January is the traditional month of new beginnings. We all want to be more healthy, better at our lives and make big important changes when the beginning of a new year comes around! This month AGA is very proud to share with you a double success story of one of our most loved graduates. Lauren Anderson is an alumni of American Grooming Academy. Her story of success is very important to AGA and we are so very proud of her!
“Lauren always made me laugh!” Instructor Kat said of having Lauren as a student. This mother, wife and forever happy student was a ray of sunshine. Every year since graduation, Lauren would seek out the AGA booth at local grooming expos, come to seminars and continue her education. Lauren consistently kept us updated on her dreams, goals and aspirations and we are happy to report the dream of stationary salon ownership is now a reality!
After graduation Lauren acquire her mobile pet grooming trailer and started her own business. Lauren’s grooming became very popular and she instantly was booked up, with too little time and too many clients. Lauren has now, successfully opened a stationary grooming salon in Santee California. Very Important Pet is just about the cutest salon we have seen in a long time!
Lauren and husband, Derick are a dynamite team when it comes to their partnership and the success of this student makes us very happy!
We caught up with Lauren to see how things are moving along and asked her some Very Important Pet Questions! Lauren is a winner, she has succeeded in every one of her quests, so we were surprised to hear that failing is her biggest fear.
“The hardest thing to accomplish in building and growing my own grooming business was getting over my fear of failing at it.”
At AGA we hear many students who have fears of not making it. The truth is, with education behind them, our students are bound to succeed. We build relationships with our students for life, so much of the time they know they can count on us for help when they need it. Since Lauren has been grooming for many years we wanted her opinion on what has been the best thing experience has taught her.
“The most important thing I have learned in my years grooming on my own is to always try and understand the animal. If they are lashing out or acting irregular, there is a good chance pain, fear or underlying health issues are the problem. Knowing and understanding this can make the grooming experience easier for both of us!”
As a lover of rescue dogs, Lauren does do some non profit grooming as well as opens her business to rescue pets of all ages, sizes and circumstances. “My very BEST days are the days I get to help rescue dogs!!!”
As an alumni, it is part of being a member of AGA that our graduates give advise to our students. We asked Lauren what she would tell students currently enrolled in AGA.
“First, I would tell them to NEVER stop learning, there are always new ways of doing things that may work better than you ever thought! Two, ALWAYS keep your wrists straight or you will be in a lot of pain!”
Lauren’s new shop is something she has wanted for a long time and when we asked her what was the very best thing about being a business owner she answered like the amazing working mother she is! “The very best thing is being able to bring my kids to work when I need to and making my own schedule!”
Lauren has big plans for her future concerning her education. Lauren would like to eventually become Master Certified through International Professional Pet Groomers association, which is one of the highest certifications in the world. She would also like to embark on creative grooming competitions with her Standard Poodle Mars and is working towards that goal!
We are simply as proud of Lauren as we possible can be. She is a shining example of what one person can do with drive, education and goals. We are so happy to consider her part of the AGA family and we are excited to see where she goes from here!
If you are interested in a career in the multi million doallar pet industry call AGA today to set up a campus tour or vist us at www.americangrooming academy.com