Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Fatizzi.
Hi Michelle, 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 have always been an animal lover and growing up as an only child, found solace in the company of my pets. I started working with dogs over 20 years ago when I was 16 years old, at a boarding/daycare business that also offered grooming. I pride myself in being very patient and compassionate to every animal I meet. I started my career into pet grooming as a bather in 2014 and have since been further developing my skills. I have experience as a mobile and in-home groomer, specializing with anxious and fearful dogs. I have learned to focus on creating a feeling of comfort and relaxation for dogs, so that their experience with me is as pleasant as possible. I now have my own grooming business and we also offer boarding and daycare. I wouldn’t be where I am now nor would I have been able to hone in my grooming skills without the help of my good friend Chris Lacquement, who I met all those years ago at the boarding facility that I became a pet caregiver at. He believed in me and my abilities even at times when I didn’t believe in myself. Now, I’m a mom of two little girls, and I look forward to being able to help all the animals I get to meet everyday.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely been a challenge to get to where I am now.
Dog grooming takes ALOT of patience and confidence. I have always struggled and sometimes still do with confidence. I didn’t have pride in my work because of this but over years of having to get through it I was able to harness my patience to confidently finish grooms on dogs that most groomers had turned away because of their anxiety or fearful aggression.
Now I know that humanity must come before vanity. Some dogs just can’t get that perfect “instagram” groom and they don’t need to, as long as they’re healthy and comfortable is all that matters.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about K9 Cuts Board & Groom?
I am part owner of a grooming, boarding and daycare business. We have been there 2 and a half years now but the previous owners were there for over 20 years. Since my business partner and I took over, we have been able to increase our ratings with google, yelp and build up our reputation again as the previous owners had not been scheduling any new clients. We have effortlessly gained our clients trust by showing compassion and having great communication to provide them with exactly what their wants and needs are. We use high quality products in our grooming salon and provide a variety of options catered to each pets skin and coat type. I personally specialize in grooming senior and anxious dogs which has worked out well with most of our long time clients now having elderly pets that have spent most of their lives being groomed by the previous business owners. I pride myself on being able to groom most any dog that has come into our shop. We also offer walk in nail trims and have been told by numerous clients that no others had been successful as we are in clipping their pets nails.
We also offer daycare and boarding for dogs and cats. Unlike most facilities that just see pets as numbers/$$ and try to take in as many as possible, we offer a more personable service with limited space. We provide one on one interaction with each dog, walking them throughout the day ensuring they have plenty of potty breaks.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
The best thing that has worked for me is to always stay positive and take any new interaction as an opportunity to learn. Everyone has had different experiences in their lives and learned things in different ways, so meeting someone new is a great way to build your personality and learn new things as well. As far as finding a mentor, I think I just lucked out by having the right people believe in me and I wish I would’ve believed in myself sooner
Pricing:
- Full grooms starting at $65
- Boarding starting at $25
- Daycare for $15
- Bathing starting at $35
Contact Info:
- Website: https://k9cutsgarland.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/k_9cuts
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553585811636
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/k-9-cuts-garland-2
Image Credits
Michelle Fatizzi
