Welcome back to Episode 4 of the Hair of the Dog podcast! In this episode, we are pouring up a strong "High Velocity Dryer" cocktail and sitting down with special guest Zoey to talk about the messy, unfiltered business side of the pet grooming industry. We are tackling the hottest topics that everyone loves to argue about on social media. From the legal realities of the 1099 vs. W-2 independent contractor debate to the controversial 50% commission entitlement debate , we’re laying down our honest opinions—whether you agree with them or not! If you've ever transitioned from an employee mindset to an owner mindset , wondered about the hidden expenses of running a brick-and-mortar shop , or dealt with the headaches of opening a new salon and managing contractors, this episode is a must-watch. We also take a hilarious trip down memory lane to discuss how much grooming tech has evolved from old-school stand dryers and heavy tubs to modern cordless clippers.

✨ Don't forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode! Let us know your thoughts on the 50% commission debate in the comments below! 👇 00:00:15 - Welcome to Episode 4 & Mixing the "High Velocity" Cocktail 00:03:35 - The Main Event: The Real Business of Pet Grooming 00:04:30 - Transitioning from Employee to an Owner's Mindset 00:06:00 - Working for a Groomer Owner vs. a Non-Groomer Owner 00:08:00 - The 1099 vs. W-2 Independent Contractor Debate 00:11:00 - The Hidden Fees, Expenses, & Financial Risks of Shop Ownership 00:12:50 - The 50% Commission & Entitlement Debate 00:16:15 - The Reality of Opening a New Shop & Dealing with Contractors 00:21:00 - Managing Employee Emotions & Workplace Dynamics 00:24:35 - Shouting Out the Support Systems (Shops & Husbands!) 00:31:00 - Old School vs. New School Grooming: How Industry Equipment Has Changed 00:33:38 - Outro: Like, Subscribe, and Stay Tuned! #PetGrooming, #GroomingBusiness, #DogGroomer, #1099vsW2, #HairOfTheDogPodcast

Who is ready for a drink and some real talk? 🍹🐾 Sarah and Leah are back behind the mic for Hair of the Dog, talking everything from dog grooming and industry frustrations to managing business and life.

Because we never need an excuse to have a good time, every episode will now feature a dog-themed drink. Kick things off with us as we mix up The Wet Nose—a refreshing twist on a classic mojito. We'll give you our honest review live on air, and we’ll be posting the exact recipe so you can make your own best version at home. Let us know in the comments if you’ll be trying this one!

Join Sarah and Leah for Episode 2 of Hair of the Dog, the podcast specifically for dog groomers and dog-themed cocktail enthusiasts. In this episode, we mix up "The Goldendoodle"—a refreshing blend of cranberry juice, triple sec, and champagne.

In this episode, Sarah and Leah keep it real as they dive into the foundation of the grooming industry, sharing how they got started, the importance of being a bather, and the raw truth about working your way up.

They also introduce their signature dog-themed cocktail — the “Goldendoodle” — and bring their signature unfiltered humor to the realities of the grooming world (yes, including the tough moments and lessons learned along the way).

If you’re new to grooming, thinking about getting into the industry, or just love behind-the-scenes stories from experienced groomers, this episode is packed with insight, laughs, and honesty you won’t hear anywhere else.

✨ In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why starting as a bather is essential in grooming
• What it really takes to become a skilled groomer
• The highs, lows, and humor of the grooming industry
• How these two groomers found their way (even after trying other careers)

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome back to Episode 2 00:30 – What “Hair of the Dog” is all about 01:00 – Meet your hosts: Sarah & Leah 01:30 – The vibe: groomers, dogs, and a little liquor 02:00 – Introducing the “Goldendoodle” cocktail recipe 03:15 – Filming multiple episodes in one session (behind the scenes) 04:00 – Life as dog groomers (and being covered in dog hair) 05:00 – “Are we crazy?” – the realities of the industry 06:30 – The chaos and humor of grooming life 08:00 – Career pivots: trying different paths before grooming 10:00 – Why other industries didn’t stick 12:00 – The truth about income and career expectations 14:00 – Back to basics: how groomers actually get started 15:30 – The importance of being a bather first 17:00 – Why the foundation matters more than people think 19:00 – Hard lessons from early grooming days 21:00 – Tough love in the grooming industry 23:00 – Real talk: criticism, growth, and resilience 25:00 – Final thoughts and setting the stage for future episodes