I have been part of the grooming industry for for over 17 years

‘Speaker of the Year’ nominee in the Liz Paul Industry Awards 2017 & 2018

Set up a very successful dog grooming business

Regular seminars and event organising

Successful competitor winning multiple awards, including 2 Best in Shows.

Judge at MasterGroom International Grooming Competition

Competition Judging Experience

Dog grooming academy ‘Canine Design’ manager for 3 years

Experience in working with the industry’s largest grooming employer

Helping salons to turn a profit and take their business to a higher level

Qualifications in Business management, canine anatomy, canine behaviour and animal care

Advanced Diploma in Dog Grooming – Distinction

Currently completing the Higher Diploma in Dog Grooming and
ICMG

Expert panel representative for the British Isles Grooming Association – Board of Pet Grooming Experts Panel. Representing the industry in government matters such as licensing.

Member of the Groomers Spotlight and BIGA

I started grooming at the age of 17 after my mum and I had a discussion about working together. Previously I had already completed a grooming course as part of an animal care course at a local college and I was working as a vet nurse assistant at Kingsteignton Vet Group. We decided to enroll at Canine design, a well established school in Somerset. I loved every minute of my course and met some lovely new people including Lesley Garratt and Kelly Davis. Who both made me feel confident enough to start a business.

My mum, Gill and I then started Fido Sassoon Canine Beauticians. We started grooming out of our garage but soon found we needed more room. We opened up the front of the garage into a shop front and business boomed even more. Having a business was a huge and steep learning curve. I had to learn quickly about customer relations, handling, advertising, and the key to success which I believe is always being involved in the community. In 2009, I competed in my first competition and was proud to take home the title of YKC Groomer of  the Year.

In 2013, I decided I would like to move on and experience more of the grooming world. I accepted a job as grooming manager for Pets at Home. I learned a lot from this experience and attended lots of seminars with industry experts. However I felt that the large corporation world was not for me.

Whilst still owning my salon in Devon, I then accepted a job at my old training academy, where I learnt some invaluable skills and pushed myself to a higher level. I was a manager of the academy for nearly four years. In this time I started to undertake my higher diploma and my ICMG and competed and won at competitions including two Best in Shows.

I am now a regular seminar speaker and have written many popular courses and workshops. In my time away from teaching I travel around the UK delivering private training and consultancy sessions in people’s salons and colleges.

This aspect my career grew quickly so I decided to take the plunge and open up the KJG Dog Grooming Academy in 2017. I am now back in Devon teaching students from the very place I started all those years ago.

I have always been very driven and my career is no exception. I always strive to be the best that I can in everything that I do. I love to go the extra mile in encouraging my students to do the same.