We recently had the chance to connect with Chelsea Oats and have shared our conversation below.
Chelsea, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
My team! I am so super proud of my girls. They are all supportive for not only me, but for each other and any new team member.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hey hey! My name is Chelsea, and I’m the proud owner of Chelsea’s Canine Creations Mobile Grooming and Devine Doggies Grooming Salon.
I started my journey in October 2020, just me and my grooming tools, offering house-call services right inside clients’ homes, or even outside in their yards! Since then, I have grown quickly. Today, I am running two mobile vans, a salon, and I’m lucky enough to work alongside a team of seven amazing people.
We’ve got some exciting expansion ideas floating around, so stay tuned for what may be next!
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
My relationship with my mom. She is such a passionate, sweet and caring woman and her and I are very alike. She has always been a supportive roll in everything I have ever done. No matter what she has been there behind the sidelines, being my cheerleader. Even with always working full time, that never stopped her from being there for all of my school or sports events. That went right along with how she raised me to be me. Her caring and supportive manner has always taught me to be kind to myself. She always reminds me to not beat myself up and to give myself grace. She has been one of my biggest supporters when it has came to my business as well!
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
My anxiety of social acceptance and what others think about me. I believe most people deal with this, some more than others. This used to be a super difficult issue for me, but as I have gotten older I have become more confident. I have my days of course. I think society paints such a picture that we always have to be perfect or socially accepted. Especially with social media where many only post the best of the best life events or pictures with the right angles, it makes us forget that we are allowed to slip up, allowed to be human. It is probably always something I will deal with, but when you realize that no one cares and to just be you, it is feeeing and gives you a, healthy not vain, sense of feeling unstoppable.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
That we always need to do what the client wants or asks for… WRONG! Grooming is percieved as a customer service based career. Although we do take pride in our customer service, we will not always please the clients because we are there for the pets. We see so many dogs who are matted, old or aggressive that the pet parents have unrealistic goals for their grooming session. If a dog is matted and it is not safe to demat, they are getting shaved. If a senior pet comes in and they are having the utmost difficulty with their groom, we do what we can. If a pup is aggressive and has a particularly hard day, for their safety and the groomers, we call it. It is humanity over vanity. I could not count the amount of times I have had to tell an owner that showed me a picture they pulled from the internet of a well mantained dog that likely gets groomed monthly that it will not be the same as their dog who is pelt matted. Groomers need to do a better job of setting that foundation to their clients. We were all raised on the “customers always right” mentality and many still follow that ideaology. I love my clients, but if we cannot accomplish something for the sake of the dog’s or the groomer’s well being this will be discussed. I would like to see more informed pet parents. There is soo much information out there and many just neglect to do the research.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I would 1,000% say what I was born to do. Growing up my parents always had a lot of animals. I took after them in the aspect of my love and passion for animals. I was the one who always wanted a new pet or always wanted to save and rescue anything and everything, like they did when I was young. I tried to start a dog walking business when I was in middle school. I always knew I wanted to work with animals, I just never knew how. Until one day a friend suggest grooming. Being a creative person I fit so well into the industry. Although I never necessarily saw myself having employees, after working at many jobs that I was treated unfairly I am so glad I can cultivate and create a healthy environment for my staff. That is something I truly take pride in.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cccpetgrooming.com/ , https://www.devinedoggiesgrooming.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chelseascaninecreations/ , https://www.instagram.com/devine_doggies_grooming/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chelseascaninecreations , https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063926955490
Image Credits
Paw Prints Photography
