In this episode, Bill chats with Pam Rowley of Best Friends Pets as she celebrates an incredible 40 years in dog grooming. From starting out in the days of “poodle parlours”, Yellow Pages adverts and hand shears, to becoming an educator, examiner and long-standing business owner, Pam shares a fascinating look at how the grooming industry has changed over the decades.

This conversation explores the evolution of grooming equipment, training, customer expectations, marketing, pricing and professionalism. Pam also shares honest reflections on what it takes to build confidence as a groomer, charge your worth, adapt as the industry changes, and keep your passion for dogs at the heart of your business.

A brilliant episode for groomers who want perspective, reassurance and a reminder that grooming can be a long-term, rewarding and well-paid career when you believe in your skills and treat yourself as a professional.

As always, I'd like to thank the podcast sponsor, Lopay, the low-cost payment platform that helps you keep more of the money you earn.

You can find out more and sign up for Lopay here:

https://merchant.lopay.app/ref/PETPASSION2500

Listeners of this podcast get £2500 of fee-free transactions.

And if you’d like support building a stronger, more profitable grooming business, visit:

https://petpassiontoprofit.com/

In this episode, Bill is joined by Mia Overnas and Carola from GroomerDK UK to talk about their upcoming book, The Hairy Universe of Hand Stripping.

Together, they explore why hand stripping is such an important but often misunderstood grooming technique, and why it is at risk of becoming a dying art. Mia and Carola share the inspiration behind the book, the knowledge gaps they see in the grooming industry, and why understanding the science behind coat care can give groomers more confidence with both dogs and their owners.

The conversation covers everything from coat anatomy, genetics, common myths, pricing hand stripping properly, working with breeders, managing client expectations, and why groomers need reliable education rather than just opinion-led advice from social media.

Whether you are a groomer wanting to build confidence with hand stripping, an owner of a hand-stripped breed, or simply passionate about preserving specialist grooming skills, this episode is packed with insight, encouragement, and plenty of “don’t panic” moments.

To order the book on release visit their website or the Great British Bookshop and https://groomerdkusa.com/ (US Purchases)

As always, I'd like to thank the podcast sponsor, Lopay, the low-cost payment platform that helps you keep more of the money you earn.

You can find out more and sign up for Lopay here:

https://merchant.lopay.app/ref/PETPASSION2500

Listeners of this podcast get £2500 of fee-free transactions.

And if you’d like support building a stronger, more profitable grooming business, visit:

https://petpassiontoprofit.com/

In this episode, Bill is joined by Katie Darcey from Katie Grooms Dogs for a colourful conversation about life as a dog groomer, building confidence in your pricing, setting boundaries, and finding your own path in the industry.

Katie shares her journey from canine hydrotherapy into grooming, her experience in corporate salons, and how she built her own business after relocating to Devon. She talks openly about charging properly, choosing the right clients, protecting your body and your time, and why pricing your work well can give you more freedom in both business and life.

The conversation also dives into Katie’s world of creative grooming, including how her poodle Joey became known for his bold, colourful designs, what goes into planning creative grooms, and why safety, product knowledge, coat condition, and the dog’s temperament all matter.

Katie also shares tips for left-handed groomers, the importance of great prep work, handling dogs safely, and what groomers can expect from her one-to-one training and creative grooming workshops.

A fun, honest and inspiring episode for groomers who want to grow their skills, charge with more confidence, and maybe even add a little colour along the way.

Find Katie online here:

https://www.facebook.com/p/Katie-Grooms-Dogs-Grooming-Education-by-Katie-100090731677949/

https://www.instagram.com/katie.grooms.dogs/

As always, I'd like to thank the podcast sponsor, Lopay, the low-cost payment platform that helps you keep more of the money you earn.

You can find out more and sign up for Lopay here:

https://merchant.lopay.app/ref/PETPASSION2500

Listeners of this podcast get £2500 of fee-free transactions.

