Hi, I'm Karen,

Like many others I chose to become a dog groomer because I loved being with dogs. Their energy, their love, their company, plus the thought of self employment and the promise of independence & control that implied..(hmm).

So aged 28, in 2009, I left my career in the Aviation Industry and trained to become a groomer. 

I went through the same rites of passage that many new groomers still experience today - the dodgy grooms, the price chasing flaky clients, the crippling imposter syndrome..

But slowly I grew a fully booked dog grooming business and expanded with regards to staff and premises in a matter of 3 years (whilst welcoming my first child along the way). 

Then the inevitable happened. I burned out!!! 

Within a few years, I had grown my business to a stage where I simply could no longer cope with it's demands. From the grooming to the cleaning to the admin to marketing.. it was all too much, especially as a new mum with family commitments to juggle. 

My passion for my business and grooming was dwindling fast! The tasks to get it back on track seemed overwhelming and I wasn't sure where to start. Customers frustrated me and I began to look for the exit!! 

The Comeback..

So, I enrolled onto a Mathematics degree with the Open University with a view to leaving grooming & becoming a teacher. However, the unexpected happened! My studies didn't help me find a path out of grooming. They helped see reasons to stay! 

I learned about pricing structures and business finance, I swapped pure math modules for business ones and gradually educated myself in ways to improve my grooming business. 

My studies meant I now ran my dog grooming business with full clarity and control. 

I had the financial knowledge to draw a healthy salary from my grooming business, (without the need to constantly sell add-ons), I upheld boundaries and policies with my clients with warmth and professionalism.

I learned techniques to communicate with my clients in ways that elevated the respect I gained from them and their perception of me as a professional.

And most importantly I regained my love of grooming. 

The Grooming Goddess Academy is an embodiment of the changes I made and the vehicle I now use to educate and support other female groomers to gain the success and balance I created for myself.

Since my own dog grooming business re-build, 6 years ago, I have trained to be a coach & studied more courses in marketing and branding - all with the intention of helping and educating other dog groomers to achieve their own business dreams and goals.

I’ve been invited to deliver seminars at industry events such as MasterGroom, The Pet Pro Expo & The Great British Grooming Show, with more speaker engagements already booked in for later in 2026 and into 2027!

I've taught students at grooming colleges about the business of dog grooming and welcomed over 300 women inside the doors of The Grooming Goddess Academy membership since its launch in 2025. 

My seasonal podcast "The Dog Groomers' 2026 Reset" was highly acclaimed by Colin Taylor and the Academy has featured in Total Grooming Magazine several times with a front cover in June 2025 & again in April 2026. 

Welcome to my world. It's a place where dog groomers deserve better & we do everything we can to deliver that! 

I hope it becomes your world too. 

Let’s get started! 

Karen x