Today we’d like to introduce you to Angielic Smith.
Hi Angielic , it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I moved to Texas, with a three month old baby, when I was 26 years old. My first job in Texas was a professional bather for a corporate pet salon and retail chain. I ended up going through their grooming academy, and then interning with the company. After a few years, I went into management for their pet salons. In 2012, I ended up starting my own business consulting for other pet services businesses. My first contract was with a vet clinic to expand their grooming business. Since that time, I have helped to open and expand multiple grooming businesses, in and around DFW. Today, I’m mostly a private pet groomer, serving both cats and dogs. My business has largely been a referral based business, so I have never needed to advertise. By the grace of God, I have somehow amassed a private clientele base, all over DFW. I become like an extension of family to most of my customers. They are gracious to pre-book me, throughout the year. I prefer private grooming to working in salons or even van services. I really get to know the families that I serve, and their pets, on a more personal level. The mobile van services are also very gracious to me. They refer me to families with pets that cannot be safely groomed in salons or vans, due to health issues or behavior problems. I have also been blessed to be shared by a few local influencers, online; that love has made a big difference in getting my name out there. My customers have always been so generous to me; I have had opportunities to fly to other states to work with their pets, had invites to family functions, and even been trusted to be part of the process when saying goodbye to their beloved pets. It’s also a bonus to get to work in some of the most beautiful homes in the most affluent parts of DFW. I really enjoy that part! I didn’t plan to work with pets when I was a young, but it is very fitting. I had a very rough life, as a child. I saw and experienced things that children shouldn’t have to. My dogs were always a source of comfort and peace for me. Being a part this industry for 22 years has taught me that working with pets is very healing. I’ve watched my industry transform, these years, and I am grateful to be a small part of it. Today, I am a divorced, single mother of four children. Being a private groomer has given me the freedom and flexibility to be with my children, during the important moments. I look back over all that I’ve been able to accomplish, and I am grateful to God. This business has been more of a ministry to myself and to others. Some days, I walk into my customer‘s homes and get prayed for where I end up praying for them. We have dried each other‘s tears, and shared about our families and our hardships. My customer always become like family to me, and I am grateful to the Lord for my people and their pets.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I went through a traumatic divorce when I was a young mother. I was caught up in frivolous family court litigation for almost 12 straight years. During that time, I was suffering from autoimmune issues. I dealt with complex PTSD, and extreme and instability. When my children were little, I was couch surfing, and hotel hopping. I was being destabilized by frivolous family court litigation and health related issues. I lost multiple homes, through that process. I honestly don’t know how I made it through that period of time, but by the grace of God.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Collar Culture Pets?
I am a private pet groomer that serves families all over DFW. I am a referral based business, and people share me with friends and family, and people in their social circles. I specialize in high anxiety pets, and pets with pre-existing health conditions. The pets that I serve have a hard time being groomed in salons or mobile vans. I have witnessed a lot of abuse in the pet grooming industry. I believe it gives parents comfort to have their pet groomed the comfortable place- their own home. I believe that I am set apart, because of my professionalism, and my love for the pets in my care. Families are not used to a groomer, giving them her full background. When I meet new families, I tell them my educational background, first. I tell them about my training, and my dedication to their pets safety. I clearly articulate the process of grooming to each pet parent, so they will know what to expect. I demystify the grooming process, so that parents will feel more comfortable. Although I see many anxious pets, I recognize that their parents can also be very anxious. I am most proud of the relationships that I have built with families. I’m grateful that they trust me in their homes, and with one of their most prized possessions- their fur babies. I would like your readers to know that I pray for every family that I see, and I pray over their pets. I’m a Christian, and it’s a great honor to represent Jesus in my vocation.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Prior to becoming a Pet Stylist, I worked in the fashion and music industries.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/collarculturepets
