Stephanie wanted to convey a professional impression from the very beginning, so she arrived at her appointment prepared and dressed the part. “I dressed nicely and had a contract and a payment plan,” says Stephanie. “People don’t like to see paperwork, but I wanted to make sure we agreed verbally and on paper.”

Word got around, and she quickly added dog walks, then dog boarding, and finally dog grooming. “I thought if I can walk them, I can board them, and ultimately groom them,” Stephanie recalls. “It was a home away from home for my clients’ pets, and exactly what my clients were looking for. People trusted me, and still do. I boarded dogs for about five years, but the demand became too much.”

During this time, Stephanie started taking night classes at a (no-longer-operational) dog grooming school in Manhattan. She currently works as an independent contractor at Paws in Paradise in Park Slope, Brooklyn and also offers in-home pet care for senior dogs.

“I have a handful of senior pets and senior clients, too, and they prefer to see their baby get groomed at home,” Stephanie shares. “They say grooming shops are noisy. It makes it easy on the owner because they don’t have to travel to a grooming salon. Most of them have a table, and all I do is take my tools, including the [arm] to secure the dog. I’ll recommend specific shampoos for their baby’s skin if needed.”

Stephanie’s philosophy is, “Dog grooming entails not only the fancy, beautiful cut; it takes patience, determination, focus, prayers, and a special gift of love for dogs. It is considered to be a form of art that allows the dog to be your canvas. Having a steady hand along with a good grip on your tools, with soft movements and gentle motions, you will begin to see the art revealing right before your eyes.”

A Native of Panama Republic of Panama, Stephanie grew up visiting relatives across the United States. She attended Department of Defense schools in Panama, too, which means she’s grown up bi-lingual and bi-cultural. Both are an asset as a New York resident. Since she speaks fluent Spanish, she can work with many Spanish-speaking pet parents.

Stephanie enjoys mentoring prospective groomers and wants to incorporate more mentoring and teaching in the coming year. “I’d like to do seminars with a Q&A,” she says. “Teaching face-to-face gives amazing feedback, and I’m researching options in NY. I also like reading about the pet industry and would like to write for the industry.”

She says she offers two pieces of advice for new groomers:

“First, ask yourself, ‘Can I commit myself to dog grooming for the long term?’ Also, if you start like I did as a dog walker, keep in mind there are four seasons throughout the year. Are you willing to walk in the snow, rain, and extreme heat?

“Second, don’t think about the money. The money will come. Focus on the grooming—the artistry. Make sure your work is done right. How would you treat your own dog? Every dog has a different personality. And learn how to handle those with physical disabilities.

“Sometimes you’ll feel like you aren’t getting anywhere,” she adds. “But don’t give up. Feelings and emotions are normal. They come with the territory. Stick with it.”

The future is bright for Stephanie in her new career path in dog grooming. She’s exploring teaching in 2024 and plans to continue to improve in her own grooming.

“There’s no reason to slow down. The reward is so valuable. Not just money-wise, but the trust. It puts a smile on your face every day,” she concludes.