Today we’d like to introduce you to Sabrina Ogbonna.
Hi Sabrina, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My love for dogs is what started my journey in the pet industry as a dog stylist. Years ago I had no idea how I could become a Pet Groomer without having any skills and knowledge. It was not until I attended Animal Behavioral College and other educational courses in the grooming field that doors begin to open up for me. I started working as a dog bather for about a year and realized that there was no room for growth. I left my job and decided to go back to school. During this time I took my classes at Golden Paws School Of Dog Styling. After completing my course I excepted a dog grooming position at Petsmart. Not long after getting hired at Petsmart, I was Furloughed due to Covid-19. This is when I made the choice to start my own grooming business. I am proud to be the owner and Pet Stylist of Shears To Paws LLC.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road started off bumpy. I reached out to a few groomers in search of a mentor and none seemed to be interested in mentoring me at that time. I refused to give up on what I had started because I was being turned away. Building clientele has been a struggle as well. Handing out my business cards was exciting until I had some people say things to me like “I’ve never met a black groomer before, hmm interesting “. I still get this remark till this very day. Trusting the process keeps me grounded and determined. A whole year later I now have a mentor.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am known for grooming dogs that other groomers will not groom due to behavioral temperament, special needs, senior pets, and pets recovering from trauma. I specialize in creative grooming, pet hair dye, and Asian Fusion style cuts. I am most proud of my pet parents trusting me with their pups and telling me about the positive changes that they’re seeing in their fur babies. What sets me apart from other groomers is that pet parents are encouraged to stay during the grooming process. There are no other groomers offering this service. I provide one on one services to each pet, a tranquil environment, and calming music to keep them relaxed.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
The welfare of each and every pet matters most to me. A successful groom can not happen if the dog is unhealthy, frightened, or uncomfortable. Pet grooming is meant to be an exciting experience for both the pet on the table and the pet stylist alike.
Contact Info:
- Email: shearstopaws1@gmail.com
- Website: Shearstopawsllc.Booksy.com
- Instagram: @shearstopaws
Image Credits
@musixgeekzent
@frostedbeautyx2.0
@puprelieftour
