Hannah Hasselbacher is a USA-based groomer who has owned their business for four years. Hannah started grooming for profit in 2018, mostly family and friends and the friends and family of those.
Hi Hannah! What can you tell me about your grooming career?
I started grooming for profit in a plan to escape a very toxic relationship. I would take dogs in when my ex was not home and was able to save up enough money to purchase real grooming equipment. During this time, I studied all the ways of grooming that I could in my spare time.
When I felt comfortable and educated enough to start working on the local areas pets, I established a plan to move to a state that was easier to start a business. By the end of 2019, I had accomplished this move and prepped myself to open my doors for business.
I first advertised myself and my grooming as ‘Clips for Tips’ to get my name and skill level out there. My first client was on January 27th, 2020
After a trial period, I got a good idea of pricing and started my online presence with a Facebook business profile.
As soon as I hit the ground running, COVID hit and everything shut down. I was disheartened, to say the least. I still put my business out there, during this time I renovated part of my rental home to groom.
Once the shutdown lifted, I had floods of clients. The initial anxiety of not knowing if clients would be reluctant to come to a home shop, given the risks of the pandemic. And then the stress of the overwhelming business after the ban. The pandemic became a blessing.
My efforts with the difficult dogs became my bread and butter. I decided to build a trailer to accommodate the further out areas who had trouble finding groomers to do their dogs.
Unfortunately, it’s still at a standstill two years later after the truck I purchased with a warranty has spent the last two years in and out of the shop. It’s up on a lift as I write this.
The truck event led to me taking a job for a year as a salon manager of a major corp. I then recently went back to private as I couldn’t do what I loved with their rules.
What can you tell me about grooming where you’re based?
My grooming career has gone from grooming dogs to specializing in difficult dogs.
My area’s groomers seem to not do many difficult dogs. Aggressive, Geriatric, behavioural issues, and dogs with skin issues. This led to classes on therapeutic grooming as well as a diploma program for canine behaviour and expertise.
I don’t see many groomers investing their time to learn about the behind-the-scenes of canine work. I think this is super important to know to be successful in this career field.
What differences have you noticed between groomers where you’re based and groomers in the UK?
I really don’t see many differences between the UK and US when it comes to grooming. The bigger differences would come from Spanish regions. I see many groomers learning detailed mat removal processes, conquering the toughest jobs with ease with good products.
It seems that most groomers view a tough, messy coat, as needed to be shaved off.
While sometimes this is the best case, product and procedure can make all the difference in how these situations are handled. Many other countries have integrated this approach, and I feel that both the US and UK are behind.
What are some key things that you think UK groomers can learn from groomers where you’re based?
The way I see grooming, most of my fellow groomers don’t do what I do. I have seen very few groomers who have chosen to dive in on the extra skills of behavioural grooming rehab or the process and procedure of matting and skin and coat issues.
I have found that most groomers don’t even understand why it is detrimental to keep the coat as long as possible on double coats and coats that regularly shed.
I think that both the US and UK could both benefit from learning more about canine scientific skin and coat function, behaviour, and processes.
Are there any general thoughts you’d like to share with our readers?
Looking back into the last going on five years, the only thing I can heavily recommend is to NEVER quit learning. ALWAYS question WHY. The more you know, the better you are going to be. And, never give up.
When life gives you lemons, make that sugary sweet lemonade.
