Groomer to Groomer logo brown
Mackensie Murphy winner of groom expo west 2023 best in show sponsored by akc
Grooming Techniques to Go Green
3 Small Planet-Saving Changes You Can Make in Your Salon
Keeping the Spark Alive
How to Safely Use Essential Oils in Your Grooming Practice
April 2023
“The Grooming Industry’s Trade Magazine”
Barkleigh Pet Pro Cruise logo
Save the Date: September 16-21, 2023
5 Night Cruise to Bermuda
Rock cliffs with ocean in background in Bermuda
Bermuda coast at sunset with building and homes
Coast of Bermuda with lighthouse in forgreound and beach in background
Stay tuned for more information!

Contents | April 2023

by Jonathan David

6
Keeping The Spark Alive
by Daryl Conner
42
Editorial Staff
Editor/President
Todd Shelly
todd@barkleigh.com
Chief Operations Officer
Assistant Editor
Gwen Shelly
gwen@barkleigh.com
Managing Editor
Rebecca Shipman
rebecca@barkleigh.com
WEB MASTER
Luke Dumberth
luke@barkleigh.com
ART DIRECTOR
Laura Pennington
laura@barkleigh.com
SR. GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Brandi Aurelio
brandi@barkleigh.com
DIGITAL MARKETING
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Cassidy Ryman
cassidy@barkleigh.com
Marketing COORDINATOR
Allison Smith
allison@barkleigh.com
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & CLIENT RELATIONS
James Severs
james@barkleigh.com
ACCOUNT MANAGER/EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
Karin Grottola
karin@barkleigh.com
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Britany Smith
britany@barkleigh.com
Columnists
Kathy Hosler
Daryl Conner
Mary Oquendo
Jonathan David
Deborah Hansen
Dr. Cliff Faver
Jennifer Bishop-Jenkins
Blake Hernandez

ALSO INSIDE

ON THE COVER

Groomer to Groomer April 2023 Cover
Mackensie Murphy winner of Groom Expo West 2023 Best in Shop | Sponsored by AKC
Photo by Animal Photography
Copyright April 2023. Groomer to Groomer is published monthly by Barkleigh Productions, Inc, 970 West Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg PA 17055. Postmaster: Send change of address to Groomer to Groomer c/o Barkleigh Productions, Inc., 970 West Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg PA 17055. Annual U.S. subscription rate $25. Outside U.S. $79. year, surface rates. Groomer to Groomer is free to current Barkleigh Productions, Inc. customers. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. Editorial offices: 970 West Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg PA 17055. (717) 691–3388 FAX: (717) 691–3381 Email: info@barkleigh.com
But Why?
3 Small Planet-Saving
dog groomers building on top of the world
Changes You Can Make In Your Salon
by Jonathan David
T he pain of inflation has unfortunately hit all of us. Our grocery bills have leaped to insane amounts, gas prices have made us want to stay home more and the costs of running a business have mounted, forcing many to raise prices and trim budgets. I recently sat down and did a deep dive into my business expenses to see where I could squeeze some additional savings from the already tight budget. As I combed over my expenses, I was pleased to find that some previous changes I had implemented to save time and money were actually paying off. The extra perk was that not only was I able to save time and more of my hard-earned money, but I was also helping to lessen my impact on the environment. Some of the time- and money-saving practices I had implemented were in fact contributing to me doing better for our beloved earth.

But why would changes that help save me time and money also help save the environment?

Many associate “Going Green” with a feeling of personal gratification that they’re doing their part to preserve natural resources and lessen their environmental impact. Others associate the phrase with extreme life changes or doing without life’s conveniences. But, in reality, there are simple changes that we can all do that don’t impact our comforts or way of living.

There's no time like Spring to upgrade your shears!
E3 Evolution Logo
Unparalleled Performance Superior Comfort
Groomer’s Guide
Image of dog and title "The Knowledge Revolution Continues:" in groovy vintage font
"Myth Busting Canine Science"
by Jennifer Bishop-Jenkins
In a previous article, I spoke of the television show MythBusters in which scientists and Hollywood stunt men would test out some myth from popular culture with actual laboratory experiments. I noted that, in recent years, our grooming industry has been experiencing the game-changing impact of some real “myth-busting” science. It has changed us, but even more, it has been about the animals we care for.

