After Hours: Marcie Arnold

After Hours Episode #117: In this episode of After Hours, I’m hanging out with Jayne Gallagher for a real, no-filter conversation about what’s happening in our grooming industry. We get into quick-fix grooming courses, why there’s no substitute for hands-on experience, and the pressure to stay relevant on social media. We share some laughs, stories, and a few frustrations along the way, talking about what it really means to be a professional groomer and why we need to be careful about who we’re learning from. We also talk about supporting each other, finding balance, and remembering that you don’t have to follow the crowd or be someone you’re not. Just be yourself. That’s where your real superpower is.

SummaryIn our latest episode of The Daily Groomer, I sit down with Preston Douglas of Bigfoot Mobile Grooming, a former truck driver who sold his semi in 2023, bought a grooming trailer, and learned the trade from his wife at a local shelter. Their first year brought in about $15,000, and Preston worked shifts at Domino’s between grooms to get by. Now their phone won’t stop ringing. We get into what turned it around: Google reviews, the pet Instagram he started while trucking that became the business account, and why he posts the messy grooms along with the good ones. He also shares his plans to grow Bigfoot across Texas without hauling 100-pound dogs into his 50s. If you’re starting out on your own and wondering when it’ll click, give this one a listenTimestamps07:05 Marketing misconceptions and early challenges13:56 Challenges of Starting a Grooming Business20:36 TikTok's impact on business25:27 Asking for audience feedback26:04 Preston's social media and business infoStay connected with our guest speakers! Follow them on their social media bigfoot_pet. Curious about Teddy? You can sign up here. For more grooming tips, insights, and stories, check out our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Daily Groomer⁠⁠⁠⁠. Join and be part of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Daily Groomer Community⁠⁠!

After Hours Episode #116: In this episode of After Hours, I’m catching up with my friend Sharita Goode, and we’re getting into some real talk about the grooming industry. We talk about the difference between being an influencer and being an educator, why accountability matters, and how important it is to share the right information, especially on social media. We also swap stories about difficult clients and dogs, and Sharita shares more about Diamonds in the Ruff and the work she’s doing to help families who need grooming services for their pets. It’s an honest conversation about our industry, looking out for each other, and remembering why the work we do matters.

🚐 Pricing for Profit: How to Build a Smarter Mobile Grooming Pricing Strategy (Free Masterclass)​Pricing for Profit: How to Build a Smarter Mobile Grooming Pricing Strategy​Presented by The Daily Groomer and Wag’n Tails​Pricing your services isn't just about picking a number—it's one of the biggest decisions you'll make as a mobile groomer.​Charge too little, and you'll work harder for less. Charge too much without a strategy, and attracting the right clients becomes more difficult.​In this Mobile Grooming Masterclass, we'll break down how to build a pricing strategy that supports a profitable, sustainable mobile grooming business—from setting your base rates to knowing when it's time to raise your prices.​No guesswork. No generic formulas. Just practical advice you can apply to your own business.​Chris will share how successful mobile grooming businesses approach pricing—and the factors that matter most when building a profitable business.​We'll cover:​Why mobile grooming pricing is different from salon pricing​How to build pricing around your costs, goals, and schedule​Common pricing mistakes that hold new mobile businesses back​How to price for premium convenience without competing on price alone​When and how to increase your prices with confidence​Charging for add-on services, oversized pets, travel, and special handling​How smart pricing creates a healthier, more sustainable business​…plus YOUR questions, answered live​Whether you're creating your first price list or reevaluating your current rates, you'll leave with practical ideas you can put into action right away.​🎤 Guest Expert​Chris Elias​Co-Founder & CEO, DapperTails Franchising​Founder • Operator • Franchise Builder • Mobile Grooming Growth Strategist​Chris is the co-founder and CEO of DapperTails, where he's built and scaled a mobile grooming brand into a franchise system. Having priced, staffed, and stress-tested mobile units across multiple markets, he brings an operator's view of what actually drives margin in the van — and shares the pricing frameworks he uses to turn a busy schedule into a profitable one.​​📍 Mobile Grooming Masterclasses​This workshop is a part of our Mobile Grooming Masterclasses, designed for groomers exploring mobile or in the early stages of building their business.August 3⁠​Buying Your Mobile Grooming Van: How to Choose, Finance, and Purchase the Right Vehicle⁠August 10⁠​Pricing for Profit: How to Build a Smarter Mobile Grooming Pricing Strategy⁠​August 31⁠Build a Brand That Books: Marketing Your Mobile Grooming Business and Winning More Customers⁠​🐾 Why Attend?​A strong pricing strategy can make the difference between staying busy and building a business that's actually profitable.​Learn how to price for profit instead of just staying competitive​Understand what factors should influence your rates​Avoid common pricing mistakes that cost mobile groomers money​Build confidence when setting or raising your prices​Walk away with practical ideas to strengthen your business​Bring your questions. Leave with a pricing strategy that's built for long-term success.

