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Groomers around the world inspire us. Their passion for pets and business consistently sets the bar for the industry, which is why we'll be featuring stories from VIGs - very important groomers - like you. This month's spotlight features Desiree Lee of Ladysmith, BC, Canada.   

GC: Tell us your grooming story.

DL: My grooming adventure started when I moved to Whistler, BC, and adopted two retired sled dogs. I worked as a professional makeup artist and volunteered at the local shelter just as a group of rescued retired sled dogs arrived. They were the surviving dogs from a horrendous cull that came to light after the 2010 Olympics. I fostered and soon adopted my girl, Candy, and quickly realized my love for helping nervous, reactive, and fearful animals. This started my journey into studying grooming. Shortly after my son was born, I opened an at-home grooming salon specializing in fearful, reactive dogs of all breeds and sizes. We have since moved to Vancouver Island where I opened my at-home, private, one-on-one, fear-free grooming salon called Cedar Dog Grooming. We are celebrating our second successful year!

GC: Tell us more about Cedar Dog Grooming.

DL: Cedar Dog Grooming is located on our quiet 5-acre farm between a lovely seaside town called Ladysmith and the busy city of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island.

GC: What interested you about becoming a dog groomer?

DL: I wanted to start grooming to provide a safe, understanding option for dogs that have been through traumatic events, or are turned away due to reactivity or fearfulness. Grooming is a necessity for the health of dogs, so I opened my business to provide a safe space for even the most fearful and anxious animals.

GC: Do you have a favorite breed to groom? If so, why are they your favorite?

DL: I have a soft spot for a husky. My journey started surrounded by retired sled dogs, and they hold a very special place in my heart.

GC: What is your favorite thing about being a groomer?

DL: I love gaining the trust of my pet clients and watching them grow and experience that grooming doesn’t need to be a scary part of their lives.

GC: What is the best piece of grooming advice you've received?

DL: Humanity over vanity, always. Providing a compassionate experience can make all the difference in an animal’s life.

GC: What would you say to someone interested in becoming a groomer?

DL: It can be a very challenging career and I would offer my support for any part of their journey!

GC: What are the sacrifices and rewards of owning a grooming business?

DL: Being a mom to four little ones, aged 6 months to 9 years old, I am forever grateful that I can work from home. Since opening the shop, I have met this giant community of fellow dog lovers who joined our family. This journey took us four years to realize, with a lot of support along the way. We strive to have a work-life balance, spending as much quality time with our kids as possible, and showing them that hard work and owning a business don’t have to be a sacrifice.

GC: Why do you choose to shop with Groomer's Choice?

DL: I love to offer my clients high-quality products that I know I can get at Groomer’s Choice.

GC: Is there anything else you'd like to add?

DL: Thank you, Groomer’s Choice, for the opportunity to be part of a lovely showcase of businesses that share the love and compassion for pets that we strive to give at Cedar Dog Grooming.

Are you a groomer or pet professional? Want to be featured in a future Groomer's Choice blog post or magazine? Submit your grooming story!