And if you’d like support building a stronger, more profitable grooming business, visit:

https://petpassiontoprofit.com/

In this episode, Bill is joined by Vicky Clark from The Pet Accountant for a no-nonsense conversation about pricing, profit, numbers, and the realities of running a pet business.

They dive into why pet professionals need to stop copying everyone else’s prices, why small £3 or £5 increases often are not enough, and why knowing your numbers is essential if you want to build a sustainable business. Vicki shares her thoughts on pricing properly, working with the right clients, breaking through the VAT threshold, and why Making Tax Digital may be more “Making Tax Difficult” for many business owners.

Bill and Vicki also chat about Crufts, trade stands, strange encounters behind the stand, the value of networking, and what pet professionals can expect from this year’s Pet Pro Expo in Birmingham.

Expect plenty of laughs, honest opinions, business lessons, and practical reminders that if you want to grow your pet business, you need to understand your numbers, charge properly, and surround yourself with people who push you forward.

As always, I'd like to thank the podcast sponsor, Lopay, the low-cost payment platform that helps you keep more of the money you earn.

You can find out more and sign up for Lopay here:

https://merchant.lopay.app/ref/PETPASSION2500

Listeners of this podcast get £2500 of fee-free transactions.

And if you’d like support building a stronger, more profitable grooming business, visit:

https://petpassiontoprofit.com/

In this episode, Bill sits down with Shayla Knipe and Chris Phillips from Stylish Canine in Australia https://www.stylishcanine.com.au/ for an honest and inspiring conversation about pricing, perception of value, burnout, customer experience, and what it really takes to build a premium grooming business.

Shayla shares her incredible 20+ year journey through the animal industry — starting as a veterinary nurse before becoming one of Australia’s most recognised and awarded canine stylists. Her passion for learning led her into canine psychology, nutrition, handling, grooming competitions, and eventually onto the world stage representing Australia in Belgium at the World Grooming Championships as the Australian Groom Team Terrier Specialist.

Listeners may also recognise Shayla from Channel 7’s Pooch Perfect with Rebel Wilson, where she showcased the skill, pressure, and artistry required to compete at the highest level of dog grooming.

Alongside Chris — whose background in customer service and business helped shape the Stylish Canine brand — the conversation dives deep into the realities of running grooming salons, managing teams, overcoming burnout, and learning how to charge properly for the value you provide.

Together they discuss:

• Why groomers undervalue themselves
• The mindset shift behind premium pricing
• Understanding customer perception of value
• Creating luxury experiences without unnecessary expense
• Building salon culture and customer loyalty
• Managing burnout and overbooking
• Learning from business mistakes and financial challenges
• Mentorship, mindset, and continual growth
• Why community matters more than trophies

Shayla also opens up about stepping away from the traditional high-volume salon model in 2026 to return to her roots — creating a private studio focused on quiet artistry, education, mentorship, and raising the next generation of leaders within the grooming industry.

This episode is packed with practical business insight, real-life experience, and powerful mindset shifts for groomers who want to grow sustainably while creating a business they truly love.

For more information and contact links for Shayla & Chris please visit the website https://www.shaylaknipe.com.au/

As always, I'd like to thank the podcast sponsor, Lopay, the low-cost payment platform that helps you keep more of the money you earn.

You can find out more and sign up for Lopay here:

https://merchant.lopay.app/ref/PETPASSION2500

Listeners of this podcast get £2500 of fee-free transactions.

And if you’d like support building a stronger, more profitable grooming business, visit:

https://petpassiontoprofit.com/

If this episode inspired you to take control of your pricing and finances, make sure you subscribe and share it with another groomer who’s ready to level up. 🐾

What does it really take to turn grooming into a profitable, flexible business?

In this episode, Bill continues the conversation with Amy and Matt from Hazel Grove Hound and Feline, diving deeper into how they built a successful grooming business after leaving their careers as electricians.

This time, the focus is on the numbers, decisions and mindset shifts that helped them go from uncertainty to confidence.

