ue Zecco has become one of the most recognizable names in the pet grooming industry. Her legacy in the world of dogs stretches around the globe and her accomplishments are nothing short of amazing. Her impressive career began as a competitor on GroomTeam USA, including representing her country at the world competition in Europe, and eventually came full circle to being a judge at that very event. Proving herself as a strong businesswoman, Sue has owned and operated the largest pet grooming salon in Massachusetts since 1977, and her “Super Styling Sessions” educational video series with Jay Scruggs boasts one of the largest educational video libraries available. Sue took some time from her busy schedule to chat with me so I could share her incredible journey.

Jonathan: Hi Sue, thanks for chatting with me. Let’s talk about where it all started. Where did your journey in the pet grooming industry begin?

Sue: My journey in the pet grooming industry began when I was in high school working in a local boarding kennel. The man who owned the kennel needed help and threw a clipper in my hand and a dog on my table with absolutely no training. I was scared to death, but I got it done. So I guess my grooming career actually started in 1975. In 1977, I opened my own salon, The Pampered Pet, and shortly after that I went to my first professional grooming show. That show was run by the Massachusetts Association of Professional Dog Groomers which later changed to the New England Pet Grooming Professionals. I instantly became hooked on learning from all the seminars I went to. Then I tried the grooming contest and got second place in a large class of beginners. It was pretty awesome.

Jonathan: Speaking of competing, you’re a GroomTeam USA alumni. What is your favorite memory from your competition days?

Sue: Being on GroomTeam USA was truly a huge thrill for me. I’m a competitive person and I would like to consider myself a perfectionist as well, so going to competitions and getting critiques helped me so much. I would say in the first year of competing, my grooming improved 110%. I have so many wonderful memories of the years that I competed on GroomTeam, but my favorite memory that means the most to me was winning Intergroom’s “International Groomer of the Year” in 1998. Winning Intergroom was something I dreamed about every year. My mom used to say, “If you can see it in your dreams, it can come true!” I seriously used to have my Intergroom dream every year about a week before the show. After competing there for several years and never placing in the Poodle class, that year, not only did I place first, but I also won “Best American Groomer,” “World Champion Poodle Groomer” and “International Groomer of the Year!” But the very best part about this win was that my mom and my sister drove four hours to watch me compete and were there when I won. I distinctly remember the feeling when they called my name and I saw the look of pride on my mom’s face. She passed away two weeks after that show. Winning that day will always be my very special win, because of her.

Jonathan: Wow, that’s such an amazing memory! So you’re a successful salon owner and a global speaker, judge and educator. What fuels your continued success in this industry?

Sue: I know this may sound kind of corny, but I think what fuels my success is the feedback I get from all the groomers who tell me I’ve made a big impact in their lives. I think I’ve probably had as many people helping me in my career as those who were downright rude to me. I don’t ever want to be remembered as that rude person. I really enjoy teaching people that want to learn, and I remember being that first-time competitor, afraid to ask questions, so I try to make myself very approachable. I want groomers to know that they can reach out to me anytime and I’m happy to help if I can. The reward is watching the progress of the groomers who start at entry level and work their way up to GroomTeam.

Jonathan: And that’s why you’ve won multiple congeniality awards! Speaking of awards, you’ve received many awards individually, as well as for your collaborative educational videos with Jay Scruggs. What does being recognized for your success mean to you, and is there one award that stands out the most?  

Sue: I think every person has the need to feel validated in what they do. Being a dog groomer is not just a job for me, it’s my career. I put my heart and soul into what I do because I love the animals. I love what I have received from this industry, and to be recognized in any way is truly a huge honor for me. One award that I never expected to receive was given to me in Barcelona, Spain by the Arteros, a “Lifetime Achievement” award. I felt very blessed and honored to receive that. That was awesome validation! I have to say, every award I’ve received truly means a lot, but winning “Judge of the Year” is a special one because I feel it’s a very important job. I really do my best to be knowledgeable, honest and fair. It’s a tough job, but I’m always happy to give critiques because those are the steppingstones that make groomers better and better every time they compete.

Jonathan: So, judging is clearly a passion for you, but you also have a well-known passion for Standard Poodles. How did you get into the breed and what is it that captured your heart?

Sue: Don’t even get me going on my Poodles because I just go on and on! When I was a kid, I never in a million years thought I would own a Poodle. But, then along came my grooming career and my competition career, and the need to have a Poodle to practice on. I never dreamed they were the most wonderful breed in the world! Poodles give me so much love, joy, pride and happiness. I think it’s because they’re everything I could possibly want in a dog. They’re intelligent, funny, elegant, protective and totally devoted. I could not live without this breed in my life.

Jonathan: Your love for animals doesn’t end with dogs, you have a mini farm at home made up of your animal and human family. Tell me about life when you put the scissors down.

Sue: I grew up in the city of Worcester, Massachusetts, and always wanted to live in the country on a farm. Shortly after my husband, Ray, and I got married, we bought a piece of land in the country. On that piece of land, we eventually built the house of our dreams—a beautiful log home—and a barn for my beautiful Quarter Horse, Ahyoka. My sister and her husband live on one side of me, and on the other side are my son, his wife and my two grandchildren, Emily and Anthony, who are truly my greatest joy. There is nothing on earth like spending time with them. We call our little piece of heaven the “Zecco Compound.” I have dreams of a lot more animals whenever I get around to retiring. I would love goats, alpacas, a dairy cow and maybe even some chickens. Someday I believe it will happen; like my mother used to tell me, “If you can see it in your dreams, it can come true.”