Grooming Unleashed

**First off, I would like to personally apologize for the sound quality on MY END - I don't normally do video interviews, but when a production director with talents like Anthony Vargas want to do a video interview, it is hard to decline. However, with that being said, if you can look (hear) past the sound issues on my end, this is a great episode with lots of golden nuggets sprinkled throughout. **

Anthony "Tone" Vargas & Nina Anderson have really cooked up something special with their grooming education platform GROOMHAUS, even winning a Barkleigh Award in September of 2021 and being nominated for another. But, the term platform is used pretty loosely in social media circles, but what they have been working on is truly just that - Groomhaus 2.0.- Think Myspace for groomers - but cooler. They are in beta testing now. 

In Episode 2 of Season 2, I wanted to dive a bit more into what I feel are some mistakes that can be corrected with a little bit of investing, study, and self-reflection. 

No, I am NOT a groomer. However, I have been in a relationship with one for almost 10 years now (Happily married for 7+ of those years) and I have seen the ups and downs throughout those years of her stress, rewarding moments, and those moments where even she wanted to throw in the puppy towel. Although my wife does NOT work with corporate anymore (see Mistake #3), she still deals with other types of stress day in and day out, ESPECIALLY being a shop owner that still grooms every day. 

I look forward to seeing your comments. What you agree with, what you disagree with, and mistakes I definitely missed on this top 5 list. Again, this is just my opinion being around the shop on a weekly basis and living with someone every day that has (or is going through) these issues. 

This down-to-earth conversation is full of some useful information, light-hearted banter, and thoughts on how the industry can maybe change for the better here in America. Colin Taylor started grooming in an academy when he was only 16 years old and was whisked away to groom in Hong Kong just one year later. To check out Colin's bio is, well, like a movie. 

He has traveled the world as a speaker, groomer, and judge. He runs and operates Colin Taylor Grooming Acadamy, has been the inventor of multiple items (including the new Bowie comb), is a judge on the hit show Pooch Perfect, has served years on both Groom Team USA and Groom Team Scotland, and has won countless grooming prestigious awards. 

Enjoy this terrific episode with one of the industry's top male groomers in its rich history, Colin Taylor. 

Allison Brooks hasn't "done it all". 

In fact, Allison Brooks has barely been able to legally drink alcohol. Barely 22 years of age, she is working her tail off night and day to make a name for herself in the industry. Within the past 18 months, Allison has graduated from the grooming academy, ventured into her own grooming business, collected almost 5,000 Instagram followers, started her own Youtube channel, placed on a competitive grooming team called "The Loyalty Squad", and won 2nd place in the aptly named "Future of the Industry" behind her Loyalty Squad teammate Emily Landers. 

The future is bright with this one. Just don't tell her she can't do something because she will find a way... Enjoy the episode! 

Trying to get as much depth to you all out in the grooming world, I will be holding "mini episodes" with accountant (and my brother) Steven Alvarez on tax questions that you all may have. Whether you are a shop owner, individual groomer, mobile groomer, vendor, or other entity, you will benefit from these episodes answering important tax questions. 

This first episode is one you may read about countless times on grooming forums in regards to W2 or 1099 employees. Steven goes into detail about the difference of the two, the benefits of both, as well as the drawbacks of both. 

After more than three decades working in and improving the pet industry, Khris Berry is nowhere near ready to hang it up. 

This incredibly talented and inspiring young woman has been nominated (and won) countless times for some of the industry's prestigious awards. 

Author, Handler, Trainer, Groomer, Salon Owner, and most importantly, mother and wife, Khris explains the importance of groomer education and 

future of the industry, including how the projections of the future number of service individuals needed by the year 2026 are downright scary. Enjoy 

this episode with the living legend Khris Berry!

Enjoying the podcast? Please share this with your friends, coworkers, bosses, veterinarians, and other service-industry professionals. 

Grooming Unleashed - Episode 8 - Released 12/10/2019

From a bout with meth addiction to award-winning groomer, Blake Hernandez knows how it is to be near rock-bottom and be given a second a chance, like the dog that he rescued that changed his life forever. Blake loves the spotlight and he isn't afraid to let you know, but the spotlight adores him. If it is entertaining videos or educational ones, Blake isn't afraid to be himself - and that's what makes himso special. Blake has his hands in multiple successful business endeavors, and he discusses each one with great detail in this episode. 

Enjoy our episode with the multi-talented Blake Hernandez.

Starting at the age of 15, Jazare Alvarez was pretty sure she wanted nothing to do with grooming as a career. Fast forward 12 years and Jazare is now a rising talent in the grooming industry, taking first place finishes in IJA competitions and most recently, the NDGAA First Place choice for Intermediate Freestyle at the Orlando Fun In The Sun competition. 

Owning her own shop, a breeder of purebred standard poodles, a dog handler AND a mother of two, Jazare has a hectic life - but she still manages to find time to compete and show her dogs for conformation. 

With only a couple of years in competitive grooming, Jazare answers questions from you about getting into competitive grooming, what tools she uses, what her future goals are, and how she juggles being a mother of two young children and being on the road quite a bit. Enjoy this interview with Jazare Alvarez. 

Jazare can be followed and message on Instagram at @TheLoyalGroomer

Imagine that you are a teenager who is on your way to the Junior Pro Handling Championship in Westminster. You love dogs, but something is telling you there is more to this industry. You begin to practice through the owner of the same dog you are showing. A few years later, after deciding this is an industry you want to dive in since the financial world isn't doing it for you, you choose to try your hand at competitive grooming and in the same year, you figure you want to go after your Master's Grooming Certificate. Oh, and let's top it off with winning the up-and-coming groomer of the year award for 2019 - yes, ALL in the same year. This is the life of our next guest, the humble and talented Brian Cuoco. 

So if this all happened in one year, what is stopping YOU from giving it a shot? 

In Episode 3, which was slated to have my wife Jazare Alvarez on to discuss owning and running a salon until she became sick, I go over The Five Reasons Why you should go to a competition and trade show.  I discuss the calendar of some main shows to go in 2019 and 2020, and give some names of guests who will be on our show in the upcoming future.