Go Mobile and Succeed

Pet Quest 2010

You know what I love about attending so many grooming conventions every year? I never have the same experience twice. What made Pet Quest extra fun was I had time to watch the competition and creative groomers in the ring. Usually I have commitments that don’t permit much free time but this weekend was different. Aside from Saturday morning spent in my seminar, the rest of the weekend I was glued to watching the master groomers do their thing. What can I say? I know magic when I see it!

                                    

Watching Kendra Otto take on the task of grooming a very unusual breed, the pumi, a Hungarian herding dog had everybody fascinated. Then toss in your cockers, bichons, poodles of every size, a few big, hairy old english sheep dogs (groomed by Jeri Hoppe), a doodle, a cockapoo, a wheaton and other assorted terriers and spaniels and what have you got? A top notch grooming competition!

              
 

Pet Quest was also a special show because I had the opportunity to do a seminar based on my book Go Mobile And Succeed. Many that attended were just like me. They had been bitten by the grooming bug and were hungry for knowledge. I remember being in their shoes. They had so many questions! It was a great hour packed with information. I can’t wait to do it again at Hershey Groom Expo!

I just wanted to shout out a special thank you to Eileen Bicknell. Eileen drove back and forth twice from her home, an hours drive each way, to support me and be my assistant at my mobile seminar. This is what I’m talking about! Eileen you’re the best!

                                                      
 

One thing I know about groomers is after they groom and shop, they love to get together to laugh and have fun. Because we’re a bunch that live all over the USA we don’t always have the opportunity to get together. Grooming conventions offer the opportunity for facebook and forum friends to meet, many of them interacting over the Internet for years. These are very important relationships. I’ve known from the beginning of my career that grooomers have a special bond. Anybody who is an artist and an animal lover is a friend of mine!

            
 

This is a busy season for us. We’ve got the All American Show in Chicago next month, September – Groom Expo, November – New England Pet Grooming Professionals. I’ll be at every show. My life has revolved around the grooming industry for the last five years and I’m loving it. See you all there!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My First Seminar - Cherrybrook

My latest adventure into the grooming industry started back at Hershey Groom Expo in September 2009 six months after my book came out. Sally Liddick and Jerry Shinberg both asked me if I would consider doing a seminar at their grooming shows. This stopped me dead in my tracks and made me think - Could I do it? It seemed like a huge hurdle to jump over. I wasn’t taking this question lightly. I’m not the kind of person who would show up and “wing it.” Not only did I have to conduct the seminar, I also wanted to include a power point presentation. Where would I start? What would I say?  Would anybody even show up? The wheels started turning inside my head. I’m a firm believer that when opportunity knocks open the door. I wasn’t going to let this one get away. By hook or by crook, I was going to do it and nothing would stop me! I was going to write, prepare, and present my first seminar.

I started the process by asking my fellow groomers what they would be most interested in hearing. Beth Cristiano, a veteran groomer/mobile groomer and Pet Tech instructor, really struck a cord when she said to me, “Tell me something I don’t already know.” That became my goal! Since I have been to many seminars over the years and heard pretty much everything I knew I had to come up with something original.

I decided my two-hour seminar was to be was filled with important information and experiences that put me on the road to success. What could set me apart from others was my motivational and inspirational message. “If I can do it, you can too!” Then I sat down with my son Tyler, who’s a whiz on the computer and together we put together an awesome power point presentation. Then off I went to practice, practice, practice!

I would like to thank everyone, especially Roy Loomis, for giving me the opportunity to give my fist seminar at Cherrybrook. I can honestly say I loved doing it. I’ve had so much support throughout my career and I’ve made so many friends! Jodi Murphy was kind enough to introduce me to Roy. Kristin Fulton has come to bat for me many, many times.

I’m looking forward to whatever the future holds for me in the grooming industry, I know I’m ready for my next step because I love what I’m doing. I’m looking towards the future. I have so many ideas and plans for seminars and projects! Those of you that know me personally know I will follow through! I’m committed 100%.

Christein Sertztel once said to me, “Ellen, go out and blaze your own trail!” What wise words. Kim West told me I was a teacher. Wow! Grooming has brought me so many wonders. I believe we each have our own trail to blaze and I challenge everyone to do the same. When I looked at my audience the other night, I saw the anticipation in their eyes. I knew I wouldn’t disappoint. As I began to speak, I felt butterflies in my stomach but it wasn’t from nerves. I was spreading my wings and flying into the beautiful blue light.

Next stop PetQuest and Hershey Groom Expo!