EDITOR’S NOTE: PETS+ is the media partner for GROOM’D, the annual grooming-focused pet trade show presented by World Pet Association. The PETS+ team will be reporting live from Atlanta, GA, Friday through Sunday. To not miss any of the action, like our Facebook page and sign up for the daily GROOM’D ebulletin at petsplusmag.com/subscribe.
GROOM’D Seminar Snippets: In this session, Chris Anthony, owner of Have Shears Will Travel, discussed why making mistakes is vital for growth. She shared a few funny grooming situations she learned from throughout her years working for a large corporation and a touching personal story. Some of life’s biggest lessons are learned when we make mistakes, and Anthony’s message was clear: “If you don’t make mistakes, how can you ever learn anything?”
- Communication. One topic that attendees could relate to was learning to effectively communicate with clients to make sure that what they were asking for was really what they wanted and expected. Anthony shared the story of a new client who came in and wanted her to “Use a 5” on her Westie, not knowing that the woman’s previous groomer used shears for humans instead of grooming shears. Using active listening and rephrasing client expectations to make sure you’re on the same page is important!
- Pick your battles. Sometimes, management asks you to do (or not to do) things you disagree with. Is arguing about it worth dying on the sword for? Will arguing and winning put you in a better or worse spot?
- Not taking paid time off (PTO). If you’re a business owner, you have more flexibility in your schedule. But if you work for a small business or corporation, asking for and taking time off can make you feel guilty. Anthony shared the story of her sister asking her for help years ago and Chris telling her sister she couldn’t help her because she couldn’t miss work. “Did the corporation lose because a few dogs didn’t get groomed? No, but I did because I didn’t get to take the PTO with me when I left that job, and my sister is no longer here.” PTO is essential to your mental health, and you should use it. Everybody needs time to relax and enjoy time with family … without the guilt.
