Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Lacquement.
Hi Chris, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I didn’t start with a grand plan or resources. I started with a skill, a work ethic, and a belief that I could do things differently. I learned pet grooming through an apprenticeship model rooted in craftsmanship and care, and early on I saw both the beauty of the trade and the gaps in how the industry treated groomers, pets, and clients.
With about $18,000 saved, I bought a used grooming trailer and pulled it behind my personal SUV. I worked seven days a week, often ten hour days, doing whatever it took to build trust with clients and deliver quality work. That single mobile unit grew into multiple vans and storefront salons across the Dallas Fort Worth area, eventually reaching several million dollars in annual revenue.
Over time, my role evolved from groomer to owner, then to builder and consultant. I have acquired, scaled, and sold businesses, developed teams, and helped other owners strengthen their operations. Today, through K9 Business Solutions and my grooming brands, I focus on elevating standards in the pet care industry, from how groomers are trained to how businesses are structured and valued.
At the core of my journey is something simple. I care deeply about people and animals, and I believe skilled trades deserve respect, professionalism, and legacy. Everything I am building now, including education and mentorship initiatives, is about creating pathways for the next generation to succeed without having to struggle the way many of us did.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, it has not been a smooth road. Like most entrepreneurs, especially in skilled trades, my path was built through trial, pressure, and persistence more than ease. In the early years I worked extremely long hours just to stay afloat, reinvesting everything back into the business and carrying the weight of responsibility for clients, employees, and growth all at once. There were periods of financial strain, operational mistakes, and the constant stress that comes with building something from nothing.
Beyond business challenges, there were personal hurdles as well. My background and earlier life experiences shaped both my drive and my fears. Learning how to lead people, trust others, and build healthy partnerships did not come naturally at first. I had to grow from being someone who did everything myself into someone who could build teams and organizations. That transition was one of the hardest parts of the journey.
I have also faced the realities that come with scaling in a fragmented industry. Finding and training skilled groomers, maintaining consistent quality across locations, navigating acquisitions, and protecting culture while growing are ongoing challenges. Success in this field is not just about expansion. It is about sustaining standards and people at the same time.
Looking back, the struggles were not detours. They were the training ground. They shaped my philosophy of humanity over vanity, my focus on education and mentorship, and my commitment to building systems that make the path easier for the next generation than it was for mine.
We’ve been impressed with White Rock Pet Grooming, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
White Rock Pet Grooming was my first truly successful storefront and the place where my vision for what pet grooming could be really took shape. Up until then I had proven the mobile model, but White Rock was where I translated my philosophy into a physical brand and team environment. It established the standards that all of my businesses that followed would be built on.
What sets White Rock apart is that it was never designed as a high-volume grooming shop. From the beginning the focus was craftsmanship, safety, and relationships. We prioritize proper handling, coat health, realistic scheduling, and low-stress experiences for pets. Clients know their groomer, groomers are given time to do quality work, and the environment is calm and professional rather than rushed or transactional.
We are known for consistent quality and trust. Many of our clients have been with us for years and followed specific groomers through different life stages of their pets. That level of loyalty comes from doing things the right way repeatedly, not the fast way. We also became known for developing skilled groomers. Several team members who trained or worked at White Rock went on to become leaders in my other locations or in the industry.
Brand wise, I am most proud that White Rock proved a grooming business could be both premium and humane. Humanity over vanity was not just a phrase there, it was operationalized in how we scheduled, trained, communicated, and handled pets. It showed that you can build a profitable business without sacrificing standards or people.
What I want readers to know is that White Rock Pet Grooming is not just a neighborhood salon. It represents a model for what ethical, relationship-driven grooming can look like. It is the foundation that led to multiple locations, consulting work, and education initiatives. Everything I built afterward traces back to what we proved was possible at White Rock.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
One of the most influential resources in both my life and business has been the book Be Nice or Else by Winn Claybaugh. Winn is the co-founder of Paul Mitchell Schools and a widely respected educator and speaker in the beauty and service industries. He built a global education culture centered around people, standards, and personal growth, which has had a huge impact on how service-based businesses think about leadership and training.
What makes Be Nice or Else powerful is that it reframes kindness as a strategic strength, not a weakness. The book focuses on building relationships, defusing conflict, leading with empathy, and creating cultures where people feel valued and respected. It teaches that being nice does not mean being passive or a pushover. It means being intentional about how you treat people while still holding high standards.
That philosophy aligns deeply with how I try to run my businesses. In grooming and pet care, we are working with both animals and people in vulnerable situations. The culture you create directly affects safety, trust, retention, and long-term success. The idea that you can build both strong businesses and strong relationships at the same time has shaped how I lead teams, train groomers, and build brands.
I return to that book often because it reinforces something simple but powerful. Skills and systems matter, but how you treat people is what ultimately builds loyalty, reputation, and legacy. That principle shows up in everything I do, from how we handle pets to how we develop our teams and serve clients.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://whiterockpetgrooming.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whiterockpetgrooming/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whiterockpetgrooming
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-lacquement-a47925198/
