PAWPRINT ESSENTIALS

Changes to
Pawprint Essentials' Grooming
I felt it was time to address all the "rumors" about Pawprint Essentials. No... we are not closing. Yes... there has been a "shakeup". I was going to shorten this newsletter to just say it was necessary for my well-being. However, for the women who came in screaming at me, I felt it would be best for me to share my decision in detail.

After much thought + consideration during the past two years, I am pleased to announce that I have decided that I will be the only groomer moving forward at Pawprint Essentials. Before making a formal announcement, I wanted to work the month of January to see if this was really what my heart was set on doing. And it is! At this stage of my life, I simply want to groom in a drama-free, stress-free environment. I love what I do + intend to do it for many years to come! Donna + Suzanne continue to be the "glue" that holds it all together so I can focus on grooming. I have a great support system around me!

Cheryl Keenan
Owner/Pet Stylist
What prompted my decision
 As many of you may know, I have been a business owner for many years in several other industries. I have always believed in doing things right and that does not always equate with doing things the easiest or quickest way. Over the past several years I learned that the work ethic in this industry is severely lacking + I have grown tired of "babysitting" groomers for lack of a better word. For example:

  • i had no choice but to implement a weekly check of each groomer's tools to assure they were, at least, cleaned once a week. You cannot imagine how dirty + full of hair + dander their tools were. The groomers were instructed to clean their tools the last day of their work week + leave them on their grooming tables so I knew they had been cleaned. On week two I found out that one groomer was leaving her tools on the grooming table, uncleaned, so I would think she was cleaning them. Ok, the scary thing here is that the groomers only cleaned their tools once a week + only when I did a mandatory check.
  • Groomers tools are their livelihood. Many times over the years groomers would use broken tools including some that made it very uncomfortable for the pets they were grooming. I provided the majority of equipment needed to groom + often purchased grooming tools for the groomers, but their personal tools should always be clean + in proper working order.
  • Occasionally, some pet guests may have a few mats. The groomers' response when combing them + your pet yelps in pain? Your fine! That was nothing!
  • You should expect that when a groomer brushes your pet's teeth that a mere 5 seconds is not sufficient! That is another issue I addressed several times with groomers.
  • Groomers were constantly on their cell phones to the point that I told them they could not use them while grooming + would need to go outside to take/make calls.
  • Talking was non-stop while grooming. How can you concentrate on grooming one of our pet guests while engaged non-stop in conversation with another groomer?
  • I allowed ear phones (in one ear only) so the groomers could listen to music of their choice rather than our spa music that has been a staple here since day one. Apparently, one groomer was watching + listening to movies on her cell phone while grooming. Ok... end of ear phones.
  • Constantly changing your grooming appointments to accommodate the groomers' personal schedule.
  • The list goes on + on but I believe you get the picture. I have policies + procedures to assure that your pet is in a safe, clean + caring environment. I have had endless conversations with individual groomers + group discussions during staff meetings addressing these issues + multiple other issues.

Now I want you to imagine you are at your hair salon + you witness all this going on while you are waiting to have your hair cut. I believe you would head straight out the door, pronto! The problem in this industry is that there is no one "policing" what goes on behind closed doors. Your pet can't tell you that the clipper the groomer used on them was full of another dog's hair or that the groomer was on their cell phone while grooming them.
I read this some time ago + these are words I live by each + every day...
I REFUSE TO LOWER MY STANDARDS TO ACCOMMODATE THOSE WHO REFUSE TO RAISE THEIRS.
What does this mean to me + my pet's grooming appointments?
We have rescheduled as many appointments as possible. I have been working seven days a week + have added earlier + later appointments each day to accommodate as many clients as possible. We are also referring clients to other non-Pawprint Essentials' groomers. For those of you who had NIchole groom your pets, my understanding is she is grooming a few days a week while attending school. Should you wish to contact her, her cell number is 941.302.1339. Unfortunately, I cannot groom every pet guest + there are certain breeds I do not feel as proficient in grooming.

If you do not have a scheduled grooming appointment please note that with rescheduling all current appointments we do not have any grooming appointments available until April.
pawprint essentials | www.pawprintessentials.com | 941.484.7297