Today we’d like to introduce you to Crystal Dewars.
Hi Crystal, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I actually started my pet grooming career in the corporate world back in 2005. I bounced around a lot because it is really hard to find a salon you truly love to go to every day and enjoy working with your peers. When the recession of 2008 hit, my life didn’t really feel like it was going anywhere, and I wasn’t being taken seriously as a groomer. I joined the Marine Corps in October and did my 4 years with them. I went right back into the grooming world when I finished my service. I eventually started working for myself in 2014 while receiving an Entrepreneurship Degree. It really was as pointless as it sounds. Sorry business school. I lived at home trying to build my career for the longest time. My folks were super supportive, but I did not want to be a 30-year-old living with their parents. I love them to death, and I will admit I love living with them, but that’s not what adulting is. I realized how little information and how rudimentary anything I found was that pertained to the pet grooming industry. I actually found an online program for hairstylists that I was hoping could be helpful somehow. Shout out to Britt Seva and her Thriving Stylist Program, specifically designed for hairstylists. I was able to apply some of what she taught in the program, but I really had to manipulate it to work for pet grooming. I highly recommend it for any hair stylist out there that is not living their dream life. Is the hairstylist career similar to ours? Yes. But in so many ways, it is so different. When I finally got a grasp of how to convert her teaching to make it work in our industry, I felt the need to teach the rest of the pet groomers out there how to do what I did to make the money they are always being promised. That’s when I started writing Rockstar Groomer. I wasn’t really sure how I was supposed to get it out in the world, and I definitely felt I needed to put more effort into marketing it. Lo and behold, comes along Ramit Sethi and his online program called I Will Teach You How To Be Rich. I turned my book into an online one-time lifetime membership for anything I have written and for anything I will write in the future. I launched the first portion in February 2020, the year of the pandemic. Since then, I have written two more additions to the book. The last one was uploaded in September of this year. I have given my book freely to any groomer that has worked with me in the past couple of years, and they always see improvement in their sales and repeat clients. Since launching the portion on how to create their own social media, they have been able to develop a following and it is so great seeing their work out in the world. I have sort of turned into a knowledge junkie. I always have a new book or online program that I can’t wait to try and practice. I also found my other passion is writing. I love writing about everything that I have learned, tried, and practiced, and sharing it with others to guide them in their grooming career. These are the things that I truly love to do. I love creating a less stressful grooming process for pets and I love teaching groomers how to live a rich life as a pet stylist.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Ha. Maybe if the world was flat! I’m back in the corporate grooming world at the moment. The requirements are definitely too demanding on any person really, but I’m using them for my own personal gain as well. Some people were made for the factory line, but some of us are not. It’s really hard to focus on writing when you have to work 5 days a week, 9-10 hours a day. I’ve cut back on working those kinds of hours tremendously, but in all fairness, the grooming industry is taking a bit hit right now. Yes, everyone is raising prices right now and everyone is cutting back on something, but it’s the no-shows and last-minute cancellations that are killing our paychecks and cutting our hours. When it comes down to it, the biggest struggle is time. Not being too tired to dedicate time to reading, writing, and taking care of oneself. At the moment, that is what I am trying to do. The VA is working with me to help me help myself, but I’ve been able to get further along in my career path at the same time. Good-bye debt! Living a rich life credit goes to Ramit Sethi.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a groomer, I am known for taking a more holistic approach to grooming. I help with introductory grooming for first-timers, usually puppies and kittens. I get a lot of people that come to me with pets that have anxieties towards grooming or leaving their owners. Some pets may even have some aggressive tendencies towards some of the processes or are just scared shitless. I will help rehabilitate it as much as I can, but occasionally I do need to put my own safety first. I did receive certification for pet skin and coat, so I can usually identify common skin and coat issues and figure out a formula to help, whether it be with the products I use or a simple diet change. Fun fact, I also have a Master’s Certification in Feline Grooming. Yes, I put that kitty in the tub and scrub out all that dirt and grease with water and real cat shampoo. Yes, I love grooming cats, too.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
It’s already changing. It’s always changing. There is always something new to learn. I spent this year getting certified in pet grooming and salon safety, and pet CPR and first aid training. I love going to pet industry expos and soaking up all the knowledge. If I was going to give any pet owner that is looking for a groomer any advice, I would say look for transparency and do the same for us when you inquire. No one should be trying to hide anything from anyone when it comes to finding and providing the best care for the pets that we love.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.akadewey.com
- Instagram: akadewey
- Facebook: successfulpetgroomingcareercoach
- Other:www.deweyspaws.com
