Today we’d like to introduce you to The Pin Up Groomer.
Hi The Pin Up Groomer, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Hailing from the West Coast, CoCo, former pin up model, comes to the wonderful Hampton Roads bringing with her a passion and love of animals. As a lifelong pet owner, she understands the value of pet care, and strives to provide the highest level of customer service.
After spending 16 years in the beauty industry, CoCo decided it was time to invest 100% of her talents and love for animals, into pet grooming. She opened the first designated holistic pet grooming facility in Hampton Roads VA. CoCo has utilized her years of experience in rehabilitating abused and neglected animals into helping those pets that others have turned away.
She received her education from Animal Behavior College ranking as a top student performer. She trained and interned with Champion Show Dog Groomer, Carrie DeJan. She also worked along side local groomer Susan Stillman who had over 40 years of grooming knowledge and experience.
The Pin Up Groomer mission statement: “Humanity Not Vanity.” CoCo is an avid believer in cruelty free grooming practices. The Pin Up Groomer strongly adheres to stress free and anxiety free grooming.
The Pin Up Groomer is currently working on expanding their business into pet supplies.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
With any business venture, it has not been a smooth road. There are always struggles with high turn over in this industry. It is a very physically and emotionally demanding career. It isn’t for everyone and that is okay. There are times when employees have had enough of seeing grossly neglected animals. COVID shut downs also presented its own challenges that lead to other challenges. You find a way to keep pushing on as best as you can. Sometimes the hardships present you with new opportunities.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We are probably best known for working with senior dogs and providing grooming services to the local shelter in severe neglect cases. We specialize in working with pet owners and their pets to help train them to tolerate grooming so that it is not an anxiety inducing experience. We don’t perform fast food grooming services. We take our time with each pet to get to know them and understand their unique ticks. Every business needs to make a profit, sure. But we won’t do it at the expense of an animal’s safety.
We are most proud of the fact that we stand by our mission statement. We will always put the animal’s welfare before aesthetics. A cute haircut is nice, but not at the expense of an animal’s wellbeing. Sometimes that doesn’t make for satisfied customers, but it does make for happier dogs/cats. And that is what we prioritize.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Carrie DeJan and Susan Stillman have been amazing supporters and mentors. My family, close friends, and neighbors were the first people to put their trust in me when it came to their pets. I wouldn’t have had my business get off the ground if it was not for them. Also, the people who spread my business through referrals. We grew primarily from word of mouth. That is a testament to the quality of service we provide to the community. Referrals matter to us and we have appreciated every, single one.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thepinupgroomer.com
- Instagram: the_pin_up_groomer
