Meet Ciara Dickinson

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ciara Dickinson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Ciara, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

I would say my resilience comes from my grandmother and my mother. They are truly the foundation of who I am today. My grandmother was a college professor and a single mother of three, and my mother works for a large corporation where she consistently gives her all. Watching both of these women excel in their careers while managing immense responsibilities, often without much support, showed me what true resilience looks like. Those examples shaped my work ethic, mindset, and determination. No matter the challenges I face, I know I have what it takes to push through and get things done. As a solopreneur, resilience isn’t optional, it’s essential.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I have been grooming dogs for 15 years and running my own business for the past eight, and while I genuinely love what I do, becoming a groomer was never part of my original plan. From the age of five, I dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. Unfortunately, my SAT scores did not meet the requirements for veterinary school, so I enrolled in a private college and focused on biology courses instead. I supported myself through college by working at a local PetSmart in the small animals department. Although I enjoyed my role, I often found myself spending time in the grooming salon, drawn to the dogs and the environment.

When I could no longer afford tuition and had to leave school, I worked briefly at an animal hospital caring for pets that stayed overnight. Shortly after, I returned to PetSmart, near where I lived, this time as a bather in the grooming salon. I quickly fell in love with the work, caring for dogs and helping them look and feel their best. My salon manager and mentor at the time recognized my potential and repeatedly encouraged me to attend grooming academy. I resisted at first, but eventually agreed. That decision turned out to be one of the most important of my career. I went on to become one of the top groomers in my salon and built a strong, loyal clientele.

Over time, I hit a glass ceiling and knew it was time for a change. I left PetSmart and partnered with a friend to start a mobile grooming business while also working at a private grooming shop. We were transparent with our employers about building our own business, and they were supportive as long as we did not interfere with their clients. Eventually, they approached us about taking over their shop. After careful consideration and advice from our advisors, we discovered the business carried significant debt that they expected us to take over. That was not aligned with our goals, so we declined.

I was able to access funds from my PetSmart 401(k) and purchase a mobile grooming bus from a couple exiting the industry. That single investment allowed our business to grow quickly. While the business was successful and lucrative, it came with constant challenges. The grooming bus broke down repeatedly, plumbing froze during winter months, and we faced ongoing logistical hurdles. Still, we pushed through and made it work.

Then the pandemic hit. Our grooming bus finally gave out on us for good, and we were forced to pivot to house-call grooming, working directly in clients’ homes. That shift unexpectedly revealed the most fulfilling part of my work. I now get to step into people’s homes, connect not only with their dogs but with the people who love them. As a naturally sociable person, I thrive on building relationships, making both pets and their owners feel comfortable, valued, and cared for. House-call grooming allows me to create a personalized experience where my clients feel seen and their dogs feel safe. It also gives me the space to be creative, showcase my skills, and pour into both my clients and my mentees in a meaningful way. This is the part of my work that confirms I am exactly where I am meant to be.

Not long after, my business partner decided to step away entirely and moved to New York, leaving me with full ownership of the business. While it may sound exciting, it was terrifying. The responsibility was suddenly mine alone, and I was not fully prepared. I moved back in with my parents and continued running the business solo. I attempted to hire help, but house-call grooming is very different from shop or mobile work, and it was difficult to retain employees. Eventually, I learned how to thrive on my own.

Today, I can confidently say that I am making it work and continue to grow my client base. I believe my success comes from my deep passion for animals, my tenacity, and my resilience. I view setbacks as opportunities to pivot rather than reasons to stop. Learning from other entrepreneurs has helped me build stronger systems for both my business and myself. I now offer membership tiers that allow clients to book their appointments for the entire year, giving me more structure and the freedom to focus on expanding other areas of my business.

This year, I am also returning to grooming competitions. After winning my first competition in 2019 and competing on an HBO Max grooming show in 2020, I discovered a creative side of myself that competitions bring out. More importantly, I want other minority groomers to see what is possible. Representation in grooming competitions is still limited, and that lack of visibility inspired me to create my podcast, Mixxed Thoughts, which explores the experiences of people of color in the pet industry, as well as my YouTube channel where I go into details about dog grooming, running a business and how I make it all work. Season one of the podcast is already available, and season two will launch this year, featuring conversations with industry peers about their journeys.

The final project I am most excited about launching this year is an online community for Black and Brown pet professionals. I have wanted to create this space for a long time because community is essential, especially in an industry where we are often excluded from key conversations. This platform will also include a grooming program designed to help aspiring groomers learn the craft and turn it into a career or business. My goal is to help bridge the gap for pet professionals who want to earn a living aligned with their purpose.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

The three most impactful qualities in my journey have been knowing when to pivot, being a strong team player, and continuously refining my craft. Entrepreneurship has taught me that flexibility is essential. The ability to pivot when something is no longer working has allowed me to survive challenges and grow through them. Being a team player has also been critical, whether that meant learning from mentors, collaborating with partners, or leaning into community. Finally, I believe there is always room to perfect your craft. Staying curious, open to learning, and committed to improvement has helped me elevate my skills and remain competitive in an ever-evolving industry.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

When I feel overwhelmed, I return to nature. I’m someone who genuinely believes in “touching grass.” Spending time outside, whether it’s taking a walk in the park or simply sitting and listening to the sounds around me, helps ground me and reset my nervous system. I also practice meditation, sometimes on a park bench and other times in my car, which gives me space to slow down and gain clarity.

Movement is another powerful outlet for me. Yoga or even an impromptu dance session in my room helps release stress from my body and shift my energy quickly. When I need mental clarity, I’ll take a drive and sit in silence, allowing my thoughts to settle. And when all else fails, I turn to my dog and spend time loving on him. That never fails to bring me back to center.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.popuppoochspa.com
• Instagram: @popuppoochspa, @mixxed_clipz, @life_wit_ciara
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/popuppooch
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mixxedclipz

Image Credits

Narabi King, Tatiana Epps