Episodes

Jo and Lexi are back for another catch-up on the Pet Groomer Community Podcast, and this time they're reflecting on their experience at Pet Pro Expo and some of the important conversations happening across the grooming industry. They share their biggest takeaways from the event, including Jason Greystone's approach to business freedom, pricing and outsourcing, Charlotte Faith's practical social media advice, and the importance of developing a stronger business mindset. They also discuss going p...

In this episode of the Pet Groomers Community Podcast, Lexi and Jo are back for a relaxed catch-up and a really useful conversation about client communication. They chat about summer breaks, Jo’s birthday celebrations, Groomfest, the Liz Paul Awards, upcoming events and everything going on in grooming land. The main topic of the episode is all about customer relations, including how groomers can manage expectations, handle complaints and communicate clearly with clients. Lexi shares a few real...

In this short episode of the Pet Groomers Community Podcast, Lexi is joined by certified money coach Fanny Snaith to talk about her My Money Makeover programme. Fanny explains how the 8-week programme helps people understand their relationship with money, build better money habits, and start feeling more confident with their finances. Through online learning and weekly group calls, My Money Makeover looks at the practical side of money management as well as the mindset, beliefs and identity pat...

In this episode of the Pet Groomers Community Podcast, Jo and Lexi are joined by Nissa Kyte, owner of Cloud K9 Professional Grooming in Leicestershire. Nissa shares how she moved from primary school teaching into dog grooming after realising she needed a career change, and how that decision led her into building a successful grooming business, competing, cat grooming, seminars, model dogs and award nominations. They chat about the importance of continuous learning, why competitions can be such...

In this episode of The Pet Groomer Community Podcast, Lexi and Jo are back for a good old catch-up, recorded mid-July during the heatwave. Lexi shares how she has been feeling more motivated after a bit of a difficult patch, with fresh ideas around teaching, mentoring new groomers, offering more add-ons, and possibly creating a new salon space at home. Jo gives an update on her brand-new shop, her Happy Cat, Happy Groomer seminar, cat grooming training, upcoming events, and the reality of takin...

In this episode of the Pet Groomers Community Podcast, Jo Wallace is joined by Lee-Ann Wills of L. Wills Pet Spa and Sally Henwood of The Grooming Studio for a brilliant chat about the realities of running a grooming business. Lee-Ann shares what it has been like launching her own pet spa, building a busy one-to-one environment, working with nervous and reactive dogs, grooming cats, and juggling business life alongside being a mum. Sally talks about her long career in grooming, from training in...

In this episode of the Pet Groomer Community Podcast, Lexi and Jo have a very honest chat about the moments in business when everything feels a bit heavy. Lexi opens up about feeling stuck after her salon plans fell through, trying to decide what comes next, and whether the future looks like a premises, a grooming pod, teaching, or something else entirely. Jo talks through the reality of big business decisions, the stress of taking on a second salon, and why sometimes the best way forward is to...

In this episode of the Pet Groomers Community Podcast, Jo Wallace chats with Charlotte Townsend, owner of Townsend’s Tales Dog Grooming. Charlotte shares her journey into grooming after lockdown, taking voluntary redundancy to retrain, and eventually buying an established salon while six weeks pregnant. Since then, she has navigated new motherhood, grief, staffing challenges, VAT registration, pricing changes, difficult customer reactions, and the reality of running a grooming business while tr...

In this episode of The Pet Groomer Community Podcast, Jo is joined by groomer and social media manager Izzy Delderfield-King. Izzy shares how she discovered a love for marketing through running her own grooming business, and why she now helps other groomers feel more confident with their social media. Jo and Izzy chat about Facebook, Instagram, reels, captions, reviews, local SEO, AI, and why your online content still needs to sound like you. Get help from Izzy here. They also talk about Izzy’...

In this episode of The Pet Groomer Community Podcast, Lexi is joined by her friend Phoebe for a brilliantly honest catch-up about grooming, business, parenting, and trying to keep all the plates spinning. Phoebe shares how she left a corporate job to start grooming, began her business as a mobile groomer, and eventually took on a salon. She and Lexi chat about the realities of running a grooming business while parenting, the pressure of being the only income in the house, and why pricing, bound...

In this episode of The Pet Groomer Community Podcast, Lexi is joined by her friend and fellow groomer Michelle, owner of a Only Dogs in Lingfield. Shell shares her journey from over 20 years in social work to retraining as a dog groomer, opening her own salon, and navigating the very real ups and downs of running a grooming business. From taking on premises with only a few weeks’ notice, to rebuilding bathing areas, managing client expectations, and learning how to step into the role of busines...

In this episode of The Pet Groomer Community Podcast, Jo is joined by mentor, coach and grooming business expert Bill Betts to talk all things structure, boundaries and business foundations. Bill shares why many of the frustrations groomers face with clients — from no-shows and late arrivals to matting, complaints and tricky reviews — often come down to unclear expectations. Together, Jo and Bill explore how having proper terms and conditions, client consent forms and clear complaint processes ...

