08/09/2025
I had the pleasure of attending Groomfest today 🐾
One of the best parts of events like this is the community spirit — grooming can sometimes feel like a solitary job, so it’s uplifting when we come together to share, learn and cheer each other on, no matter our skill-set, levels or niches.
It was especially lovely to meet up with Jema from The Dog Groomer Luton for lunch and I’m sure that will not be our last time, we enjoyed a good mooch around the stands. Great to finally meet Sylvia from , a fellow holistic groomer from Sandy whose outlook I admire.
The fabulous Julie Harris delivered an informative (and funny!) presentation on cat grooming, and I treated myself to one of her cat shampoo bars which I’m eager to try out this week.
I caught a few dog grooming demo sessions too — though it was sometimes tricky to see and hear everything, I still picked up some helpful tips. I’m not sure any of my current clients would warrant anything other than a functional pet-trim but I can admire the creativity, skill and beauty of some of these grooms. I saw no stressed out dogs today which was great.
Of course, a little retail therapy was inevitable:
✨ A state-of-the-art neck dryer — I’ll be introducing it gently so my more sensitive dogs can feel at ease.
✨ A soft anti-fatigue table mat, so paws don’t have to stand on hard surfaces for long periods.
✨ A paw wash designed for pups who like to nibble their toes — curious to see how it helps.
✨ And a beautifully made tail comb from Verity Hardcastle at , perfect for those neat little Yorkie topknots.
Days like today remind me why I love being part of this industry — we’re all learning and supporting one another no matter our area of expertise.