Well, I called it when I said there would be a battle of the salons. It all belonged to me, however, and I decided that a high-volume environment is not right for me. Perhaps I'll be able to achieve that someday, but I still prefer to work a little more closely with the dogs. Don't get me wrong, my former salon does a fine job, and part of it is because the routine they have is genuinely theirs; they've refined it for over a decade, and have it down to a T. For a newcomer like me, it just isn't in the cards.
The other salon, although slower, is looking promising. Ran by a good friend of mine, it's an environment that I can readily adapt to, and also where I can really hone and fine-tune my skills. Efficiency really is everything, and it's an area that is currently under construction for me. Even though it's the slow season, I'm using it to my advantage; a low volume of dogs means more time for me to develop a finer eye for detail and better dexterity with my tools. Needless to say, I'm excited to see how far I go in the coming months!
Working in a high-volume environment was uncomfortable for me at this stage. It was like the foot I had in the door of grooming got slammed hard. For this opportunity, I just stuck my other foot right back in! Now it's time to wriggle myself the rest of the way!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
We Are Tired!
Xavier and I are currently on the verge of passing out. This late at night, we engage in one of our favorite pastimes: curling up and watching King of the Hill together!
I realize it's been a while since my last entry. Since then, I've picked up two jobs at two different salons! One of them is very high-volume, and the other one is rather slow this time of year. I have a feeling that there might be a battle over where I stay, but I'd like to keep both. One will help me focus on speed--especially for baths--and the other will help my accuracy, as I might get to do a little more of the grooming there. Between the two, I have a lot of valuable information to obtain. Hot topics right now include snap-on combs, stripping out dead coat with something other than the Furminator, and re-learning a few patterns that are more "correct" for their breeds.
Tomorrow is going to be exhausting, as I'll be focusing primarily on speed bathing. It's definitely a subject I need to work on, but then again, what isn't right now? I take it all as a learning experience. It's like I said in class one day, "I'm willing to try what might come down the pike, and I'll only dismiss something if I KNOW it's stupid!" Hehe. Good times.
Also, Xavier's birthday was yesterday. He turned five, as far as we know. He got Buddy Biscuits, Evo treats, and a giant beef shank. Let's just say that after all that overindulgence, he paid for it this afternoon - whoops! Luckily, he's easy to put back on his normal digestive track. A little rice with his food works wonders - thanks to this advice from my vet, he has spring in his step again. Good thing birthdays only come once a year!
OK, time for King of the Hill!
I realize it's been a while since my last entry. Since then, I've picked up two jobs at two different salons! One of them is very high-volume, and the other one is rather slow this time of year. I have a feeling that there might be a battle over where I stay, but I'd like to keep both. One will help me focus on speed--especially for baths--and the other will help my accuracy, as I might get to do a little more of the grooming there. Between the two, I have a lot of valuable information to obtain. Hot topics right now include snap-on combs, stripping out dead coat with something other than the Furminator, and re-learning a few patterns that are more "correct" for their breeds.
Tomorrow is going to be exhausting, as I'll be focusing primarily on speed bathing. It's definitely a subject I need to work on, but then again, what isn't right now? I take it all as a learning experience. It's like I said in class one day, "I'm willing to try what might come down the pike, and I'll only dismiss something if I KNOW it's stupid!" Hehe. Good times.
Also, Xavier's birthday was yesterday. He turned five, as far as we know. He got Buddy Biscuits, Evo treats, and a giant beef shank. Let's just say that after all that overindulgence, he paid for it this afternoon - whoops! Luckily, he's easy to put back on his normal digestive track. A little rice with his food works wonders - thanks to this advice from my vet, he has spring in his step again. Good thing birthdays only come once a year!
OK, time for King of the Hill!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Stir Crazy!!
So what's been going on now that I'm a grad? Well... not much, actually. I'm in the balance of possibly working at two salons. I won't know for sure until my interview on Saturday. More details to come.
Right now, however, I feel like I haven't styled a Schnauzer or scrubbed a Sheltie in ages! Xavier is going for his bath tomorrow; an afternoon of de-shedding is always fun! I miss working on 4 to 5 dogs a day though. Maybe that means I'm ready for a high-volume salon?
All I want to do is groom. It's coming in due time, but I'm definitely feeling stir crazy. Since I don't have access to dozens of doggies, I'm just listening to Michael Franti's All Rebel Rockers... although that's not really helping any. Now I just want to dance! Hehe!
Right now, however, I feel like I haven't styled a Schnauzer or scrubbed a Sheltie in ages! Xavier is going for his bath tomorrow; an afternoon of de-shedding is always fun! I miss working on 4 to 5 dogs a day though. Maybe that means I'm ready for a high-volume salon?
All I want to do is groom. It's coming in due time, but I'm definitely feeling stir crazy. Since I don't have access to dozens of doggies, I'm just listening to Michael Franti's All Rebel Rockers... although that's not really helping any. Now I just want to dance! Hehe!