Emma is a professional dog groomer based in Nantwich, Cheshire UK and recently credited “Asian Fusion Groomer Of The Year 2022”.
Hi Emma. What can you tell me about your business?
I’m a self-employed, competitive dog groomer and I’ve been grooming for nine years! I specialise in Asian Fusion Styling and Teddy Bear styles, focusing on a beautiful scissor finish, cute expressions and angulation. I love working with puppies and ensuring they have a positive experience from the very start of their grooming journey.
I had my own salon for five years however recently have taken a step back and now rent a table within another salon, which I’m very happy with! Alongside working in the salon I also offer training days for other groomers who wish to learn Asian Fusion styling or any other pet styles they might need some extra help with.
My true passion comes from teaching and helping other groomers. I love to encourage new groomers and help them find their feet within this industry.
I also try to attend all competitions across the UK throughout the year. I have competed for seven years and, ever since, I found a completely new love for dog grooming.
I found that there was more to everyday styles and I completely fell in love with competition grooming. My favourite part of competitions is meeting up with my friends who live on the other side of the country!
I have won many 1st place awards in the Asian Fusion classes at champion level, as well as Workshop, also at champion level. I’ve also won Best in Show and Reserve Best in show in 2022.
In 2022 I began hosting and being invited to hold seminars, including The International Grooming Conference! I enjoy teaching groomers how to achieve the “Asian fusion” style but make it adaptable for the commercial grooming salon.
Asian fusion grooming also known as “Asian freestyle” is a unique style that originated in Asia. We aim to create cute styles on dogs that give them a toy, cartoon character or teddy bear look. The popularity of this style has grown massively over the years in the UK. Typically, we like to see a round doughnut muzzle, exaggerated flared legs large expressive eyes.
Customers travel hours to come to visit me for an Asian Fusion groom! Many of my clients have found me through Instagram and will ask for a specific cut after seeing it on my feed. A momentous time in my career was a new client showed me an example of how they’d like their dog to look from a Google image – and the image belonged to me!
This year I have achieved many goals I only dreamt of reaching such as speaking at the International Grooming Conference and winning a Best In Show at a grooming competition! My new goals include competing overseas, continuing to be an educator within the industry and one day becoming a judge at a competition.
What can you tell me about being awarded Asian Fusion Groomer of the Year 2022?
It came as a complete surprise to me. I was nominated amongst women who inspire me and winning the title was something I thought I could have only dreamt of.
It was a very emotional moment for me – I put so much of myself into my grooming work and to be recognised for all that means the world to me. It isn’t handed to you on a plate, you have to work for it and work hard. I’m proof that if you can do that, you can achieve your dreams.
What advice would you like to give to our readers about the grooming industry?
Get yourself out there and compete! It was the best thing I ever did for myself and my career! I’ve made the best of friends and built the biggest support network and my grooming has improved immensely.
Never go with the mindset of “losing” or “winning”. You only need to beat your last groom, if you do that then you’re already a winner. You have nothing to lose but you will gain so much!
Any general thoughts you’d like to share?
This is an industry where we should be lifting each other up and supporting each other. I will always cheer on my friends, even if they beat me at a competition!
I struggle with anxiety and “imposter syndrome”. I think a lot of groomers struggle, which is why we decided to work with animals. However, no one tells you how hard grooming can be until you’re in the thick of it. I have experienced ‘groomer burnout’ and it is tough!
Be kind to yourself, give yourself lunch breaks, find yourself some groomer friends to be able to rant, laugh and cry with and remember it’s okay to say “no” to customers. It may take some time but eventually, you will have clients who respect you, trust you and value your time.
Comparison is the thief of joy – stop comparing yourself to others and focus on yourself. This is your journey! Run your own race and focus on your own goals.
Practice your passion!
Follow @Emmarose_petstyling on Instagram and TikTok and search “Emma Rose Pet Styling” on Facebook.