There is always great insight to be gained when looking at historic and evolutionary changes over time. When I first started grooming over forty years ago, the general use of the internet was still almost two decades away. But now, the grooming industry is clearly in the midst of a real “Knowledge Revolution” that is beginning to change some very long-standing myth-based practices in how we groom dogs.

Salon Spotlight
Green Collar Grooming: title
Green Collar Grooming storefront, and a woman grooming a dog
It's Only Natural title
by Kathy Hosler
Photos by In Focus Photography
“Our clients get the best of both worlds at our all-natural grooming salon,” says Amber Lackey, founder/owner of Green Collar Grooming located in Waupun, Wisconsin. “Our holistic approach to handling and grooming techniques ensures that the dog can be comfortable during their groom, and all the products we use are good for the dogs and for the planet.”
Amber has had a lifelong love of dogs, so it was no surprise when she went to the Wisconsin School of Professional Pet Grooming and became a groomer. But, she also has a passion for gardening and herbs, and a real connection to the earth and caring for it. She recently completed a three-year herbalist apprenticeship in Wild Food and Herbal Medicine. Amber was able to intertwine both of her passions when she opened Green Collar Grooming.

“When I was planning to open my grooming salon, I researched blue collar businesses,” says Amber. “That’s when I discovered there were also green collar businesses. Their focus is to operate their businesses in an eco-friendly way. That really resonated with me and I immediately knew that Green Collar Grooming would be the perfect name for my environmentally responsible business.”

So, Amber took a leap of faith, went “green,” and never looked back. Green Collar Grooming has been in business for eight years.

Mary’s Musings
5 Important Business Lessons Learned
by Mary Oquendo
No one was more surprised than myself when I quit my job and put a deposit down on a mobile grooming van in 2001. But, what I had really done, was make my first decisive business decision.

In the early 2000s, mobile grooming was a young industry with no success stories…yet. I had no ones’ experience to draw from and knew next to nothing about starting or running a business. What I did have going for me was motivation, excitement and a willingness to learn.

As I look back over the years, I can identify some traits that contributed to the success of my business; some of these traits were a natural gift, but many others were a learned skill. Here are five of my business lessons…

Derm Connection
"Grooming Techniques to.." in yellow font
Go Green in green text
by Dr. Cliff Faver
One of the big trends or fads right now is “Going Green.” Upon hearing this, many think about going digital versus printing paper copies, shutting off lights when not necessary, recycling or not letting the water run when brushing your teeth; essentially, we are talking about working to conserve natural resources. But, if we want to apply the concept to a grooming salon, what would that look like?

First, we need to think about the areas where we use the most resources in our salon. Probably the two biggest resources are water and electricity which, on face value, would be hard to consider cutting back on either one of those. The good news is, it can be accomplished! However, it often requires changing old habits and learning new techniques.

Let’s start by looking at how we are using our products…

If any of you have attended my lectures, we teach several techniques that would be considered “Green.” The first is frothing your product. There is a lot of confusion, speculation and bad information that goes around the industry about why to froth. Frothing, in simple terms, is just a way of mixing the product to form a foam that will stay on the coat to prevent waste of product which, in turn, minimizes water use.

Pet Boarding Expo West logo
Go All In!
May 8-11, 2023
Horseshoe Las Vegas Hotel and Casino Las Vegas, Nevada
petboardingexpowest.com
Dog standing on different playing cards
May 8-11, 2023
Horseshoe Las Vegas Hotel and Casino Las Vegas, Nevada
petboardingexpowest.com
How to Safely Use Essential Oils in Your Grooming Practice typography
by Malissa Conti-Diener

For thousands of years, people have been harvesting and using the healing properties of essential oils. We know through research that the use of essential oils is listed in ancient texts and scrolls. As we gained medical knowledge over the ages, we moved away from the natural uses for essential oils to using synthetics for medicines, cleaning products and personal use. With more people taking on a natural approach to eating and living, essential oils have made a resurgence into our mainstream shopping staples like the grocery store and even the pet retailers. So, how do you use them in your grooming practice?

There is so much conflicting information out there. Essential oils are gaining popularity and are becoming topics of conversation between pet professionals. We all want to add these awesome little bottles of oil to our spa services menu, but how?

