Featuring Professional Groomers From Around the Country and their insights on pet grooming.
PRIDE+GROOM is extremely proud to announce its groomer interview series. We are grateful for our growing professional pet grooming community. Dog grooming is not easy. Dog grooming has harsh conditions, long hours on their feet and demanding schedules. Groomers have supported our company from day one; testing products, giving feedback and making great suggestions for product development. We interview professional groomers from around the country and we want to share some of the best Groomers' experiences, advice about the grooming process, share their skills, grooming tools, customers' stories and much more.
Each month, we feature a new dog groomer interview and share their insights about the grooming process. Today, we had the opportunity to sit down with Pedro Colon, owner and master groomer for over 7 years atVery Important Pups By Maestro Pedro, in White House Station, New Jersey.
PG: How did you get your start in the grooming industry? How long have you been grooming professionally?
I had five dogs at one time, one of which was my service dog. I don't like to be separated from my service dog Troy so I started to teach myself how to groom. My friend who is agrooming shop owner let me do an apprenticeship at her salon where I perfected my skills.
PG: Do you have a favorite dog or cats breed that you’ve worked on, or a signature dog haircut, grooming process that you’ve developed or perfected?
My favorite breeds to work with are golden retrievers and Yorkies. Although I love most all breeds, Yorkies and Goldens are my favorite. I'm also kind of biased as I own a Yorkie and a golden retriever. I love hand stripping, not many groomers know how to nowadays.
PG: What do you look for in your grooming supplies? What are some of the lessons you have learned when sourcing dog grooming equipment?
I look for quality above all thing. Cheap products tend to be more expensive in the long run. When sourcing grooming tools I've learned to make sure I use the credit card that gives my tools and extended warranty.
PG: Do you have any favorite grooming tools and pets' product brands?
Artero make some of my favorites tools. Pride+Groom dog grooming products is what I use currently.
PG: Do you participate in competitive dog grooming?
Not yet, but I would love to.
PG: Can you please share one of your favorite photos of a dog or cat from your time as a professional groomer?
This is Lizzy. Lizzy was a pup who was recently adopted from the Somerset regional animal shelter. I volunteer my dog grooming services to the shelter pups so that they can get the same experience pups with homes get. Also to make them look more adoptable. Lizzy was an absolute sweetheart. I instantly fell in love with Lizzy. From the moment I grabbed her out of her pen to the moment I put her back she could not stop looking at me. She looked at me like she knew I loved her. I have tears in my eyes as I speak of her because God knows I wanted her in my life but circumstances wouldn't allow me. I was sad and happy to learn she was adopted. I hope she's living her best life. I will never forget Lizzy.
PG: What do you find most satisfying about being a professional dog groomer?
Seeing the transformation in mind, body, and spirit of the pups as they go through their beautification treatments.
PG: What advice would you give to new groomers just getting started in the dog groomer industry?
Don’t catch yourself up on the little things. It is always important to continue learning from yourself and other professional groomers, but don’t stress yourself out trying to make a dog look absolutely perfect right off the bat. It takes time to develop technique and skill, so be patient and have compassion for yourself and the dog when things don’t go the way you plan.
PG: What would you say are the top 3 qualities of a great dog groomer?
A dog groomer needs to be compassionate, attention to detail, humanity over vanity. Come into dog grooming with passion.
PG: What are three tips to being a successful professional dog groomer?
A professional dog groomer needs to be patient, transparent and charge their worth.
PG: What are the latest trends in pet grooming that newcomers to the industry should be aware of?
Haircoloring.
PG: As a professional dog groomer, what are some key tips to give dog owners about skin care and coat maintenance for their pets at home and how to make a professional dog grooming last.
First thing would be to follow a good diet. Dog owners should give their pets a supplement like fish oils helps with their coats. Most important I educate dog owners on how to comb and brush at home and what products to use.
WHO IS PRIDE+GROOM?
The very first clean beauty brand…for dogs!
PRIDE+GROOM is a female and minority owned all-natural pet grooming company born and bred in New York City. We designed our coat-specific dog shampoos with a light, fresh signature scent that says goodbye to the overwhelming fragrances currently in the dog grooming market. Our packaging and branding humanizes our pet products making them attractive and user friendly.
We offer wholesale pricing for professional use or resale, discover our producthere
Our company is rooted in our love for dogs and cats, and we’ve put all our energy into creating products that let us care for them, their coats and their skin in a way that is natural, nurturing, and specific. Our formulas are a unique blend of essential oils sourced from around the world. Each ingredient has a purpose. Like Marshmallow Root Oil, in our Non-Shedder, helps detangle and nourish those dogs, like doodles, with hair that grows and is prone to matting.
PRIDE+GROOM is deeply committed to giving back to the community. We developed our ONE FUR ALL conditioning shampoo that we have donated to over 1000 shelters around the country. This amounts to over 50,000 needy rescue dogs getting the PRIDE+GROOM treatment before heading to their forever homes for adoption.
