--- title: "VIG Spotlight: Nellie Dunlap" description: This month's Very Important Groomer Spotlight features Nellie Dunlap. Read their grooming story, favorite thing about being a groomer and lots more. image: https://blog.groomerschoice.com/hubfs/June%202023%20-%20Nellie%20Dunlap.png --- Free Shipping on Qualifying Orders $99+ phone: [888-364-6242](tel:888-364-6242) ![](https://blog.groomerschoice.com/hubfs/June%202023%20-%20Nellie%20Dunlap.png) # VIG Spotlight: Nellie Dunlap Published by [ Megan Turner, Marketing Content Specialist ](https://blog.groomerschoice.com/author/megan-turner-marketing-content-specialist) on Jun 19, 2023 12:00:00 AM 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 VIGs - very important groomers - like you. This month's spotlight features [Nellie Dunlap](https://www.instagram.com/k9freshcuts/) from San Antonio, Texas. GC: Tell us your grooming story. ![Nellie Dunlap - 2](https://blog.groomerschoice.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Nellie%20Dunlap%20-%202.jpg?width=316&height=421&name=Nellie%20Dunlap%20-%202.jpg) ND:  I have always loved animals. My first job at the age of 15 was as a kennel tech at a vet, and I learned so much, including how to handle dogs. I also bathed dogs and loved the bond it created with them. After 10 years, I decided to move on to the health field with people, but I missed being able to spend time with dogs. In the end of 2020, I decided to start my own grooming business. It took a good year to get clients and lots of hard work. I started with one pair of clippers and three pairs of scissors. Now, I have my own home salon that's growing more than ever and all the tools and necessities to be a successful groomer.  GC: What interested you in becoming a dog groomer? ND: I love helping people and animating feels good. Even if it’s only for two hours, you grow a bond with dogs, and I personally find it therapeutic. And it’s so rewarding seeing a scruffy dirty dog turn into a soft, fluffy and shiny pup! GC: Do you have a favorite breed to groom? If so, why are they your favorite? ND: I love grooming any type of doodle. I just love their personalities and love seeing how fluffy they get. There are many styles as well for a doodle.  GC: Can you tell us more about K9freshcuts? ND: I groom part-time typically Friday through Sunday. On average I’ll groom two to three dogs a day. As a home-based groomer, it's all one-on-one with no kennels, and I like to take my time and give them all the attention. The more they come to me, I feel the bond gets better and stronger.  I also love sending updates and cute photos of the grooming process to pet parents throughout the groom. (You don’t always get that at a huge, busy salon.) GC: What is your favorite thing about being a groomer? ![Nellie Dunlap- 3](https://blog.groomerschoice.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Nellie%20Dunlap-%203.jpeg?width=316&height=421&name=Nellie%20Dunlap-%203.jpeg) ND: I wish I could groom full-time but even just grooming part-time does take a toll on my body. Having more than four dogs a day for me can be very tiring.  Having a prosthetic leg doesn’t stop me, but it does tire me out standing for long periods of time. I have to remember at times to sit and take a break. So, for now part-time grooming is what I can do. But I do not let physical disabilities get in the way. I still push and strive to be the best person I can be, and I love to inspire others. GC: What is your favorite thing about being a groomer? ND: Being able to share my experience and photos and videos of before and after of my grooms. Every now and then, I go back to see how I started and where I’m at, and I'm just so blessed to be where I’m at.  GC: What is the best piece of grooming advice you've received? ND: Never give up. GC: What would you say to someone interested in becoming a groomer? ND: It takes time to start and grow a business. Learning is the best thing. You’ll have good days and bad days but keep striving and keep your head up!  GC: Why do you choose to shop with Groomer's Choice? ND: Great quality products and fast shipping. My No. 1 choice.  *Keep up with Nellie and [K9freshcuts](https://k9freshcuts2020.wixsite.com/k9freshcuts) on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/k9freshcuts), [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@k9freshcuts2020?lang=en) and [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/k9freshcuts/).* --- Are you a groomer or pet professional? Want to be featured in a future Groomer's Choice blog post or magazine? [Submit your grooming story](https://groomerschoice-5122159.hs-sites.com/story?__hstc=86464327.e48975b4796ed0ce12adbe683b7a6887.1601910621693.1657733226115.1657826769702.1615&__hssc=86464327.3.1657826769702&__hsfp=514928620)! 💜 Tags: [Groomer Spotlight](https://blog.groomerschoice.com/tag/groomer-spotlight), [Dog Grooming](https://blog.groomerschoice.com/tag/dog-grooming), [Pet Grooming](https://blog.groomerschoice.com/tag/pet-grooming) [Back to Blog](https://blog.groomerschoice.com) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ## Related Articles ## [VIG Spotlight: Jacque Opp](https://blog.groomerschoice.com/vig-spotlight-jacque-opp) Groomers around the world inspire us. Their passion for pets and business consistently set the bar... [Read More ](https://blog.groomerschoice.com/vig-spotlight-jacque-opp) ## [VIG Spotlight: Kirsten Althouse](https://blog.groomerschoice.com/vig-spotlight-kirsten-althouse) Groomers around the world inspire us. Their passion for pets and business consistently set the bar... [Read More ](https://blog.groomerschoice.com/vig-spotlight-kirsten-althouse) ## [VIG Spotlight: Natalia Flores](https://blog.groomerschoice.com/vig-spotlight-natalia-flores) Groomers around the world inspire us. Their passion for pets and business consistently set the bar... [Read More ](https://blog.groomerschoice.com/vig-spotlight-natalia-flores) [![Groomer's Choice](https://blog.groomerschoice.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/SenprocoTrial_September2021/images/footer%20logo.png?width=571&height=583&name=footer%20logo.png "Groomer's Choice")](https://www.groomerschoice.com) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Megan Turner, Marketing Content Specialist", "url" : "https://blog.groomerschoice.com/author/megan-turner-marketing-content-specialist" }, "dateModified" : "2023-06-19T05:00:00.510Z", "datePublished" : "2023-06-19T05:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "VIG Spotlight: Nellie Dunlap", "image" : [ "https://blog.groomerschoice.com/hubfs/June%202023%20-%20Nellie%20Dunlap.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.groomerschoice.com/vig-spotlight-nellie-dunlap", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.groomerschoice.com/hubfs/GroomersChoice-PrimaryLogo-Color-RGB-V2.png" }, "name" : "Groomer's Choice, a Senproco Inc Company" } } ```