This week Lexi is joined by the lovely Becs for a long-overdue catch-up, and there is plenty to talk about. Becs shares what life has been like since closing her salon and moving her grooming business back home, including the huge financial and emotional relief that came with lowering overheads and simplifying her working week. The conversation covers the realities of running a grooming business, from rent, rates and VAT pressures to pricing confidence, client expectations, booking systems, fin...

Jo and Lexi are back together for a much-needed catch-up after a busy Easter break. In this episode, Lexi shares the disappointment of a salon move falling through, how she’s staying positive, and why she’s still excited about future plans. Jo reveals some huge news of her own — a new training centre in Peterborough — plus updates on her cat grooming seminar, GroomFest prep, and upcoming courses. They also chat about reigniting Lexi’s love for cat grooming, dealing with matted cats, managing bu...

In this episode of the Pet Groomers Community Podcast, Jo Wallace is joined by Lucy Hoile, feline behaviourist, for a fascinating conversation about the link between cat grooming, stress and behaviour. http://www.lucyhoile.co.uk/ Together, they explore why some cats become fearful or aggressive during grooming, how negative experiences with brushes, clippers or restraint can affect behaviour, and why patience, choice and gentle handling matter so much. Jo and Lucy also discuss the challenges o...

In this heartfelt episode of the Pet Groomer Community Podcast, Lexi is joined by fellow groomer Penny Burley for an honest conversation about burnout, bravery, and building a new life through dog grooming. Penny shares how she left a long career in emotionally demanding public sector roles after reaching rock bottom, and how retraining as a dog groomer gave her the fresh start she desperately needed. Together, Lexi and Penny talk about what it really feels like to change careers later in life,...

Lexi and Jo are back with a big life and business catch-up in this episode of the Pet Groomer Community Podcast. Lexi shares the exciting news that she’s taking the leap from home grooming into a new salon space, opening up fresh opportunities for table renters, training, and future business growth. Jo talks through the realities of running and expanding a salon, building a supportive team, and creating opportunities for other groomers — while also sharing the exciting news of her Business Lead...

In this episode of The Pet Groomers Community Podcast, Jo Wallace sits down with award-winning groomers Jordan Fletcher of Diamonds in the Rough Pet Spa and Jo Tofts of Happy Hounds Dog Spa to talk all things grooming competitions. If you’ve ever considered entering a competition but felt intimidated, this conversation offers an honest and refreshing look at what it’s really like. The girls share how they got started, what the different classes actually mean, and how the journey from beginner t...

This week on The Pet Groomer Community Podcast, Lexi is joined by Emma Betts who is a former veterinary nurse, long-time salon owner, and now coach inside Bill Betts’ Pet Groomer Business Programme. Emma shares how her veterinary background shapes her approach to grooming, from understanding oral health and skin conditions to knowing when something needs monitoring versus a vet referral. They chat about teeth cleaning, practical product knowledge, retail opportunities, and how groomers can conf...

In this episode of The Pet Groomers Community Podcast, host Jo Wallace is joined by fellow Colin Taylor Brand Ambassadors Rebecca Duduid and Charlotte Pulling for an open, honest conversation about grooming competitions, teaching, and the power of community within the industry . Rebecca and Charlotte share their personal journeys into competing, why they wish they’d started sooner, how competitions have helped build confidence, and what it’s really like stepping into the ring for the first time...

Cat grooming has a reputation… and Lexie Goldsmith is here to set the record straight. Jo Wallace is joined by Aussie cat groomer and educator Lexie Goldsmith to talk about what really makes cat grooming successful: understanding stress signals, adapting your approach to the individual cat, and building trust without over-handling. Lexie shares her journey from dog grooming into the cat world, why cats aren’t the “huge challenge” people assume, and how good training helps you spot problems befo...

This week on The Pet Groomer Community Podcast, Lexi and Jo are joined by Caroline Donoghue aka the Love Mud Dog Lady for a behind-the-scenes chat about pet grooming, social media, and staying true to your lane. Caroline is an award-winning, experienced dog groomer who runs Lovemud Dog Grooming in East Sussex. With 10 years’ experience, she’s proud to offer a unique 1:1 tailored grooming service that focuses on canine behaviour and welfare — prioritising happy, comfortable dogs over chasing “pe...

Lexi is joined by Hayley, a groomer of nearly 16 years with a veterinary nursing background, to talk about building a salon that supports real life — fewer hours, fewer dogs, and better income. Hayley shares how she’s streamlined her workweek, improved pricing, and boosted turnover by introducing ultrasonic teeth cleaning as a popular add-on, while also educating owners on why oral health matters far beyond fresh breath. The conversation also takes a heartfelt turn as they bond over resilience,...

It’s January, it’s freezing, and the cancellations are cancelling… so Jo and Lexi are jumping on for a quick New Year catch-up to reset the mindset and start the year strong. They chat honestly about the January wobble (and how to stay positive when your diary suddenly empties), setting realistic goals, and turning unexpected gaps into something useful — from marketing and life admin to gym sessions and even cleaning the car. Lexi shares a big personal goal for the year, Jo talks business growt...