Wisconsin Rising Star Finds Her True Calling in Grooming
Meet Rising Star and Groom Tech Grad Vanessa Cornell of Pet Supplies Plus in Kenosha, Wisconsin! Vanessa has an unparalleled passion for animals and is truly at home in the grooming salon. One of her biggest strengths is no matter how impressive her work is; she’s always asking for feedback and looking for ways to improve. We’re so excited to see what she’ll accomplish!
Just ask her mentor, Suesan Watson, who shared this with us: “Vanessa was very engaged in the program; she worked hard and stayed on task. She wanted feedback on her work and then used what was given to help her do even better. I know going forward Vanessa will continue to work hard and will make a very good groomer. Well done!”
Why did you choose dog grooming as a career?
I’ve had a passion for animals my entire life, and especially love dogs, cats, and horses. Dogs became a hobby for me in my 20s and I was always expanding my own personal knowledge of canine nutrition, conformation, and basic grooming.
I entered the pet industry in my 30s working for a small pet business, which had a self service dog bath and various grooming items for sale. I then started thinking to myself how fun and rewarding it would be to groom dogs professionally as a career. Soon after that I found myself watching a lot of grooming influencers on YouTube. I knew then that grooming dogs was really what I wanted to do.
I am really glad I have the opportunity to work for Pet Supplies Plus and be a part of their grooming team. It has opened the door to Paragon’s wonderful program and I am so excited for Level 2 and beyond!
What did you enjoy most during your coursework?
I enjoyed working mostly with so many different breeds of dogs. The coursework gets specific, so I am working with many different kinds of coat types to refine my skills. Level 1 really is the foundation to Level 2 I think. It helps to work with a lot of different breeds and how to set them up for a perfect haircut.
Where can we see your work?
You can see me in action at Pet Supplies Plus in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
What are your future goals?
My future goal right now is to move on to Paragons Level 2 Distance Learning Program and graduate. From there I would like to build on my skills as a professional groomer and form a strong client base. I also have a distant dream of completing a Master Class in grooming as well.
Any advice for aspiring groomers?
My best advice is to be as patient as you possibly can. You have to have patience with animals because they can pick up on your own energy. With patience comes focus, always put 100% of your focus into the animal you are working on. You are one on one with the animal and they deserve your undivided attention.
I learned a lot of patience with my own dogs. They taught me a lot about canine behavior and the transfer of energy. I started to learn even more when I entered into grooming professionally and started working with dogs that didn’t really know me. You get to see a wide variety of different behaviors this way.
To second that, don’t be so hard on yourself. Just go with the flow of energy. Be kind to yourself and the animal you are working with. If you both are relaxed everything will go so much better. Do not be afraid to make a mistake either, it’s going to happen sometimes. Mistakes happen so you can learn from them. Always ask for help and advice when you need it too. It’s there to help guide you and make you better at your job. Lastly, have fun with what you are doing. Grooming is more than just a job and money. To me it is a passion and a gift.