They share:

• How they overcame fear around pricing and charging properly
• The importance of understanding your business finances
• How raising prices didn’t lose them clients – but improved the business
• Why adding services like cat grooming and teeth cleaning made a difference
• How they’ve managed to work fewer days while earning more

One of the biggest lessons from this episode is that success in grooming isn’t just about skill – it’s about running your business properly.

Amy and Matt show that when you understand your numbers, price correctly and adapt your services, you can build a business that gives you both financial stability and personal freedom.

If you’re feeling stuck, underpaid or overworked, this episode will give you a clear example of what’s possible with the right approach.

As always, I'd like to thank the podcast sponsor, Lopay, the low-cost payment platform that helps you keep more of the money you earn.

You can find out more and sign up for Lopay here:

https://merchant.lopay.app/ref/PETPASSION2500

Listeners of this podcast get £2500 of fee-free transactions.

And if you’d like support building a stronger, more profitable grooming business, visit:

https://petpassiontoprofit.com/

If this episode inspired you to take control of your pricing and finances, make sure you subscribe and share it with another groomer who’s ready to level up. 🐾

As pet groomers, we work with people from all walks of life – and that includes families navigating challenges we may not always see or fully understand.

In this episode, Bill is joined by Danielle Gardner to talk about the realities of being a parent to a child with special educational needs (SEN).

While this might feel outside the usual “business” conversation, it’s an important one – because understanding your clients better helps you run a more compassionate, professional and inclusive grooming business.

Danielle shares her personal journey and opens up about:

• The emotional and practical challenges of raising a child with SEN
• Why everyday tasks can be more complex than they appear
• The importance of patience, understanding and flexibility
• How support networks can make a huge difference
• Why parents often have to advocate strongly for their children

For groomers, this episode is a reminder that behind every booking is a person with their own story.

Something as simple as clear communication, kindness or flexibility with appointments can make a real difference to families dealing with additional pressures.

It also highlights the importance of looking after your own wellbeing – because you can’t support others effectively if you’re burnt out yourself.

This is a powerful conversation that encourages empathy, awareness and a more human approach to running your business.

As always, I'd like to thank the podcast sponsor, Lopay, the low-cost payment platform that helps you keep more of the money you earn.

You can find out more and sign up for Lopay here:

https://merchant.lopay.app/ref/PETPASSION2500

Listeners of this podcast get £2500 of fee-free transactions.

And if you’d like support building a stronger, more understanding and more profitable grooming business, visit:

https://petpassiontoprofit.com/

If this episode gave you a new perspective, make sure you subscribe and share it with another groomer who cares about creating a better client experience. 🐾

Think TikTok isn’t for you? Think again.

In this episode, Bill is joined by Ciara Attwell to break down how pet groomers can actually use TikTok to grow their business – without feeling awkward or overwhelmed.

Ciara shares her journey from complete beginner to building a strong online presence, and explains how groomers can do the same using what they already do every day in the salon.

They cover:

• Why TikTok is a powerful tool for attracting new clients
• The importance of posting consistently (even if it’s simple content)
• Why engagement matters more than follower numbers
• How to turn everyday grooming into content ideas
• Using trends and current topics to boost visibility

The key message? You don’t need to go viral or be “perfect” – you just need to show up regularly and be real.

For groomers, TikTok can be one of the easiest ways to build trust, showcase your work and stand out locally.

If you’ve been unsure where to start with social media, this episode will give you the confidence and clarity to give it a go.

As always, I'd like to thank the podcast sponsor, Lopay, the low-cost payment platform that helps you keep more of the money you earn.

You can find out more and sign up for Lopay here:

https://merchant.lopay.app/ref/PETPASSION2500

Listeners of this podcast get £2500 of fee-free transactions.

And if you’d like support building a stronger, more profitable grooming business, visit:

https://petpassiontoprofit.com/

If this episode gave you the push to start posting, make sure you subscribe and share it with another groomer who’s ready to grow their visibility online. 🐾