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2003 Essay Contest Entry Archive |
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Why I Became A Groomer If you asked me 10 years ago if I wanted to be a groomer, I would have laughed in your face. Why would I want to be a groomer? I had been a Veterinary Technician since 1986. I had no plans to change my career. Yes, I bathed for the groomer working in the clinic the 2 days a week she was there, but groom full time, no way! Things changed, and when they did it happened rapidly. Suddenly, my place of employment, my hours and rate of pay changed. I needed something to supplement my income. My new boss offered me the chance to learn how to groom, and I jumped at it. She hired a groomer out of retirement (retired that year) but still grooming from her home shop, to teach me how. She was to come to work for one year, teach me the ropes and then go back to retirement. This opportunity allowed me to stay with my one true love, animals. I could groom, still be with the animals I loved, but with less heart ache and stress. In the grooming room, no one was dieing, no one needed life saving surgery, no I.V.’s, etc. I had been Vet. Tech.’ing for 9 years at that point, and due to all the changes that were happening, I was burning out. I didn’t want to get up in the mornings to go to work, and by the time I pulled up to the parking lot I already had a head ache. Something had to change so I learned pet grooming. I was all for grooming. It would fulfill my love of dogs and cats, allow me to help certain clients that I truly cared for over the years, etc. We set up my schedule performing both Vet. Tech. and grooming. I found my first time "Guinea pig" clients on whose pets I trained (for free) to learn the ropes. Then the clients started to roll in. It started slow...one client a day...if I was lucky. I can remember quite clearly my first Yorkshire Terrier without my teacher’s supervision (about 3 months in to my training). Oh my, is it any wonder I never saw them again? The poor little girl...all body and nothing left on her legs. Then the true test came. My teacher’s clients were starting to ask for me if she was too booked up for them to get it. Her favorite English Springer booked with me. With no supervision it took me 15 minutes just to put the clippers onto him. I was more terrified about what "she" would think of my grooming job than what her owners would think <chuckle>. My boss passed away and everything changed once again. Having something the other staff members at the clinic didn’t have "a second career option" so I opted to retire from being a Vet. Tech. to groomer 100%. I moved my clientele home to my shop and have never looked back. 9 years later, I can not think of doing any thing other than grooming. I have a great clientele, a full schedule book, my own business, I do not advertise and work by word of mouth referrals only. I can set my own pace, control my own stress levels, etc. I love grooming and wouldn’t change a thing. Kim Scea |
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