Hair of the Dog Podcast

Sarah Dieringer & Leigha Martin

When two dog groomers come together....drinks happen!! We share stories about dog grooming and also share beverages that are dog related!!

Episodes

  1. Jul 16

    Barkaritas, Bites, and Behind the Scenes Chaos

    Grab a drink and welcome back to the absolute chaos of Leah and Sarah's world! 🍹 In this unedited, off-the-wall episode of Hair of the Dog, we are completely ditching the script and trading topics for tequila. Whether you are a veteran pet stylist trying to survive a crazy week in the salon, an aspiring shop owner navigating the nightmares of construction and shipping delays, or just a dog lover who appreciates some good old-fashioned kitchen-table bullsh*tting—this one is for you. We are breaking down everything from Sarah's legendary Hill Country Fair "Bakarita" recipe to the cold hard realities of emergency first aid for dog bites. Plus, we dive deep into body mechanics behind the table, why we love (and sometimes hate) grooming chairs, and drop some massive announcements about upcoming legendary guest seminars in San Antonio! 🐾 ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome to Episode 6: Ditching the script and catching up.01:14 – The Official "Bakarita" Recipe: Hill Country Fair Limeade, Corona, and a whole lot of heart.04:08 – Salon Ownership Realities: The nightmare of opening a new shop in San Antonio and damaged freight delivery.06:15 – Automated Customer Service Rants & Language Barriers.08:32 – The Country Accent Breakdown: Iowa, Mississippi, and South Texas identity.12:14 – Learning Whiteboard Spanish in the Grooming Salon.13:32 – Facing the Deep Stuff: Gastric surgery, extreme weight loss, and rewriting relationships with food.17:16 – Ergonomics Behind the Table: Why sitting down to groom will save your body in the long run.19:25 – The Mechanics Chair Hack: The best alternative to traditional, uncomfortable saddle stools.23:15 – Serious Salon Safety: First aid steps for dog bites and understanding fascia injuries.31:20 – Big Announcement: Blake Hernandez is coming to San Antonio this August!33:20 – The Awkwardness of Recording Reels vs. Unfiltered Podcast Lifelines.36:25 – Outro: San Antonio groomer networking... and planning a very unexpected adult party?!

    Barkaritas, Bites, and Behind the Scenes Chaos
  2. Jun 11

    Hair of the Dog Episode 4: The Real Business of Pet Grooming

    Welcome back to Episode 4 of the Hair of the Dog podcast! In this episode, we are pouring up a strong "High Velocity Dryer" cocktail and sitting down with special guest Zoey to talk about the messy, unfiltered business side of the pet grooming industry. We are tackling the hottest topics that everyone loves to argue about on social media. From the legal realities of the 1099 vs. W-2 independent contractor debate to the controversial 50% commission entitlement debate , we’re laying down our honest opinions—whether you agree with them or not! If you've ever transitioned from an employee mindset to an owner mindset , wondered about the hidden expenses of running a brick-and-mortar shop , or dealt with the headaches of opening a new salon and managing contractors, this episode is a must-watch. We also take a hilarious trip down memory lane to discuss how much grooming tech has evolved from old-school stand dryers and heavy tubs to modern cordless clippers. ✨ Don't forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode! Let us know your thoughts on the 50% commission debate in the comments below! 👇 00:00:15 - Welcome to Episode 4 & Mixing the "High Velocity" Cocktail 00:03:35 - The Main Event: The Real Business of Pet Grooming 00:04:30 - Transitioning from Employee to an Owner's Mindset 00:06:00 - Working for a Groomer Owner vs. a Non-Groomer Owner 00:08:00 - The 1099 vs. W-2 Independent Contractor Debate 00:11:00 - The Hidden Fees, Expenses, & Financial Risks of Shop Ownership 00:12:50 - The 50% Commission & Entitlement Debate 00:16:15 - The Reality of Opening a New Shop & Dealing with Contractors 00:21:00 - Managing Employee Emotions & Workplace Dynamics 00:24:35 - Shouting Out the Support Systems (Shops & Husbands!) 00:31:00 - Old School vs. New School Grooming: How Industry Equipment Has Changed 00:33:38 - Outro: Like, Subscribe, and Stay Tuned! #PetGrooming, #GroomingBusiness, #DogGroomer, #1099vsW2, #HairOfTheDogPodcast

    Hair of the Dog Episode 4: The Real Business of Pet Grooming
  3. May 14

    Hair of the Dog Episode. 2: Grooming Basics, Real Talk & The “Goldendoodle” Cocktail

    Join Sarah and Leah for Episode 2 of Hair of the Dog, the podcast specifically for dog groomers and dog-themed cocktail enthusiasts. In this episode, we mix up "The Goldendoodle"—a refreshing blend of cranberry juice, triple sec, and champagne. In this episode, Sarah and Leah keep it real as they dive into the foundation of the grooming industry, sharing how they got started, the importance of being a bather, and the raw truth about working your way up. They also introduce their signature dog-themed cocktail — the “Goldendoodle” — and bring their signature unfiltered humor to the realities of the grooming world (yes, including the tough moments and lessons learned along the way). If you’re new to grooming, thinking about getting into the industry, or just love behind-the-scenes stories from experienced groomers, this episode is packed with insight, laughs, and honesty you won’t hear anywhere else. ✨ In this episode, you’ll learn: Why starting as a bather is essential in groomingWhat it really takes to become a skilled groomerThe highs, lows, and humor of the grooming industryHow these two groomers found their way (even after trying other careers)⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome back to Episode 2 00:30 – What “Hair of the Dog” is all about 01:00 – Meet your hosts: Sarah & Leah 01:30 – The vibe: groomers, dogs, and a little liquor 02:00 – Introducing the “Goldendoodle” cocktail recipe 03:15 – Filming multiple episodes in one session (behind the scenes) 04:00 – Life as dog groomers (and being covered in dog hair) 05:00 – “Are we crazy?” – the realities of the industry 06:30 – The chaos and humor of grooming life 08:00 – Career pivots: trying different paths before grooming 10:00 – Why other industries didn’t stick 12:00 – The truth about income and career expectations 14:00 – Back to basics: how groomers actually get started 15:30 – The importance of being a bather first 17:00 – Why the foundation matters more than people think 19:00 – Hard lessons from early grooming days 21:00 – Tough love in the grooming industry 23:00 – Real talk: criticism, growth, and resilience 25:00 – Final thoughts and setting the stage for future episodes

    Hair of the Dog Episode. 2: Grooming Basics, Real Talk & The “Goldendoodle” Cocktail

Trailers

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When two dog groomers come together....drinks happen!! We share stories about dog grooming and also share beverages that are dog related!!