After Hours Episode #115: In this episode of After Hours, I’m hanging out with Jayne Gallagher, and we’re getting into the real stuff that comes with being a groomer. We talk about burnout, difficult clients, feeling unsupported in the industry, and why you need to know your worth and stand by it. We share some stories, talk through a few frustrations, and get into our seven rules for life and grooming. Because let’s be honest, this industry can be tough, and sometimes you just need to talk about it with someone who gets it. So, let’s get into it!

🚐 Buying Your Mobile Grooming Van (Free Masterclass)​Buying Your Mobile Grooming Van: How to Choose, Finance, and Purchase the Right Vehicle​Presented by The Daily Groomer and @WagnTailsMobile ​Buying a mobile grooming van is one of the biggest investments you'll make but how do you know you're choosing the right one?​In this Mobile Grooming Masterclass, we'll walk through the entire buying process with someone who's helped countless groomers purchase their first (or next) mobile grooming vehicle.​From choosing the right layout to understanding financing or leasing, budgeting, and avoiding costly mistakes, this workshop is designed to help you make a confident decision before you sign on the dotted line.​💬 What You’ll Learn​Ninoshka will break down what goes into buying a mobile grooming van and what every groomer should know before making such a major investment.​We'll cover:​How to determine if you're financially ready to buy a mobile grooming van​What to look for when comparing different van layouts and features​The pros and cons of buying new vs. used​Financing options and what lenders typically look for​Common buying mistakes that can cost you thousands​Questions you should ask before purchasing any mobile grooming vehicle​Tips for budgeting beyond the purchase price, including insurance, maintenance, and operating costs​…plus YOUR questions, answered live​🎤 Guest Expert​Ninoshka Tashira​Ninoshka Tashira is the owner of Groovy Pups, a successful mobile grooming business built from the ground up.​After discovering grooming through her own rescue dog, she started with a $300 investment, grooming from clients' homes and her garage before launching her mobile business. Known for her calm, compassionate approach and commitment to one-on-one, cage-free care, Ninoshka has become a respected voice in the mobile grooming industry.​She is passionate about helping groomers confidently make the leap into mobile, sharing practical advice on buying the right van, overcoming early challenges, and building a thriving business centered on exceptional client and pet experiences.​📍 Mobile Grooming Masterclasses​This workshop is a part of our Mobile Grooming Masterclasses, designed for groomers exploring mobile or in the early stages of building their business.August 3​Buying Your Mobile Grooming Van: How to Choose, Finance, and Purchase the Right VehicleAugust 10​Pricing for Profit: How to Build a Smarter Mobile Grooming Pricing Strategy​August 31Build a Brand That Books: Marketing Your Mobile Grooming Business and Winning More Customers​🐾 Why Attend?​If you're serious about launching a mobile grooming business, buying the right van is one of the most important decisions you'll make.​Understand what you can realistically afford​Learn how to compare vans with confidence​Avoid expensive purchasing mistakes​Get practical advice on financing and budgeting​Leave with a clearer understanding of what to look for before you buy​Whether you're just starting your research or ready to purchase, this session will help you move forward with confidence.

In this episode of After Hours, I talk about what it really means to be yourself and how easy it is to lose sight of who you are when you’re caught up in everyone else’s expectations. We explore what makes you unique, how to reconnect with the person you’ve always been, and how to let go of the things that have changed the way you show up in the world. Through honest conversations and practical exercises, I challenge you to stop trying to be who you think you should be and start embracing who you are. It all comes back to showing up as yourself with calm, confidence, and consistency.

