Story & Lesson Highlights with Dede Croy of Fort Worth

We recently had the chance to connect with Dede Croy and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Dede, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
My sister told me over and over and for so long that I need to be a comedian. So over a year ago, I have used my YouTube Channel which has nothing to do with comedy, on the contrary, I groom aggressive, senior, matted, disabled dogs and cats! nothing to do with laughing lol! And, I am afraid to step into the light of the comical skits I have done so far for over a year, but they really make us all laugh A LOT! Maybe my sister was right!!! Now how do I go into the next step?!?

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, my name is Dede Croy! I grew up in an Air Force family. I joined at 17 myself and I have traveled the world. I moved to Texas in 2003 while I finished my Bachelors I became a pet groomer. I have always had 3 + j0bs at one time, and I still do now, but I work with some of the meanest dogs and cats on the planet. I became a groomer, but disagreed with the process of grooming a pet. Having a clients pet in a cage all day etc. So, I went on my own. I worked in 1 hour increments, yup, groomed small to big dogs in 1 hour! I later started filming to show the client what their pet was doing and why I would need them to help me stop waiting so long to get them groomed for behavior, matted, or aggression. Those videos became what my YouTube is now if not more. I work with the animals that have been harmed by others. Whether a groomer, a veterinarian, a vet tech, the owner even. So, I want to have full transparency. So, I film while I work, in most case I am filming on a LIVE YouTube, FB, or TikTok feed while I work with that animal so the owner can watch in real time. And, if it’s really bad; the temperment, age, demeanor of the pet, guess who I call into the room to help?! The OWNER! Because the Owner is the pets best advocate, he/she loves their dog, so it’s the best fit!

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
My mom, who has since passed away in Jan 2024 taught me everything I need to know about work. She once told me to work hard. Not to expect someone else to carry me that I would need to make my own way. She engrained it in me in her own work ethic, even after working in her life, her home life was like a structured job. She wouldn’t sleep until everything was done. Which is what wore her body down so. She had spinal surgery many times and the pain never ceased. She was in a lot of pain in her later years. My heart hurts for it. Ironically, my work ethic and hours of work non stop all hours of the day and night have driven me and molded me and shaped me but also over do me too. She would go on to say “you are working too hard” and I would respond, “you taught me this”. She would have it no other way either. lol. I miss her deeply. But, she taught me how to work so hard and work until it’s done. Could I just say, have balance. I have learned to allow myself to breath, to have fun, to enjoy the sunsets and the present. You won’t get this time back. It won’t look the same, you never know when you won’t be able to do it again; walk, run, swim, travel. So, don’t put it on hold, do it now, do it daily.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I remember another local pet groomer called me and told me the standards you are expecting of pet owners is making other groomers look bad. The amount of vaccinations I require to come in are taking a toll on her business and she would like me to stop requiring so many vaccinations to come into my business!
I had a good friend, yup, someone that I considered a good friend tell me that the way I was grooming, one at a time, hourly and then they go home, wouldn’t be successful! I remembering thinking, but I am in business right now! I am doing well, I help many, and owners love that they don’t have to leave their pet. I just couldn’t wrap my mind around how in a sly way this might have been an attempt to make me lose hope, change or even quit.
I had another groomer looking for a job come in and interview. He looked at my prices and said my prices were to high I wouldn’t be successful. I told him he was here to try to get a job and I was paying him so why is he so concerned about my prices! Well, I never heard back from him until one day years later when a client of his came in for pet grooming on two shihtzus that she spoke about the service she received from his business down the road and what he had done to them and I guess he was watching my YouTube channel and he came to my place of business taking photos of my license plates, me, and more. I confronted him in his car and started recording him then he started recording me and I was like what are you doing! He said he was the one that applied to my business five years earlier and he didn’t like what I was saying about his business, I told him I don’t know his business but I can’t help what clients say about his business on my YouTube channel. I could go on and on, including hateful people that don’t know anything about me or anything about my business making judgement on it. But, people near to me, close to me, far from me, strangers, all have their own input and many want to tear you down, bring you down, control where you go in life and in your business. It took years to learn the lessons that why should I worry about them worrying about me! I am too busy to worry about what you want me to do and don’t want me to do. I know what I am doing, what I want, what I am dreaming of, what my clients love, what people and animals deserve and I haven’t let anyone stop me from moving forward! It’s hard to block others out, but you must, and some people say they love you, but they don’t. Be careful as you travel through life who you believe! Believe in God!

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, the public version, the loud, hyper, fun, loud version is quite me. I film most anything I do. You can usually see all sides of me in the public eye. Whether its a night out dancing salsa, the serious pet groomer that could get bit by this 150 pound mean dog, the loud screaming fortnite gamer, or the tired relaxing lady cuddling with the senior dogs. I share all sides of my world on my YouTube Channel @myfavoritegroomer

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
I would stop holding back. I believe I am already making stride in this idea anyway. Get rid of the “stuff” get simplified, eat better, use less chemicals, have less chemicals in your house in your breathing space, do what makes you happy a little every day; fly the kite, blow bubbles, have a bubble bath, draw, dance, write, see friends, call loved ones, balance work every day, don’t wait to do the little things; send the letters and post cards, buy the gifts. Just don’t hoard, don’t over eat, don’t over do anything, be in balance. But, I would stop allowing anything toxic into my body and my spirit.

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