Let’s start with the basics…

Grooming Matters
Keeping the Spark Alive
by Daryl Conner
Pet groomers tap into many areas of talent to perform their work. Good groomers understand the differences between nearly 200 recognized dog breeds in the United States; they must have good customer service skills, an artist’s eye, business sense, and the ability to understand and shape animal behavior. They need to be able to use, maintain, and repair various tools and be physically strong enough to manage the work of lifting, carrying, and often moving large dogs. Groomers must have the patience to deal with very old, very young and sometimes untrained pets. They must possess some science and chemistry knowledge to understand what products to use to achieve the best results on individual pets’ skin and coat, and to keep their workplace sanitary and tidy.

So, with that being said, when we look at all the many layers of skills a good groomer must employ, it is easy to see why some report that they are tired, frazzled and burnt out by their jobs.

Kitty’s Corner
"Don't Shave My Cat!"
by Deborah Hansen
As the days become longer and warmer, cat owners will begin to notice how much dead coat is around their homes and the clients you have trained to look for signs of shedding and matting will be calling you soon. In the weeks to come, the majority of your new cat clientele will change from having a few mats to pelted cats. This is the time of year experienced groomers refer to as “Lion-Cut Season.”

To best help new clients with matted and pelted cats prevent future matting, you need to understand the process the family went through before they arrived with their pelted cat in front of you…

Elevate Your Grooming
Creative Carving on a Drop-Coat
by Blake Hernandez
After photo of Yorkie drop coat
After photo of Yorkie drop coat
Before photo of Yorkie drop coat
Coat carving is a fun and easy way to elevate even the most basic styles. Braxton here is an older Yorkie that needs a no-fuss haircut, but in a house amongst Poodles, he wants a fancy pattern all his own!

Before you start the groom, it’s important that the coat is prepped perfectly straight and laying down smoothly with the grain.

Yes, Dear…
Bella typography
Bella with bunny ears on for easter photos
by Anjie Coates
Photo by Anjie Coates
  • Bella is a Leonberger mix and a regular client of mine that is always smiling.
  • Scissors
    “OK, Bella, what do you say we get you finished?” I ask.
  • Dog
    “Eh, I’d rather nap,” Bella yawns.
  • Watercolor illustration of dog yawning
  • Scissors
    “You can nap later, dear. Your Grammy is expecting to pick you up soon, so we do need to get you done,” I remind her.
  • Dog
    Bella stretches languidly on the dry deck and then gives an all-over body shake: “OK, but do I get a treat for going?”
  • Watercolor illustration of dog stretching
Groom Expo West title
2023 Contest Results
PHOTOS BY ANIMAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Mackensie Murphy with sponsor AKC and a black dog

Best in Show

Mackensie Murphy
Show Schedule
Barkleigh Productions Inc.
Washington
Massachusetts
California
Nevada
Texas
Texas
Illinois
Ohio
Pennsylvania
New Jersey
california
groom expo west
February 2024
Pasadena, CA
www.groomexpowest.com
pennsylvania
groom expo
9/7/2023 – 9/10/2023
Hershey, PA
www.groomexpo.com


pet boarding & daycare
11/6/2023 – 11/9/2023
Hershey, PA
www.petboardingexpo.com
FOR MORE INFO
CONTACT US AT
(717) 691– 3388
illinois
all american grooming show
8/10/2023 – 8/13/2023
Schaumburg, IL
www.aagroom.com
new jersey
intergroom
March 2024
Secaucus, NJ
www.intergroom.com
washington
northwest grooming show
March 2024
Tacoma, WA
www.nwgroom.com
nevada
pet boarding & daycare West
5/8/2023 – 5/11/2023
Las Vegas, NV
www.petboardingexpowest.com
massachusetts
new england grooming show
9/28/2023 – 10/1/2023
Springfield, MA
www.newenglandgrooms.com
ohio
petquest
6/22/2023 – 6/25/2023
Wilmington, OH
www.pqgroom.com
texas
groom texas
7/21/2023 – 7/23/2023
Houston, TX
www.txgroom.com
florida
fun in the sun
10/12/2023 – 10/15/2023
Orlando, FL
www.fits.barkleigh.com
FOR MORE INFO
CONTACT US AT
(717) 691– 3388
New Products
Harvest Hills Biodegradable Waste Bags
Harvest Hills Premium Biodegradable Pet Waste Bags
Harvest Hills premium pet waste bags are the eco-friendly and sustainable solution for disposing of pet waste.
Petology 251:1 Disinfectants
New Petology 256:1 Disinfectants
Featuring five varieties, this new line of disinfectants will help keep your salon clean and smelling fresh.
Groomer to Groomer
Thanks for reading our April 2023 issue!