SummaryIn our latest episode of The Daily Groomer, I bring together Elizabeth Gibbs, Megan Murphy, Brittany Moon, and Josh Fitzgerald from Zoomin’ Groomin, Salty Dog, and across the grooming industry to discuss the launch of a brand-new grooming academy. We explore why hands-on training and passionate people matter, how to shape a standout curriculum, and what it takes to build a positive grooming culture. Hear stories from business owners about what makes a successful groomer beyond just technical skills, and get an inside look at our vision for expanding grooming education nationwide. Whether you’re a groomer, pet lover, or entrepreneur, you won’t want to miss this one!Timestamps07:11 Career journey and industry insights12:56 Finding Passionate Employees21:19 Promoting dog grooming as a career28:25 Encouraging passion and resourcefulness32:54 Company benefits and support initiativesStay connected with our guest speakers! Follow them on their social media @gibbsgrooming, @saltydawgatlanta, @brittshousecallgrooming and Josh Fitzgerald. Curious about Teddy? You can sign up here. For more grooming tips, insights, and stories, check out our website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Daily Groomer⁠⁠⁠⁠. Join and be part of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Daily Groomer Community⁠⁠!

Part III of the Start Series​Presented by The Daily Groomer and  @WagnTailsMobile  ​If you’ve been thinking about going mobile — this is where it all comes together.​After covering the decision and the reality of mobile grooming in the first two sessions, this final workshop is about putting the pieces together into a clear, actionable plan.​We’re breaking down what it actually takes to go from “thinking about it” to running a real mobile grooming business.​No guesswork. No overwhelm. Just a roadmap you can follow.​💬 What You’ll Learn​Bailey will walk through the key components of launching and operating a mobile grooming business — giving you a clear picture of what to expect and how to prepare.​We’ll cover:​The true start-up costs of going mobile (and how to plan for them)​What day-to-day operations actually look like once you’re up and running​How to approach pricing and profitability from the start​The fundamentals of marketing your mobile business locally​What kind of lifestyle changes to expect when you go mobile​How to set yourself up for long-term success (not just getting started)​…plus YOUR questions, answered live and unfiltered​This session is designed to give you a clear, practical roadmap so you can move forward with confidence and direction.​🎤 Guest Expert​Bailey Hope​Owner, Picture Pawfect 101 (DFW, Texas)​Bailey Hope is the owner of Picture Pawfect 101, a luxury mobile dog grooming service based in the Dallas–Fort Worth area. Known for her high-end grooming experience and attention to detail, Bailey has built a standout brand that blends premium service with strong customer relationships.​As a business owner and mobile grooming advocate, she actively shares her journey online — educating pet parents, motivating fellow groomers, and offering a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to grow a successful mobile operation.​📍 Part of the Start Series​This workshop is Part III of the Mobile Grooming Growth Summit – Start Track, designed for groomers exploring mobile or in the early stages of building their business.​Part I – May 4​Salon & Mobile: What It Takes to Build Beyond One Model​Part II – May 18​What It’s Really Like to Run a Mobile Grooming Business​Part III – June 1​The Roadmap to Going Mobile: How To Start, Launch, and Grow Your First Van​🐾 Why Attend?​If you’re serious about going mobile, this is the session that ties everything together.​Get a clear understanding of what it takes to get started​Learn how to avoid common pitfalls early on​Build a realistic plan for your business​Walk away with a roadmap you can actually follow​Bring your questions. Leave with a plan.​🔜 Coming Later This Year​The Scale Track — focused on multi-van owners and operators looking to grow — will be announced later this summer.

After Hours Episode #113: In this episode of After Hours, I had a chat with Jayne Gallagher and Sashsa Riess to talk about family constellations and how our family history can shape the way we show up in life and in grooming. We get into generational patterns, ancestral wounds, and even how our relationships with animals can sometimes bring things to the surface that we didn’t realize were there. We also challenge each other to take on a 40-day writing journey to reconnect with our roots. It’s a really honest conversation that might have you looking at yourself, your relationships, and your own story a little differently.