Sue began her grooming career at the age of 13 in 1968, starting with her first poodle. Soon after, her family started showing their first Borzoi at AKC dog shows, marking the beginning of a lifelong journey in the world of grooming and dog shows. During these early years, she participated in Junior Showmanship and learned to groom and show a Wire Fox Terrier, a Smooth Fox Terrier, and a Newfoundland. By the age of 16, she was working with an AKC handler at dog shows on weekends and spending more time grooming in her family’s salon.
At 19, she achieved her AKC Handler’s License for showing Borzoi, Afghans, and her heart breed, Newfoundlands. In 1975, she got married and began raising a family. While dog shows took a backseat, grooming became her full-time career, allowing her to support her family while excelling in her craft.
Fast forward to 1999, with her four children grown and leaving home, Sue found herself burnt out and seeking a new challenge. Her sister, also a groomer, suggested attending a grooming show and entering a dog in competition. That decision revitalized her passion for grooming and launched her competition years. During this time, she won numerous classes, group placements, Best All Around Groomer Awards, and Best in Shows. The experience enhanced her everyday grooming skills and inspired her to offer new services to her clients.
While competing, she pursued certifications to validate her skills. She earned her certification from IPG and later achieved her Master Groomer Certification from NDGAA. She served on Groom Team USA for five years, competing internationally and helping the team win a Silver Medal in France. Over the years, she received several prestigious awards, including the Cardinal Crystal American Groomer of the Year awards for 2002, 2003, and 2004, and the Wahl Groomer of the Year award presented at the Westminster Dog Show in 2005.
After retiring from competition, Sue started a mobile grooming business called Best All Around Groomer with a Wag N’ Tails Elite Truck. The business quickly flourished, and she was closed to new clients within six months. After ten successful years, she sold the truck and returned to working in a salon, mentoring newer groomers and helping one of them open her own salon, where Sue stayed for five years before retiring.
Throughout her career, she has been honored to contribute to the grooming community. She became part of the Wahl Clipper Elite Team, traveling to shows, performing grooming demos, and sharing her expertise. She also began judging and speaking at grooming shows, with her most popular class being Handling the Difficult Dog. These opportunities allowed her to guide groomers through challenges and help them avoid the burnout she once experienced.
In 2020, Sue retired from full-time grooming but continued to travel the world for Wahl Clipper as their Lead Technical Trainer. She is also a proud mentor for Paragon Pet School’s online grooming program, helping students master the art of grooming. In September 2024, she was honored with the AKC Leadership Award in recognition of her contributions to improving the well-being of dogs and the people who love them.
Today, she lives in Georgia with her husband, their dog Calliope, and their cat Thackery. Grooming has not just been her career—it has been her life.