Groomers around the world inspire us. Their passion for pets and business consistently set the bar for the industry, which is why we'll be featuring stories from groomers like you in our monthly Barkmails. This month, we caught up with groomer Stacey Alourdas. Stacey co-owns Valley of the Paws Pet Grooming in Canoga Park, California, with her sister, Sheila Bailey.
GC: Tell us your grooming story.
SA: Six years ago, I was working for an insurance company – traveling, struggling – and I decided I was done with it. I’d always wanted to work with animals, and because I can’t have that many of them, I decided to find something to be around them. I interviewed for a retail clerk position at a PetSmart, and the manager asked me if I had ever considered grooming. I said, “That would be awesome, but don’t you have to go to a school?” He informed me that PetSmart sends you to a school. I was sold and became a groomer four months later.
GC: Tell us about Valley of the Paws Pet Grooming.
SA: While I was working at PetSmart, I already had it in my mind I was going to work for myself. So, I asked my sister, Sheila, if she wanted to join me in the adventure of grooming and opening up a grooming salon.
In 2018, Sheila and I formed Valley of the Paws Pet Grooming. We started out in my carport, which we converted into an outdoor salon. It was great, but it also had its bad moments. But we were doing it.
Before we knew it, we were growing, and a year and half later, we opened our shop in a retail shopping center. Our business exploded after that. We came in with 300 pups, and within two months after opening the store, it grew to over 500. Today, we are booked a month out. We have been so blessed with this business.
GC: What is it like to own a grooming business?
SA: It’s a lot of work, and it’s also rewarding. If you have a good staff, it’s a great business.
GC: On average, how many dogs/pets does Valley of the Paws bathe and/or groom in a day?
SA: Right now, because of COVID-19, it’s been difficult to get groomers and bathers, so it’s just been me, Sheila and a couple bathers. We have been averaging 20 dogs a day. We have done 25+ occasionally. We groom a lot of Doodles. I would say about 80 percent of our business is Doodles.
GC: What is your favorite part about grooming?
SA: The connection with the pups. I love that part. And then, making them look very cute.
GC: What are your go-to grooming products?
SA: We use the BatherBox System and the shampoos. We really like the products. No one has ever complained that their pup had a reaction, and they feel clean.
GC: What is the best grooming advice you’ve received?
SA: Enjoy what you do. Because if you don’t, it just becomes another job.
GC: Why do you choose to shop with Groomer’s Choice?
SA: We love the variety of products, the quick delivery and, most of all, the customer service. Everyone at Groomer’s Choice has been wonderful, especially our sales rep, Rebecca Sedlacek.
GC: Is there anything else you would like to add?
SA: Being a groomer has been one of the most rewarding jobs I’ve had. It’s also been the most challenging. I feel it’s been the best career change so far.
Keep up with Stacey, Sheila and Valley of the Paws Pet Grooming on Instagram and Facebook.
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