siert did. It's a wonderful story of passion for Dog Grooming and the perseverance to become great again. Though if you ask us who know her, when was she not great? 

Time for Michell to leave the mainland to have a chat with Puerto Rico's best Groomer: Team USA Hall of Famer, Victor Rosado. Maybe you have heard him speak, or used his EDUGROOM educational series, either way if you are into grooming, you are into Victor. His story is inspirational and with more than 100 awards for Sporting, Handstripping, Scissored Breeds and Poodles, his abilities speak for themselves.

If actions speak louder than words, how loud are Gold Medals? Our guest has 3 of them along with 2 Silvers in the last 5 World Team Grooming Championships. Lindsey Dicken joins us to talk about her career path and how she ultimately started on a Vet stage but wound up on the world stage. Her success has come with Bichons and miniature poodles on the table, but really it doesn't matter what you hand her, Lindsey will make it beautiful.

30 years in the Dog Grooming industry has taught Sharon Hall alot, but maybe it's what she has taught Australians that is most important. Sharon and Deb Ryan formed the International Grooming Company back in 2010 and this nationally recognized grooming program and online assessment program changed the game for the Aussies. Now they could all reach their highest levels. A regular on the Australian World Grooming team over the past 10 years, Sharon shares her story of how she has been able to show and title so many different breeds of dogs.

If you have ever desired to be a creative groomer, at some point you must have heard of Lori Craig. Just the name of her Grooming shop alone is enough to help showcase her "mad" skills. She started grooming in 1995 in hopes of following her Grandmother's footsteps, and with 5 Groomer to Groomer covers, multiple Barkleigh honors, including Best All time cover, she has done just that. This proud member of the Wahl team teaches and judges creative styling around the world.

One moment changed Judy Hudson's life. It was when she found out the Groomers where she worked were making more money than the Vets. So she discarded her Vet Tech degree and made it her mission to become one of the best Groomers in the world. With multiple Best in Show and Best All-Around Groomer awards behind her, Judy has staked her claim as someone you need to know. In this episode, you will learn about what really drives her, and by that I mean how she gets around, plus why paying attention to what and who is around you is so important. Without that ability, she might still be a Vet and not a sought after speaker and contest grooming judge.

One might not suspect that Dog Grooming needs laws and regulations, but it does. So who better to lead this group than Teri DiMarino? She may not have known much at the start but quickly adapted as she has done throughout her career. Now, as the current President of the California Professional Pet Groomers Association, Inc. she tells the stories of bills, including SB 969, that would have crippled the grooming industry in California if not for Teri and her team.

Usually when you pick up your dog from the groomer, you expect a nice clean cut. But with the help of Cat Olson, you can get something beyond your wildest dreams. Recently, she took her standard poodle's head and turned it into a spitting image of Big Bird and his butt into Elmo. She might call herself more of a Hair Dresser, but her journey to the top of Dog grooming has been full of TV appearances (including 4 on Jimmy Kimmel Live!) Cat is an exceptional talent, storyteller and avid gameshow participant. Which one was she on? Here's a hint, she had to lie alot...

Anne has been a professional pet stylist since 1995 when she joined the Village Groomer and Pet Supply in Walpole, Mass. Her instructional articles via "The Grooming Table" have led her to be named Journalist of the Year. As a member of GroomTeam USA for 3 years, she now sits on their Board of Directors but that doesn't stop her from sharing her knowledge worldwide as an international educator for the Andis Company. And to think that her career got started only to get her parents off her back! 

She is a 3X medalist for GroomTeam USA and one of the most well known and loved Groomers in America, but she didn't start there. Find out how it all began for Pina, what her best memories are from the World Championships, why she loves judging and thinks it's important for every groomer. Plus she does have people who have been influential in her career, who were they and if you stick around you can hear the story about the two of us creating trouble in Barcelona.

Barb, who is the founder of Mastergroom Canada, talks about how she got started in the business her experiences on the Canadian Groom team, and as a judge for the World Team Championships. The owner of Doggy Style Salon in Calgary, Alberta, Barb's illustrious career includes several Gold and Silver medals, Best in Show and Best All-Around Groomer at prestigious grooming contests around the world. Stick around to hear about her newest challenge, a brand new puppy and maybe a story or two about Michell from a trip to London.

An industry veteran, Teri has owned and operated successful salons and mobiles in Florida and California. An award winning grooming contest competitor, Teri was a member of three GroomTeam USA Gold Medal teams. A multi Barkleigh Honors and Cardinal Crystal Award winner, Teri is a popular speaker and judge at seminars and trade shows across the United States, Canada, Europe, South America, China, Korea and Australia. Teri is also the recipient of the coveted American Kennel Club's Leadership Award. Co-Founder, President and show chair of the Boca Raton Dog Club in Florida, Teri's dog show career included Dobermans and Tibetan Terriers in the breed and obedience ring.