We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Misty Smolensky a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Misty, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
When I was 6 months old, my grandparents took myself, my twin sister, and older brother and began to raise us. As I grew up I realized more and more how much they gave up and how hard they worked everyday to make sure we had everything we needed even if it meant they did without. I remember the moment I realized this as if it were yesterday. That moment forward I wanted to make sure that I made them proud. I never wanted my grandparents to question if raising us was the right decision or not, My grandparents taught us to work hard even if it isn’t something I enjoyed doing, be honest, dependable and accountable. So every job I have worked I have kept this in mind. I was lucky enough to find my career in one of the things I love most (working with animals) and I can honestly say I have made my grandparents very proud.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
In 2007 I was presented with the opportunity to learn how to groom all breeds including cats, handstripping and hand scissoring. I was introduced to basic dog grooming when I was in high school, but it was hard work and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to continue to pursue this path, so I took a break from grooming. I told myself if I could learn how to groom all breeds correctly then I would consider being a groomer again. When the opportunity presented itself I had to take advantage of it and see where this path would take me. Needless to say I have never looked back since day one. I finally felt like I found what I was good at, what I was meant to do in my life.
Grooming pets opens so many opportunities for creativity and joy in my life. Pet grooming has it’s challenges, rather it is a pet parent that wants a particular look for their fur baby, or maybe it is difficult pet due to age or aggression issues, I love all the challenges that come with this career. Seeing customers happy when they leave and seeing a pet that was scared when they come in and being able to work with them and see them happy and tail wagging when they leave is confirmation that I am doing what I was ment to do.
2 years ago my husband helped me make my dream come true and open a grooming shop. I never thought I would see this day but boy has this new journey been one of my biggest accomplishments in my life. Our shop is a certified fear free grooming salon. Here we have the opportunity to work with pets that are anxious or have not had great experience at other shops. Grooming pets isn’t just about making them looking pretty. You have to get to know them and find what their triggers are (the things they don’t like, or what makes them react). Finding these triggers and creating an environment that they feel safe and comfortable in makes a world of difference with pet grooming. We also have the opportunity to work with lots of doodle. Doodle have a lot of hair that create a blank canvas to do lots of beautiful and Kreativ styles. We offer hand striping for terriers and dyeing pets as well. Rather it is a simple splash of color on the ears or tail or making someone’s pet look like an animal. We do it all.
Stay tuned we have some big things coming next year!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Working for 3 different pet grooming salons taught me what kind of owner I wanted to be. Some people open pet grooming salons as an investment and not because it’s a passion. From my experience having both is important but having the passion and knowledge of pets is the most important and that comes with time and experience.
Continuing education, This industry is rapidly growing. There is always new styles, techniques, new tools being created. I love learning and growing my skill. Rather it be from another groomer or a webinar, or a dog show. This girl is alway looking to learn new things.
Last but not least, my clients! I am a shy person, so talking to people was scary for me. But talking to clients is a big part of grooming. As I became more knowable and confident in my skill, speaking to client and helping them communicate what kind of groom they want came hand and hand. I use to be terrified of the clients that others would consider “picky”. I find that is the majority of my best clients now and I absolutely love and adore my clients.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
My husband! He doesn’t get enough credit for all the things he does. He has supported me from the day I decided to try grooming out. The truth is if it weren’t for him I probably wouldn’t of been brave enough to open my own grooming shop. He is a brilliant and creative man and believes and encouraged me the whole way. He has brought my dreams to reality, literally. He did everything from airbrushing dogs on the wall to making the colorful floors and custom front desk. He has been my number 1 cheerleader and has always helped me believe that there isn’t anything I can’t to. I am forever grateful for him.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kreativpetklips.com
- Instagram: kreativpetklips
- Facebook: Kreativ Pet Klips
