Friday Programs

Do you dream of becoming an entrepreneur or managing a business? Are you a business owner struggling with direction and growth? Becoming fluent on the business end of the pet industry is an undertaking that's often overwhelming. This four-hour course is designed to guide you through starting your business and developing the tools needed to foster consistent long-term growth. Denise will cover how to start your business financially and legally; building your business brand and culture; designing employee handbooks, policies and procedures; and how to implement boundaries and develop communication skills to deliver good customer service and strong leadership.

Groomers have seen it all! Dandruff, flea dermatitis, and alopecia are some of the common skin issues we have seen in our shops, but how do we go about recommending proper treatment? With the correct knowledge, groomers can resolve or prevent most skin issues that we see. Groomers are the first line of defense for pets since we see them more frequently than a veterinarian. And now, with the limited access to veterinarians at present, groomers serve a key role in keeping pets’ skin and coat healthy.

In this course, Dr. Cliff will help you decipher which ailments are within your ability to treat and what truly needs to be seen by the veterinarian. Empower yourself and your salon with the confidence to act as a consultant to pet owners for common skin issues. This course is presented by a veterinarian that has treated hundreds of thousands of cases by partnering with the groomers he works with.

This presentation examines products used to speed up the bathing and grooming process. Products such as high-velocity dryers, detanglers, dematters, and conditioner used to reduce blow-dry time will all be discussed. Waterless foaming shampoo commonly used on the road, at the show, and on the go will also be reviewed.

You’re at a show and need new shears, but there are so many options! Straights, curves, convex edges, and bevel. What’s the difference anyway? Serrated, semi-convex and titanium-coated? Wait, what? Swivels should be held differently from non-swivel shears? Straights, curved, chunkers and thinners, swivels and non-swivels, the options are seemingly endless, how’s a groomer to choose? Never fear, we’ll cover all of this and more, including basic shear anatomy, types of steel used and how to care for your investment once you get it home. So, whether you’re a self-identified shear hoarder, just starting your collection, or want a better understanding of our favorite tool, this class is for you!

We spend so much money on our tools and equipment to do our job, but are you doing everything you can to keep them in tiptop shape to get the best finish possible? Our tools and equipment are our livelihood. Learn to how keep everything running smoothly and why it is so important to maintain upkeep. Mindy will walk you through daily to yearly maintenance to preserve that like-new feeling.

We struggle with de-shedding, de-matting, and de-tangling on a daily basis. Many opinions, techniques, tools, and products attempt to tackle these challenges, but we really need to understand some basic hair physiology and chemistry to select the best approach. Come observe coat damage, mats, tangles, and undercoat from several common coat types up-close as never seen before. Attendees will also learn how to safely release more shedding and mats while avoiding the risk of further coat damage and messes, eliminate pre-brushing and reduce stress, and create a much calmer environment by avoiding muscle strain and/or injury to you and your client dogs. Save time and earn more just by understanding the truth behind bad hair days!

Not sure what creative products you want to incorporate into your salon? Which brand to try? What do you charge? How long does it take to apply? Will it rub off on the furniture? How long does it last? Is it messy? Do I need special tools? How do I get it out of the dog’s coat? Should I have a release form? What creative products are good for mobile groomers? Creative gurus Angela Kumpe and Adriane Pope will answer all these questions and many more in this extremely informative class. If you offer creative styling or want to offer creative styling as an add-on service in your salon or mobile, don’t miss this class!

Join Milena as she dives into all the accessories that are out there and when they should be used. She will go over how to use them and why it should increase your revenue. She will also talk about whether accessories are worth the investment and which ones will work in your salon to help you and not be a wasted expense. From big and blingy to tiny and cute, let Milena help you choose which is right for you!

Do you want to add creative touches to your salon menu but don’t know where to start? Alyssa Kasiba of ABC’s Pooch Perfect will show you how to get creative with accessories—NO dye needed! Dipping your toes into the world of creative does not have to be scary! Alyssa will push your fears aside and show you ways to put a creative touch on every groom. Accessories are a simple way to add revenue to your salon, and with proper marketing, clients will request your creative touch.

In this class, creative legends Angela Kumpe and Adrian Pope will show you how fast and easy applying temporary color to your clients’ pets can be. They will cover three different designs during the class, with each design will be colored using different products and techniques, including airbrushing, blow pens, chalk, and more.

We still want the poodle to look stylish and royal, but some customers don’t want to come in as often or deal with that amount of coat. In the seminar, Jay will take a stylish competition trim and modify it down to an easily maintained pet trim and share some easy tips to still get that "poodle look" without taking the dog too short.

In this seminar, Charles will focus on the correct shear techniques and how to properly use different types of shears when grooming a double-coated breed, specifically a Pomeranian. He will guide and break down the process of achieving a perfectly finished look, emphasizing the right tools and methods to enhance the Pomeranian's coat. This seminar aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to create a professional and polished groom.

Melanie will demonstrate how to create an adorable, easy-to-maintain round muzzle that owners will love. She will also cover techniques for achieving proper rear angulation and show simple ways to trim under the neck to eliminate any “double chin” effect.

In the world of terriers, learn the proper way to groom wire-coated breeds for the pet owners. Handstripping is not just for show dogs! Victor will show you how to incorporate handstripping with your everyday terrier clients. You will see a live demo using the right tools for that terrier…don’t miss this seminar!

“Designer” breeds like doodles quickly became popular, and every groomer should know how to groom and maintain them. There is some challenge involved by deciding how to best groom them to accommodate and please your customers, while also making it easy to maintain for you and the owner. In this seminar, Jay will show you how to create a cute and stylish pet trim by using thinning shear and scissor techniques that are quick and easy to apply in your shop.

One of grooming's most misunderstood and most beautiful skills—handstripping and carding—can completely transform coat quality, color, and longevity. In this clear, confidence-boosting seminar, the Austins break down the why, when, and how of this traditional method in a way that's approachable and practical. You'll learn which dogs are ideal candidates and when handstripping isn't appropriate, essential tools and techniques from beginner basics to refined methods, how to maintain coat integrity while keeping the dog comfortable, common salon breeds that benefit from carding and stripping, and timing, workflow, and efficiency tips. This is a must-attend for groomers wanting to expand their technical skill set.

Bring your phone, we're making content! In this two-hour class, join Blake Hernandez for a look at how grooming techniques become social media content, from behind the grooming table to in front of the camera. The first part combines discussion, live grooming demonstrations, and content creation so you can see the process happen in real time, then it's your turn to create content with Blake, his demo dog, or your fellow groomers. Come ready to learn, get involved, and leave with something to post!

The success of a business is a direct reflection of its leader. This course will help you learn to embody the version of yourself that generates wealth, mindfulness, and joy in your business. This is not a class about budgeting, P&L sheets, or how much to save for taxes—it's about the magic of mindset and the way our beliefs and actions create our reality. In the first hour, attendees will learn Jess's concepts and practices that will help you cultivate a mindset so you can build a thriving healthy business, and the second hour will be a Q&A.