Articles by Ryans Pet

You?ve been there before. Client comes into your shop and is trying to explain away some problem with their dog that usually boils down to they weren?t taking time to brush their dog, etc. No shade, that?s why we as groomers are here to help! But wouldn?t it be nice if the owner DIDN?T try to lie their way out of their shame? Wouldn?t it be nice if they were just honest? However, it does make for some pretty interesting stories ?

While working in the pet salon I was getting a lot of good comments from clients and other groomers and that pushed me to step out of my comfort zone and take another step in my career which was grooming competitions. When I competed for the first time it was really stressful because I didn't know how everything goes and on top of that I have a language barrier. During that competition I felt so many emotions, met new people and learned a lot from the judge's critique that it made me want to compete again and again.

When Covid-19 regulations went into full effect, Brian ?The Dogfather of Harlem? Taylor had to make drastic decisions in order to keep his business afloat. He unfortunately had to let go most of his employees, he maxed out all of his credit cards and used up most of his savings to get by. When the word got around that Brian was in trouble, some of his most loyal clients begin to give Brian donations. They asked that the donations be used to help less fortunate pet parents. With the donations, Brian decided to create the Pandemic Pup Relief Fund. Through the fund, he raised $2k and he was able to groom countless NYC pups for free. Brian was so inspired by his client?s generosity and wanted to do much more, thus the Pandemic Pup Relief Tour (PPRT) was founded.

I have been working with dogs and cats since I graduated high school in 2006 as a bather at a local boarding facility and recently got let go from an animal hospital. I started to groom on my own in October of last year. In these few months, I learned a lot about grooming and bathing. I had always stuck to the same tools: a comb, a regular brush, my 2-speed Andis clipper and straight shears. LOL. Now I know about all of the following tools that have greatly helped me refine my grooming techniques.

Learning to master skills helps us get ahead in our work and lives. To do this you need to have a deep understanding of the skill you are trying to perfect. You also need the dedication to put in the needed time and deliberate practice

At Ryan?s Pet Supplies it is our mission to take care of people who take care of pets. These times are uncertain for everyone and groomers are no exception. That?s why we are choosing one groomer a month to feature on our blog. This month, we chose Sherri Klose.

Connection is the key component to success and fulfillment in the grooming industry. 

I was talking with a friend the other day who also works in the service industry and she mentioned something along the lines of, ?When it comes down to it, we?re a business, and we?re selling a product.? Yes, we are a business. Yes, we are selling a product. But we are also connecting with people. We are connecting with animals. We are building relationships and our clients are trusting us time after time to take care of their beloved pets. So how do we reconcile the business aspect with the relationship aspect?

There was a time where the words ?healthy? and ?grooming? were rarely used in the same sentence. That's because, let's face it- the grooming industry as a whole is a generally UNHEALTHY one! We are constantly trying to master our time booking appointments, bathing, and grooming dogs, checking out clients- ON REPEAT. But, what about YOU? We essentially get lost in the craziness and forget about the greatest asset to keep our businesses running smoothly, which is us- the groomer! And that just simply needs to change.

At Ryan?s Pet Supplies, our mission is to take care of people that take care of pets, and that doesn?t just mean fulfilling your supply orders! We are here to take care of your body and mind and maybe pepper in some humor and self-love along the way ??. So, we?re here to provide some resources accessible to groomers for self-care. D?ja has prepared 3 different yoga poses that are perfect to release all the tension in the places groomers hang onto it most and she would know best ? she?s the owner of True Vibes Unleashed and a full-time groomer.

Grooming is a physically demanding career. Between lifting large dogs, standing all day, and the repetitive motions that come with brushing and shearing, you can quickly find yourself in a world of pain. Groomer Deja Pearson, from True Vibes Unleashed says that you can avoid pain in the body with yoga and has even set up her own business to combine all of her passions of grooming and yoga. Follow us on this journey of self-care and self-love for groomers.